Director of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer

Salary: Up to £113,000

Location: Southend-on-Sea City / Hybrid

If you are an ambitious and inspirational senior leader with significant experience in managing complex legal services and one who thrives on driving improvement and culture change, this role could be perfect for you.

We are a dynamic and forward-thinking local authority, on a significant journey. Southend-on-Sea is a city like no other. It’s a vibrant, entrepreneurial, and can-do city, with a great cultural scene and a place of business enterprise, escapism and fun. We are committed to excellence, integrity, and innovation. As we continue our journey to success, we are seeking a Director of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer to join our team and play a crucial role in shaping our strategy and ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements.

We are looking for strong leadership from someone who has a track record of empowering others to achieve the best in governance and all-round decision making for the Council. You will be lead advisor to the Chief Executive, Executive Directors and elected members on all matters relating to constitutional services. You will be responsible for a range of Council services that includes:

• Monitoring Officer for the Council
• Legal services
• Land charges

As the Director of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, you will; undertake the statutory role of the Monitoring Officer for the City Council, lead and take responsibility for strategy and corporate matters. You will lead on the development of positive relationships with members, responsible for promoting good conduct and effective decision making with both internal and external stakeholders.

To achieve our goals, you’ll be a leader who innovates and can lead a high-quality team, support our corporate governance and the wider development of strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders. You will promote a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging creativity and the sharing of ideas and placing great importance on collaboration.

To be successful in this role you’ll bring experience of working at monitoring officer or deputy level; and be capable of providing balanced strategic advice and guidance in a political setting and be committed to working with elected members, partners, and communities.

For a confidential discussion please call Amin Aziz on 07709 514 141 or email: amin.aziz@penna.com or Rob Naylor on 07922 417 550 or email: rob.naylor@penna.com.

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