At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice and manage a team to support the Council's legal needs.
- Company: Join a dynamic Council dedicated to serving the community with integrity and professionalism.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance while developing your legal expertise in a supportive setting.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified solicitor or barrister with extensive senior-level experience in legal matters.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence policy and work on high-profile legal issues within local government.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
To provide expert legal advice, assistance and support to the Council in the areas of specialism of the post at a complex/high profile level. Line management of in-house team of professional legal staff providing high quality legal services to the Council.
Responsibilities
- Relationship manager with internal and external clients, partnerships, alliances and outside bodies.
- Act as Deputy Monitoring Officer in the absence of the Head of Legal Services.
- Assist the Head of Legal/Assistant Director of Legal in the management of the department’s overall internal and external budget of approximately £6m.
- Deliver excellent value for money legal services within the jobholder’s special areas of responsibility.
- Monitor the outputs and inputs of Legal spend.
- Manage the clients Service Level Agreements.
- Act in a deputising role for the Head of Legal Services, covering all aspects and responsibilities of the post as required; represent the Head of Legal Services, the Department and the Council, both at internal working groups and at meetings between other Local Authorities and Central Government Departments on a range of technical and professional matters in their area of specialism.
- Contribute, advise and assist service, department and Corporate strategies by advising upon the legal impact of various options, including long-term implications and application of legislation, regulation and guidance.
- Be an expert in their area of specialism and have considerable experience of providing legal advice and assistance in these areas.
- Contribute to the effective development and implementation of the Council’s policies, procedures in response to new legislation or case law in their area of specialism, in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council in achievements of performance targets.
- Provide training on legal issues for Council members and staff as required from time to time.
Requirements
- A qualified solicitor / barrister / legal executive with a high level extensive experience of working at a senior level in and/or in project groups.
- Proven experience of working at a senior level with senior officers and providing legal advice in the context of political, controversial and sensitive matters.
- Knowledge of local government and administrative law and of Local Authority Trading companies.
- Ability to manage a budget includes financial monitoring within a Service Level Agreement.
Contact Detail:
Vox Network Consultants Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Principal Lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in local government and legal sectors. Attend relevant conferences or seminars where you can meet potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal challenges faced by local authorities. Understanding current issues and case studies will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing budgets and Service Level Agreements. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully navigated financial monitoring in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to work collaboratively with senior officers and stakeholders. Highlight any past experiences where you’ve provided legal advice on sensitive matters, as this is crucial for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Principal Lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant legal experience, particularly in local government and administrative law. Emphasise your senior-level work and any specific projects that align with the responsibilities of the Assistant Principal Lawyer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate your understanding of the role and how your expertise aligns with the Council's needs. Mention your experience in managing budgets and providing legal advice on sensitive matters, as these are crucial for this position.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since the role involves line management of an in-house team, highlight your leadership experience. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects, and how you’ve contributed to the development of policies or procedures.
Demonstrate Your Knowledge: Use your application to demonstrate your knowledge of current legislation and case law relevant to the role. Discuss how you have applied this knowledge in previous positions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within a legal context.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vox Network Consultants
✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your specific areas of legal specialism in detail. Highlight your experience in providing legal advice on complex and high-profile matters, as well as your understanding of local government and administrative law.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As an Assistant Principal Lawyer, you'll be managing a team. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure situations or when dealing with sensitive issues.
✨Understand the Council's Objectives
Research the Council's current policies and challenges. Be ready to discuss how your legal expertise can contribute to their strategic goals and enhance the efficiency of their operations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to navigate complex legal issues or manage client relationships effectively.