Job Introduction
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this person will have the opportunity to contribute across a wide span of organisational activity, working to ensure transparency and legality of decision making.
As the organisation’s chief legal adviser, your professional analysis and advice will be integral to correct interpretation of the constitutional role of West of England Combined Authority and its various interactions and potential crossovers with partner organisations. It is this complexity that makes this such an exciting opportunity – one that demands a deft and nuanced approach, drawing on sound legal knowledge, but also making full use of negotiation, influence and relationship building to navigate towards consensus.
Political skills and awareness will be key, and we expect that you will already have operated within a local government setting. You’ll be adept at keeping stakeholders focused on long-term objectives, while presenting pragmatic options to work through short-term issues.
You’ll manage a relatively small legal team, so there will often be a need for you to get close to the detail while also utilising a network of external legal companies, while drawing on highly effective leadership skills to draw the best from your colleagues and develop the potential in others.
You’ll be the Statutory Monitoring Officer and Chief Legal Officer to the Regional Mayor, Chief Executive Officer and the Corporate Leadership Team and act as the board-level lead for all Democratic Services across the West of England Combined Authority.
You will need to have an LLB or equivalent legal qualification and be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister. It’s essential that you possess a keen appreciation of the links between constitution, governance, policy and strategy within a local government setting and you should already have experience of working as a Statutory Monitoring Officer.
To apply or find out more visit www.looktothewest.co.uk