Chichester District Council
Legal & Democratic Services Divisional Manager (Monitoring Officer)
Up to £88,183 per annum plus relocation package

Lead Chichester's Legacy and Help Shape West Sussex' Future
 
At Chichester District Council, we take great pride in leading the transformation of our vibrant city, located in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Our commitment to thoughtful and sustainable development positions Chichester as a beacon of opportunity on the South Coast—a place where residents, visitors, and businesses thrive. Here, heritage blends effortlessly with modernity, creating unparalleled opportunities for living, working, and leisure.
 
Chichester, along with our wider network across West Sussex, is a community with a big heart and even greater ambitions. This is an outstanding opportunity to work closely with one of the most dynamic and experienced senior leadership teams on the south coast.  As we move toward devolution and navigate the changing landscape of local government in West Sussex, this role offers you the chance to be at the forefront of shaping the future of both the council and the region. If you're seeking a challenge and an opportunity to position yourself at the heart of the new local government landscape, this is your moment.
 
About the role
As you step into this role, you will inherit a well-established legal function within a stable and dynamic political environment, presenting an exciting opportunity to lead and innovate. Working closely with both the Chief Executive and the S151 Officer, you will be part of a vital leadership team, ensuring cohesive and strategic decision making. As the guardian of our legal standards, you will be responsible for upholding the highest levels of compliance and ethics making a key contribution to major initiatives that support regeneration, environmental sustainability, social wellbeing, and financial foresight. Your role will also involve managing complex legal challenges, including joint ventures and commercial projects, where your strategic and commercial acumen will be instrumental to your success. You will be a crucial voice in shaping policies and guiding our council through its next chapter as we prepare for significant local government reform.
 
About you
To succeed in this role, you will need to be a legal expert with experience in managing complex legal services. You should possess strong leadership skills, with a proven track record of managing teams through change and delivering results. Your ability to navigate political dynamics with sensitivity and confidence will be critical, as will your skill in providing clear, sound legal advice to senior officers and council members. You will need to be resilient, able to speak truth to power, and capable of making difficult decisions with integrity. With strong commercial acumen and the ability to inspire and motivate, you will lead a service recognised as the best in their field, driving your team to achieve excellence and exceed expectations.
 
Why Chichester?
At Chichester District Council, we believe in nurturing a supportive and collaborative work environment where innovation thrives. Our staff satisfaction ratings are high, reflecting a culture that values teamwork, open communication, and a balanced approach to work and life. With a blend of in-office and remote work opportunities, we ensure that our teams remain productive and connected. You will be joining a stable and respected council that is ready for the future.
 
This is an exciting time to be part of Chichester District Council, where your contributions will be valued, and your impact will be felt across our communities.
 
For more information about this exciting opportunity or to discuss your suitability, please contact:
Kembi Coakelin kembi.coakelin@gatenbysanderson.com / 07778 364191.
 
Closing date: 6 April 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.