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- Tasks: Lead the Legal and Governance team, ensuring the Council meets its legal obligations.
- Company: Join East Devon District Council, a Gold Investors in People organisation committed to community and service excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, health and wellbeing perks, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team making a real impact in the community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified solicitor or barrister with management experience and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: This role is politically restricted and offers a chance to influence local governance.
The predicted salary is between 72686 - 81742 £ per year.
Assistant Director Legal & Governance
£72,686 – £81,742 per year
Permanent
Full time with a range of flexibilities, including hybrid working, aligned to our Worksmart arrangements
Honiton
About the role
We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced local authority lawyer to join us and manage our Legal and Governance team. In this pivotal role, you will support the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer in ensuring that the Council fulfils its legal obligations and statutory duties. The successful candidate will be a member of the Council’s Senior Leadership team and will be responsible for providing strategic and constitutional advice, manage the legal, democratic, elections and procurement teams, supporting the delivery of the Council’s objectives and promoting our values.
This post is politically restricted.
About you
You will be qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales and have a management qualification or equivalent experience, sound knowledge of local authority standing orders and of dealing with Member Code of Conduct complaints and of advising senior officers and members. You will have strong leadership and team management skills, excellent verbal and written communication abilities and the ability to think strategically and creatively. You will also have experience of conducting complex litigation including judicial reviews.
About us
Our recent Local Government Association Peer Challenge highlighted that ‘EDDC is a great place to work, with engaged staff and members’ and that’s certainly true! You will be part of a Gold Investors in People (IiP) organisation which works together with local people to create great value services and an outstanding community, economy and environment in which people want to live, work, visit and enjoy now, and for future generations. And with our wide range of health and wellbeing benefits, our highly flexible and collaborative hybrid Worksmart working arrangements as well as our commitment to continuous learning and development, you can be confident of joining a dedicated community of colleagues who are Happy, Healthy and Here.
For more about working for East Devon District Council, visit
For an informal discussion, please contact Melanie Wellman, Director of Governance on 01395 571688
or email
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Assistant Director Legal & Governance employer: EAST DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL
Contact Detail:
EAST DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director Legal & Governance
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in local government law. Attend relevant seminars or workshops where you can meet current employees or leaders in the field. This can give you insights into the role and help you make valuable connections.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific legal challenges faced by local authorities, particularly in your area. Understanding these issues will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to the Council's objectives during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences in managing teams. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team through complex legal matters or governance challenges, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the East Devon District Council’s recent initiatives and values. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs will demonstrate your commitment and fit for the organisation during discussions.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director Legal & Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Assistant Director Legal & Governance position. Familiarise yourself with local authority legal obligations and the specific challenges faced by the Council.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in local authority law, management qualifications, and your ability to provide strategic advice. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and experience in complex litigation.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your motivation for applying and how your background aligns with the Council's values and objectives. Be sure to mention your experience with Member Code of Conduct complaints and your approach to team management.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any errors or inconsistencies. Clear and professional communication is crucial, especially for a role that requires excellent verbal and written skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at EAST DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the responsibilities and expectations of the Assistant Director Legal & Governance position. Familiarise yourself with local authority standing orders and the specific legal obligations the council must fulfil.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role involves managing teams, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight any experience you have in managing legal, democratic, elections, or procurement teams.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to think strategically and creatively. Be ready to discuss how you would approach complex issues, such as Member Code of Conduct complaints or judicial reviews, and provide examples from your previous experience.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, and consider preparing a few key points about your vision for the role and how you can contribute to the council's objectives.
