Deputy Director of Legal Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer

Deputy Director of Legal Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer

Primary Purpose
The primary purposes of the Deputy Director of Legal Services are:

• To lead the delivery of Legal Services within the Client
• Ensuring that the service is effective, fit for purpose and in line with the Clients requirements
• Through proactively leading, managing, planning and organising the workflows of the service
• Becoming a core member of the Law and Governance Management Team
• Providing operational and strategic vision, strong leadership and support as the key management role in the service
• Ensuring that the service is run in the most cost effective and efficient way
• Raising the profile of our clients Legal Services internally, regionally and nationally through collaborative working, professional networking and innovation in solutions.
• To act as the Deputy Monitoring Officer for the Client.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A qualified solicitor or barrister and member of a specified legal body, and substantial post qualification experience at senior level in a large organisation. - Essential

Experience

• A substantial track record of success at senior management level as a solicitor or barrister, within a large, complex organisation
• Evidence of a clear understanding of the legal, financial and political framework of local government, and a record of successful application of relevant legislation and appropriate business management to achieve corporate and service objectives.
• Experience of leadership within large and diverse organisation, which demonstrates achievement at a senior, strategic & corporate management level
• Strategic management experience, including translating organisational drivers into strategic objectives, longer term plans, new ways of working and specific outcomes, for a service in a large public sector organisation (preferably local government)
• Experience of leading staff across multiple practice areas

Skills

• Ability to apply relevant laws, including law relating to local government and local authority administration, local government finance, property, social services, data protection and freedom of information, discrimination and harassment, employment and industrial relations, environment, education and civil litigation.
• Exceptional political nous with the ability to apply diplomacy, tact and discretion in challenging situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and orally and present arguments in a confident, articulate and persuasive manner at a senior level
• Resilience, not easily deterred in the face of challenges
• Ability to think critically, apply innovative and creative thinking to address complex service challenges
• Strong interpersonal and communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences both horizontally and vertically, financial and non-financial
• Able to lead, inspire and motivate employees and generate a positive working environment

*Local Authority experience an advantage

Rate of Pay

PAYE: £330

Umbrella: £466

Location: London, Islington, N1 1XR