Job Title: Service Manager – Legal (Deputy Monitoring Officer)
Location: Lyndhurst
Salary: Band 11 (circa £64k–£72k)
Hours: Full-time & Hybrid
Contract: 6-month FTC (Very likely to go permanent)
About the Role
A fantastic opportunity has opened for an experienced and proactive legal professional to lead and manage Legal Services, Information Governance, and Corporate Complaints functions. This senior leadership role offers a high degree of autonomy, making it ideal for someone looking to make a meaningful impact at a strategic level.
As part of the role, you will act as Deputy Monitoring Officer, providing professional legal guidance to senior leaders, officers, and members in meetings, committees, and corporate decision-making. You will also mentor and develop your team to ensure high-quality service delivery across all areas.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage day-to-day legal, information governance, and corporate complaints functions.
- Provide expert legal advice across council functions, including commissioning external counsel where necessary.
- Act as Deputy Monitoring Officer, deputising and supporting the Monitoring Officer as required.
- Develop and implement policies, procedures, and strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
- Manage budgets, staff, and service delivery to ensure high standards of governance and compliance.
- Represent the service externally and contribute to corporate and strategic initiatives.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:
- An Admitted Solicitor or Barrister with extensive post-qualification experience.
- Experienced in managing and developing professional staff.
- Skilled in local authority law, including both civil and criminal proceedings.
- Confident in providing advice to senior officers, members, and committees.
- Strong in financial management, ICT, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making.
- A persuasive and collaborative leader, adaptable and flexible in approach.
- Able to work independently while contributing to corporate objectives.
Benefits
- Flexible hybrid working
- Temporary to permanent contract (Very likely to go permanent)
- Opportunity to lead a high-profile service and influence strategic decision-making
- Pension scheme and generous leave entitlement
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior legal professional seeking a strategic leadership role with autonomy and the chance to make a real impact across the organisation.