Head of Legal Services

Service Care Solutions are recruiting on behalf of a local authority based in the Essex region who are seeking a Head of Legal Services on a permanent basis. Please find below further details regarding this opportunity.

Please note that this role requires office attendance 2 days per week.

The Role

• Lead and oversee the council’s Legal Services function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of local government matters.
• Act as Deputy Monitoring Officer, advising senior leaders and elected members on governance, constitutional matters, legal risk, and complex or politically sensitive issues.
• Manage and develop a multi-disciplinary legal team, driving performance, service improvement, and modern ways of working across the department.
• Oversee legal budgets, external counsel spend, and key supplier relationships to ensure value for money and efficient service delivery.

Person Specification

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or equivalent legal professional with substantial post-qualification experience, including time spent within local government or the wider public sector.
• Strong expertise in local authority governance, committee processes, and advising members within a political environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing legal teams, complex caseloads, and organisational change initiatives.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence at senior leadership level.

CV application deadline is Thursday 7th May.

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