At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal and governance services, ensuring ethical decision-making and compliance.
- Company: South Gloucestershire Council, committed to community and effective governance.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing support, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to equality, diversity, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape modern governance and make a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with strong leadership and governance experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
As Service Director Legal, Governance and Democratic Services Monitoring Officer, you will play a pivotal strategic leadership role at the heart of South Gloucestershire Council and will be central to shaping modern, responsive and proportionate governance arrangements that support innovation, pace and organisational change.
Acting as the council's statutory monitoring officer and chief legal adviser, you will help ensure that the authority operates lawfully, ethically and transparently, enabling confident decision making that delivers real benefit for residents.
Shaping and leading a complex and high profile portfolio for legal, governance and democratic services, you will maintain a strong professional presence and trusted relationships with elected members, senior leaders and partners. Through your leadership, you will strengthen governance, manage risk, support effective scrutiny and safeguard the council's reputation, while enabling innovation, transformation and inclusive service delivery.
What you will be doing
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Legal, Governance and Democratic Services Division, ensuring statutory, constitutional and legislative compliance within a politically led organisation.
- Act as the council's monitoring officer, promoting high standards of governance and ethical conduct, providing authoritative advice on complex, sensitive and high risk matters.
- Lead and develop professional teams across legal, democratic, electoral, registration and governance services, embedding a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Provide trusted, evidence led advice to members and senior officers, supporting effective scrutiny, transparent decision making and sound risk management.
- Oversee and modernise the constitution and governance frameworks, ensuring they are clear, accessible and aligned with the council's operating model and strategic ambitions.
What we need from you
- A qualified solicitor or barrister with substantial post qualification experience in providing legal, governance and constitutional advice within a complex, politically led organisation.
- A strong track record of strategic leadership, governance redesign and organisational change, with the ability to influence across professional, managerial and political boundaries.
- Experience of shaping governance arrangements to support continuous improvement, transformation and confident decision-making.
- Highly developed communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the confidence to give clear, independent and evidence based advice under pressure.
- Substantial experience of risk management, assurance and ethical governance, supporting sound decision making and protecting organisational reputation.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, alongside leadership on climate and carbon neutral ambitions.
- Experience at monitoring officer level, involvement in regional or national policy development, and knowledge of emerging areas such as data protection and AI governance would be advantageous.
What you need to know
- This post is politically restricted.
- The role requires flexibility, including attending evening meetings and occasional weekend working to support democratic processes.
- You will be required to join the council's Emergency Coordination Officer rota as a strategic lead responder and full training will be provided.
How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
We value our people and invest in their development, offering high quality leadership support and learning opportunities that make a lasting difference. The strength of the senior leadership culture is collaborative, supportive and committed to doing the right thing for our communities. We welcome candidates who are energised by improvement, comfortable leading through change and motivated by the opportunity to shape effective governance in a modern council.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from everyone and ensuring people are selected and developed on merit. Our benefits package includes generous annual leave, wellbeing support and access to a wide range of staff discounts.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here. We are shaping strong communities, supporting democracy and good governance, and ensuring the Council operates with integrity and confidence. We are providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained. We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. Be part of it!
Service Director - Legal and Governance Monitoring Officer - Yate employer: South Gloucestershire Council
South Gloucestershire Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the development and well-being of its staff, offering high-quality leadership support and a collaborative work culture. With a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, employees are empowered to lead through change and make a meaningful impact on the community. The generous benefits package, including ample annual leave and well-being support, further enhances the rewarding experience of working in a role that shapes effective governance and supports democratic processes.
Contact Details:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Director - Legal and Governance Monitoring Officer - Yate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's recent initiatives and challenges. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference at South Gloucestershire Council.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for governance and how you can contribute to the council’s goals. Confidence is key, so rehearse your answers to common interview questions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Director - Legal and Governance Monitoring Officer - Yate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Service Director. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your strategic leadership experience shine through. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or projects, especially in governance and legal contexts, to demonstrate your capability.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Gloucestershire Council
✨Know Your Governance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest governance frameworks and legal requirements relevant to local councils. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about ensuring ethical conduct and transparency.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams through change or complex projects. Highlight your ability to influence across different professional and political boundaries, as this is crucial for the Service Director role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to risk management or ethical dilemmas. Think through your responses in advance, focusing on how you would provide evidence-based advice while maintaining high standards of governance.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Inclusion
Given the emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusion, be prepared to discuss how you've championed these values in your previous roles. Share specific initiatives or strategies you've implemented to promote a diverse and inclusive environment.
