At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal and democratic services, providing expert advice and ensuring compliance.
- Company: Three Rivers District Council, a vibrant area with a mix of countryside and business.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equal opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance and lead a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in local government legal services and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 81192 - 89989 £ per year.
Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
About Us
Three Rivers District in South West Hertfordshire straddles the north west corner of the M25 on the edge of Greater London. The district is a mixture of beautiful countryside, villages and small towns. The area has a diverse range of sectors and businesses and is a centre for the film industry with Warner Brothers at Leavesden forming part of a studio cluster along with Elstree and Pinewood at a short drive away.
At a glance:
- 700 historic assets and 22 conservation areas, with 77% of the district in the Green Belt
- 1,914 NNDR registered businesses with the economy providing 39,000 jobs
- Very low crime rate
- The district ranks highly for business registrations and start‑ups, with a highly skilled and trained workforce and high employment levels, with GVA and weekly earnings above average
The Benefits
- Salary of £81,192 - £89,989 per annum, plus £5,000 Monitoring Officer allowance
- 29 days’ holiday per annum, rising to 31 days
- Generous employer pension contribution
- Life assurance
- Flexible working
- Career development opportunities
- Free on‑site parking
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme
- Discounted leisure centre membership
- Employee volunteering schemes
- Access to discounted activities and days out
The Role
As an Associate Director, you will provide strategic leadership for our legal, governance and democratic services. Acting as a Statutory Monitoring Officer and Senior Legal Advisor, you will provide expert legal and governance advice to Members and Officers, ensuring compliance with legislation, promoting high standards of conduct and supporting effective corporate decision‑making.
You will lead and develop the Legal, Elections and Committee teams, driving service improvement, managing performance and ensuring effective governance, risk management and information governance arrangements.
Responsibilities:
- Attend Council and Committee meetings, providing legal advice and scrutinising reports
- Oversee complex Data Protection and Freedom of Information matters
- Develop service plans, performance targets and budgets for the Legal, Elections and Committee teams
- Maintain and improve our digital case management system
- Lead recruitment, performance management and professional development across the service
- Act as Company Secretary to our companies, where required
About You
- Substantial experience leading high‑quality legal services within Local Government
- Significant senior management experience within a complex organisation
- Experience engaging with senior leaders and building productive stakeholder relationships
- Experience leading organisational change and securing stakeholder support
- A proven track record of developing and implementing business plans, policies and strategies
- A thorough understanding of the Monitoring Officer role
- A thorough understanding of Local Government Law
- Strong strategic leadership and operational management skills
- Excellent negotiation, influencing and relationship management skills
- The ability to lead organisational change and inspire high performance
- Political awareness and the ability to manage complex policy issues
- Financial and commercial awareness, including effective budget management
- A good technological aptitude
- Qualification as a Solicitor or Barrister entitled to practise in England and Wales
The closing date for this role is 26th July 2026.
Webrecruit and Three Rivers District Council are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
Associate Director - Legal and Democratic Services in Rickmansworth employer: Three Rivers District Council
Three Rivers District Council is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque area of Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, where a supportive and close-knit team culture thrives. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including flexible working, and a fulfilling work environment, our staff consistently report high levels of job satisfaction and meaningful engagement in their roles. Join us to make a real difference in the community while enjoying a rewarding career in the public sector.
Contact Details:
Three Rivers District Council Recruitment Team
