Interim Head of Legal (4-6 Months)

Company: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Apply for the Interim Head of Legal (4-6 Months)
Location: Ancoats
Job Description:

Job Description

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Your new companyn You will be joining one of the largest in-house local authority legal teams in the UK, the team provides high-quality legal services across multiple local authorities and combined authorities, supporting a wide range of public sector functions. This opportunity sits within a significant and wide-ranging legal division covering key service areas across people, place and regulatory matters. The division brings together five specialist teams: Adults Social Care and Education, Employment and General Law, Housing, Litigation, and Regulatory & Licensing.

Your new rolen As Interim Head of Legal, you will provide strategic leadership across the group, reporting directly to the Assistant Director. You will also deputise as required at a senior level, representing Legal Services internally and externally.n You will lead and oversee a broad portfolio of complex legal work, ensuring high-quality delivery across multiple disciplines. The role requires strong corporate leadership, effective stakeholder management, and the ability to manage competing priorities and projects simultaneously.n This is a highly visible position where you will engage with senior officers, elected members, and external partners, often dealing with sensitive and high-profile matters.

What you'll need to succeedn To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

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  • Proven experience operating at a senior level within a local authority legal environment
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  • Strong collaborative and corporate leadership skills
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  • Significant experience handling complex legal matters across one or more areas of people, place and regulation
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  • Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with relevant litigation rights
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In addition, you will bring:

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  • High levels of political awareness and the ability to influence at senior levels
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  • Excellent communication skills and a solution-focused, innovative approach
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  • Experience managing multiple projects to tight deadlines and budgets while maintaining exceptional quality standards
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  • A track record of building and maintaining effective client relationships, often involving sensitive issues
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  • Experience leading multidisciplinary legal teams within a large and complex organisation
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What you need to do nown If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV,

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Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays

Posted: July 12th, 2026