Shared Head of Legal Services

As a key member of our shared Legal Service for Broxbourne Borough Council and East Herts District Council, you will manage a varied and interesting planning law caseload.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert legal advice to the Planning Department, senior officers and elected Members on all matters relating to Town and Country Planning and associated legislation.
• Identifying and delivering innovative legal solutions to support colleagues in resolving complex planning issues and enabling effective decision making.
• Offering accurate, timely guidance to team members, client officers and Members on the full range of planning law matters.
• Working collaboratively with the Litigation team on planning enforcement matters, contributing to robust and effective enforcement action.
• Attending and advising at council committees and panels, particularly Planning Committee meetings, ensuring clear, robust and practical legal support.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with a solid understanding of local government.
• Experience negotiating and drafting agreements under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and other planning‑related agreements.
• Able to work effectively under pressure, using initiative and adopting a proactive, solutions‑focused approach to complex issues.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, enabling confident work with officers, elected Members and external professionals.
• Capable of managing own caseload to a high professional standard, responding quickly and accurately to urgent matters and consistently meeting deadlines.
• Experience working within a local government environment is desirable but not essential.
• Conscientiousness, hard‑working, self‑motivation, sound judgement and professionalism.
• Ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in fluent English is essential.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work‑life balance.
• Generous leave entitlement.
• Full training and development programme.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Free membership to the Council’s local leisure centres, including free access to gyms, swimming pools, fitness classes, racket‑sport sessions, a health suite and a range of generous discounts across other leisure and culture services.

We have adopted the core values of Teamwork, Innovation, Effectiveness and Respect (TIER).

Broxbourne Council is an Equal Opportunities employer.

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