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- Tasks: Lead legal services, providing expert advice on complex matters and ensuring governance standards.
- Company: Join a thriving district council in beautiful Leicestershire with a strong community spirit.
- Benefits: Impactful leadership role with opportunities for career development and influence on strategic decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while shaping legal services and governance.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in local authority legal advice.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on transformation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Harborough is a thriving, diverse district in the south of rural Leicestershire, combining vibrant market towns with beautiful countryside and strong community spirit. We are ambitious for our district and committed to delivering excellent services that make a real difference to residents and businesses.
This is an exciting time to join us. With a strong focus on governance, transformation, and partnership working, we are looking for a dynamic and experienced legal professional to lead our Legal Services, Procurement and Information Governance functions.
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive and as a key member of our senior leadership team, you will ensure that your service provides expert legal advice on complex and sensitive matters, including commercial contracts, property, planning, litigation, and public law. You will also act as Deputy Monitoring Officer, ensuring the highest standards of conduct and governance across the organisation.
With scope to shape the service you will oversee service improvement, efficiency, and resilience, supporting transformation and digital innovation. As part of your wider leadership role you will work collaboratively with elected members, senior officers, and external partners to deliver our corporate priorities, including supporting our work in shaping LGR for the county.
We are seeking a qualified solicitor or barrister with significant experience of providing complex legal advice in a local authority setting. It will be important that you can demonstrate political awareness, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders.
This role would be well-suited to an experienced senior lawyer who is seeking their first role as a head of service. We are committed to supporting and developing our staff and would be delighted to assist your ongoing career development including opportunities to deputise for the Monitoring Officer.
This is a leadership role where your expertise will have a direct impact on the Council’s success and reputation. You will enjoy a varied and challenging portfolio, the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, and the chance to make a real difference for our communities.
For more information and to apply, please visit starfishsearch.com or contact Tom Ripley (07701 217 520 or tom.ripley@starfishsearch.com) or Emily Lockwood (0113 360 7612 or emily.lockwood@starfishsearch.com).
Closing date: 15th February 2026
Preliminary interviews: 23rd February 2026
Final interviews: w/c 9th March 2026
Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer in Market Harborough employer: Connected Local Government
Contact Detail:
Connected Local Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer in Market Harborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in local authorities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's recent projects and challenges. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their goals. Plus, it gives you great talking points during the interview!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlighting your ability to drive change and improve services will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer in Market Harborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in local authority legal matters. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Legal Services, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect how you can effectively convey complex legal concepts.
Highlight Leadership Experience: As a key member of our senior leadership team, we’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire. Be sure to include examples of your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connected Local Government
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key areas of law relevant to the role, such as commercial contracts, property, and public law. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or scenarios where you've provided legal advice in these areas.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a potential head of service, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Think of examples where you've led a team or project, especially in a local authority context, and be ready to share how you foster collaboration and drive results.
✨Understand the Organisation's Goals
Familiarise yourself with the council's corporate priorities and how the legal services function supports them. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also in contributing to the wider objectives of the organisation.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working closely with elected members and external partners, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder environments in the past.
