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- Tasks: Lead governance and legal compliance for Sutton Council, shaping its corporate direction.
- Company: Join the innovative London Borough of Sutton, known for community spirit and ambitious projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive environment for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant borough while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in local government law and governance.
- Other info: Part-time role with significant influence on high-profile initiatives like the London Cancer Hub.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Director of Law and Governance role at London Borough of Sutton.
About The Borough
Sutton is rapidly emerging as a key outer London borough. With big ambitions and a strong sense of community, we are proud of our record of innovation, stability, and collaboration. From the development of the world-leading London Cancer Hub to the regeneration of our High Street, we are shaping a borough that is vibrant, inclusive, and future-focused.
About The Role
As our Monitoring Officer, you will be the Council’s lead on governance, legal compliance, and ethical standards. You will work closely with the Chief Executive and the Section 151 Officer to ensure the highest standards of corporate governance and integrity. Our legal services are delivered through the South London Legal Partnership (SLLP), and you will oversee this key relationship, ensuring that the Council continues to receive high-quality, value-for-money legal support. This is a part-time role (approximately three days per week), but it offers a breadth of opportunity and influence that far exceeds its hours. As a key member of the Strategic Leadership Team, you will play a significant role in shaping the Council’s corporate direction and contributing to our most exciting and high-profile initiatives. With lots happening in the borough, you will be directly involved in the regeneration of Sutton’s High Street and the continued development of the London Cancer Hub—projects that are transforming the borough’s future. With London’s local elections on the horizon in May 2026, you will also play a vital role in ensuring robust governance and democratic integrity during this important period. You will be joining a Council with a long-standing, stable political and officer leadership team, where innovation is encouraged. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a flexible, senior leadership role.
About You
We are looking for a qualified solicitor or barrister with a current practising certificate and considerable experience advising senior officers and elected members. You will bring a deep understanding of local government law, governance, and the political landscape, alongside a collaborative and pragmatic approach. You will be someone who thrives in a leadership role, with the ability to influence across the organisation and beyond. You will be comfortable navigating complex legal and ethical issues, and passionate about supporting good governance and democratic accountability. This role offers the chance to make a real difference in a borough that values innovation, partnership, and community. If you are looking for a flexible senior leadership role where you can contribute to exciting, high-impact work while keeping a healthy work-life balance, we would love to hear from you.
About Us
We are now looking for an experienced and motivated legal professional to join our senior leadership team as our new Director of Law & Governance (Monitoring Officer). This is a rare and exciting opportunity to take on a pivotal statutory role as part of our growing and innovative borough.
Our Offer To You
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across - however big or small - will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team. In addition, we offer a modern and flexible working environment for our staff, supported by our IT infrastructure, including Google Chromebooks and Google Apps. Our Flexible Working - Smarter Working Scheme embraces new ways of working. It provides improved work life balance for our staff as it allows staff to work from a variety of locations and staff are not required to work within the office 5 days a week.
Employees have access to a wide range of benefits, some of which include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply)
- General Council Flexi-time (Please note, this applies to roles at grades 1-9 only)
- Public Health Service Localised Flexi-time Scheme - accrual of up to 5 days per year
- Three volunteering days per year in Sutton
- Comprehensive learning and development programme
- Local and national discounts for shopping, eating out and leisure activities
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Car parking scheme
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
- Zip car scheme
- Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
- Confidential wellbeing and counselling support
- Subsidised gym membership
Application Process
Important: Please note that GatenbySanderson is working as our Recruitment Partners for this role and managing the end to end recruitment process. For a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson: Frazer Thouard (07834 810 743) or Becky Downs (07831 116 336). Please apply online via this link on GatenbySanderson website outlining what skills, abilities and experience you can bring which makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Please ensure you refer to the requirements outlined in the job profile when completing your application.
Hiring managers are encouraged to ensure that their interview panel is diverse, and representative of a range of protected characteristics, to help remove unconscious bias and ensure candidates are treated fairly during the selection process. Some characteristics may not be obvious, but our panels are diverse wherever possible. We have a number of measures in place to inform and support our approach, including mandatory EDI and unconscious bias training for all staff, safer recruitment training for diverse panel members, engaging with our staff networks and encouraging allyship. We are fully committed to removing barriers and enhancing the diversity of our workforce.
Additional Information
We pride ourselves on being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming Borough and we aim to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve. We are respectful of difference and realise the positive value of diversity in our workforce. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce. As part of our Disability Confident Committed status, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, and inclusive staff networks who help drive our diversity agenda.
The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Important Information - Political Restrictions
This post has been deemed as politically restricted / sensitive and therefore applicants will be required to declare any interests that may be deemed political as part of their application.
Director of Law and Governance (London) employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
Contact Detail:
LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Law and Governance (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific governance and legal frameworks relevant to local government. Understanding the nuances of local government law will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the London Borough of Sutton or similar councils. Engaging with them can provide insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with high-profile projects, particularly those involving governance and legal compliance. Highlighting your past successes in similar roles will showcase your capability to handle the responsibilities of this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current issues affecting local governance and legal practices. Being knowledgeable about recent developments will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your proactive approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Law and Governance (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Director of Law and Governance position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities, required qualifications, and the specific skills that the London Borough of Sutton is looking for.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the role. Emphasise your background in local government law, governance, and any leadership roles you've held, ensuring it reflects how you meet the requirements outlined in the job profile.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only introduces yourself but also explains why you are the ideal candidate for this role. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your understanding of governance and legal compliance, as well as your ability to influence and lead.
Highlight Your Commitment to Diversity: Given the emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the job posting, make sure to mention your commitment to these values in your application. Discuss any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that support diversity and community engagement.
How to prepare for a job interview at LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Director of Law and Governance. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as overseeing legal compliance and governance, and be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with these duties.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior leadership position, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've influenced teams or projects in the past, particularly in legal or governance contexts, to illustrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Government Law
Given the specific focus on local government law in this role, brush up on relevant legislation and recent developments in the field. Being able to discuss current issues or changes in local governance will show your commitment and expertise.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interview Panel
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare insightful questions about the Council's vision, ongoing projects like the London Cancer Hub, and how they measure success in governance. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
