Director Of Legal Services And Monitoring Officer

£132,650 - £146,613 per annum
We are looking for a Director ofLegal Services and Monitoring Officer who will provide the leadership to ensure that Tower Hamlets is an exemplar of good governance.

This is one of the most exciting roles in local government as you will support the council and its services to deliver the best outcomes for people living and working in one of the most high-profile places in the country.

You will provide strategic direction, corporate leadership and advice on all matters relating to the Legal Service Directorate and to the responsibilities of the Monitoring Officer.

From housing developments to licencing, safeguarding to commercial enterprises you will have oversight on decisions and agreements. You will ensure that statutory requirements are met and that accelerated and sustained improvements in performance against are achieved. Ultimately you will keep the council safe in the decisions it takes.

As Director of Legal Services, you will also be designated as the Council’s Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer role is crucial to delivering excellent governance in Tower Hamlets. You will ensure that the Council acts within its Constitution, fulfils its statutory obligations, and applies its codes of conduct.

You will investigate and report anything which is potentially illegal or constitutes misconduct or maladministration. The Monitoring Officer is a vital member of the senior leadership team, providing legal advice to the Chief Executive and the S151 Officer.

We are looking for organisational leaders, not just specialist advisors. You will be working with the Chief Executive and Corporate Directors to implement our corporate aims and ensure probity, compliance and transparency. You will promote and embed our corporate responsibilities and contribute to the leadership of the Council, developing supportive relationships with the Executive Mayor and elected members to ensure that your advice and guidance is always respected and that the Council is kept safe.

Use your leadership skills to inspire and motivate

As our Director of Legal Services, you will report to the Chief Executive and will lead inspire and manage six Heads of Service:

• Head of Contracts and Commercial
• Head of Litigation
• Practice Manager
• Head of Safeguarding
• Head of Democratic Services
• Head of Electoral Services

You will have a solid track record of leading the delivery of local government Legal Services to the highest standards. Capable of engaging with senior and strategic level colleagues while building productive partnerships with key stakeholders, you’ll have led new ways of working while delivering cultural change in a large, complex organisation.

With a deep understanding of the external social and political environment, and the ability to translate this into organisational actions, you’ll be capable of balancing strategic leadership with effective operational management, and the ability to maintain a clear overview of the many issues you’ll deal with.

You will be skilled at fostering an open and trusting culture and dedicated to applying both discretion and initiative as you deal with complex issues. You’ll be a great negotiator and influencer, committed to adopting innovative working practices, who is engaging and approachable and can inspire the respect, trust and confidence.

You will manage budgets and income delivery targets, ensure opportunities for efficiencies are developed, and drive down spend where appropriate. It’s essential that you possess the skills to develop an organisational culture of high support/high challenge and support organisational development and training.

You will need to be politically sensitive with a strong belief in the value of local democracy and accountability. We’ll also expect you to have a strong commitment to our values, behaviours and champion an inclusive approach by promoting diversity and challenging discrimination.

Technical interviews: 19th – 23rd April
Closing date: 11 April 2024
For further information or to apply for the position please select the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.