At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal services and drive innovation for Harborough District Council.
- Company: Join a values-driven council making a real impact in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of legal services while mentoring a talented team.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with strong leadership and local government law experience.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 67236 - 71223 £ per year.
Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer
Harborough District Council
£67,236 – £71,223 plus up to a 10% golden hello
Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week)
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.
THE ROLE
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.
ABOUT YOU
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.
WHY JOIN US?
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 https://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: Sunday 15th February 2026
Preliminary interviews: 23rd February 2026
Final interviews: w/c 9th March 2026
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Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer employer: Harborough District Council
Contact Detail:
Harborough District Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience with local government. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Harborough District Council's recent projects and initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in making a difference in the community and how your skills align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the role and how you plan to drive service transformation. We want to hear how you’ll lead the team and innovate within the legal services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head of Legal Services. Highlight your relevant experience in legal services, procurement, and governance. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain how you meet the person specification. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We love seeing real examples!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a pivotal leader, it's important to demonstrate your leadership style and experience. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven service transformation in your previous roles. We’re all about collaboration and innovation!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our values-driven team at Harborough District Council!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harborough District Council
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on local government law and governance. Be prepared to discuss specific legal areas like contracts, property, and planning, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leading a team, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed legal teams in the past. Highlight your coaching and mentoring experiences to demonstrate your ability to develop talent.
✨Understand the Council's Vision
Familiarise yourself with Harborough District Council's Corporate Plan and their ambitious projects. Showing that you understand their goals and how you can contribute will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Politically Astute
Since this role involves working closely with elected members and senior officers, it's crucial to demonstrate your political awareness. Prepare to discuss how you've navigated complex stakeholder relationships in previous roles.
