Head of Legal Daventry, England
Job description
About the roleWould you like to add a career defining position to your CV? Join the brand new Legal Team at West Northants Council, one of the newest and the fourth biggest Unitary Council in England.
Following the creation of West Northants Council in 2021, the Council is redefining how it delivers legal services. In partnership with Trowers and Hamlins, we are recruiting three new Head of Legal positions to provide strategic legal leadership to the Council and act as business partners to the Council directorates;
Head of Legal (Place) will be responsible for Property, Planning, Highways and Regeneration.
Head of Legal (Corporate) will be responsible for Litigation, Contracts, Governance, Housing and Employment.
Head of Legal (People) will be responsible for Adults, Education, Mental Health and Public Health. This post is for an initial fixed term of 2 years with the potential to extend and become permanent.
What will you be doing?Each Head of Legal will lead a team of professionals as well as supporting the growth of the lawyers of tomorrow entering the profession. They will work on high profile cases with the Leadership Team and elected Members in a fast-paced environment. They will deputise for and support the Deputy Director Law and Governance in helping to develop a commercially focused, responsive legal service that is central to the Council achieving its ambitious plans.
About youIf you have experience in one or more of these areas, have a passion for delivering excellent legal services and want to help shape and deliver an exemplar local authority legal service we want to hear from you. Local Government experience is not essential, so if you are looking to change sector or return to work after a career break we are interested to hear from you.
About usWe’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.
Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.
The West Northants Legal Team is a great place to work. With a focus on career development, wellbeing, flexibility and support, this is an opportunity for you to take the next step on your career journey in a supported environment. We have mentoring, buddying, coaching, training and many other opportunities available to assist and develop you, as well as ongoing support from Trowers and Hamlins to ensure your success in the role.
When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.
Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.
West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
Our benefitsWe offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days annual leave per year, 28 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Car Lease scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
- Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
- Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.
The council is in the process of implementing a new pay structure and terms and conditions which will be applicable to this role. The outcome could result in a future variation to the advertised salary, and this will be discussed at interview.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temporary, Contract
Salary: £59,527.00 per year
