Head of Legal Services
*Location: Bury Town Hall/Agile
*Job Type: Interim (3-6 months)
*Day rate: £500 per day Umbrella
We are urgently seeking an interim Head of Legal Services to join our team at the Town Hall. This is a critical role where you will deputise for the Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer. The ideal candidate will have substantial local government experience and be ready to step into the role quickly to ensure a smooth handover from the current postholder.
Day-to-Day of the Role:
*Deputise for the Monitoring Officer and Council Solicitor in their absence.
*Lead, develop, and manage the Legal Services team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services to the Council, partners, and stakeholders.
*Provide sound legal advice, assistance, and representation to Elected Members and various departments within the Council.
*Ensure compliance with health and safety guidelines.
*Manage the department’s budget, including monitoring staff salaries and administrative costs.
*Oversee the security of all equipment, computer data, and software, and responsible for the development of IT within the department.
*Attend meetings as required with Chief Officers, Senior Officers, Elected Members, and other key stakeholders.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
*Qualified Barrister or Solicitor with significant post-qualification experience.
*Substantial knowledge and experience in local government law.
*Proven management skills, including financial management and staff development.
*Highly developed oral and written communication skills, capable of undertaking advocacy and making presentations to varied audiences.
*Experience advising elected members and senior officers on constitutional or complex legal matters.
*Ability to manage a large team and multiple responsibilities in a politically challenging environment.