Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer

The role where legal expertise meets leadership impact Are you ready to make a real impact in local government; At Chorley Council and South Ribble Borough Council we are proud of our successful shared services partnership. With over half of our workforce already part of the shared service, this is an exciting time to join us on our journey. We’re now looking for a legally qualified and inspiring leader to step into the role of Director of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer). Both Councils are ambitious, values-driven organisations with a clear focus on delivering outstanding services for our residents and communities. Our shared ethos is rooted in inclusion, wellbeing and continuous improvement. From our Equalities Champions Network to our regular wellbeing weeks, we put our people first. Our residents consistently rate the quality of life in our boroughs highly; With vibrant communities, beautiful green spaces and major investment in modernisation, this is local government at its best. With a shared workforce and aligned services, Chorley Council and South Ribble Borough Council are already operating in a way that mirrors future models of local government reorganisation (LGR). It’s an exceptional opportunity for a leader looking to develop their strategic insight and governance experience in preparation for the next phase of public service reform. You’ll lead a range of key corporate functions: legal, procurement, audit and risk, health and safety, and democratic services. Governance will be the heartbeat, and you’ll be central to upholding the highest standards across both organisations. You’ll also act as Monitoring Officer for both Councils, supporting elected members and managing the member complaints process. offering sound, impartial advice and you’ll help strengthen the dynamic relationships between officers and members. Now we need you to embed these into our operations and help shape our approach to contract management. Whether you’re already a Monitoring Officer or an experienced Deputy looking to step up, you’ll bring the judgement, integrity and communication skills needed to navigate complex issues and support effective decision-making. You’ll work closely with our Chief Executive and senior team, providing honest, constructive challenge and building strong, high-performing services. Experience in managing diverse teams, mentoring others, and driving service improvement will be key to your success. Midnight on Sunday 27th July To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV in Word or PDF format (up to three pages maximum), along with a separate supporting statement in Word or PDF format (up to two pages maximum) that addresses the criteria set out in the role profile, using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements. At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk . #