£71,288 (Band 14) plus market supplement available, depending on experience
 
Do you want to make a difference?
 
At Eastleigh, we are proud of what we have achieved. As a medium-sized district council employing over 500 staff and supporting around 140,000 residents with a £65 million turnover and big ambitions, we have delivered a range of major projects and initiatives, ensuring we continue to be progressive and innovative in our approach whilst delivering a high-quality service to our customers and the community.
 
Here at Eastleigh Borough Council, we are committed to making a positive difference for all the residents, businesses and visitors to Eastleigh, and we are proud to be delivering on our promise to lead and support Eastleigh Borough and its communities by developing a strong and sustainable economy that supports improved standards of living for residents, promoting thriving and healthy communities, and maintaining an attractive and sustainable environment that residents value.
 
We are looking for a dynamic, motivated and experienced Head of Legal Services to lead and direct our well-respected in-house Legal Team in all aspects of law in connection with the Council’s functions. The successful candidate will also be appointed as Deputy Monitoring Officer and Data Protection Officer.
 
Your new role
As the Head of Legal Services, you will leverage your dynamic experience in providing robust due diligence, legal support and advice with an ability to apply lateral thinking and consider diverse perspectives. Reporting to the Service Director of Governance and Support (Monitoring Officer), you will be the Council’s most senior professional qualified solicitor, leading an in-house team of qualified lawyers and specialists on all aspects of law.
 
You will be responsible for delivering a professional and ‘best-in-class’ legal service, including inputting into corporate strategy and policy, leading the development and implementation of this. Additionally, you will oversee compliance with Data Protection legislation and information governance throughout the Council.
 
What you need to succeed

• Educated to degree level or extensive equivalent experience
• Qualified solicitor or barrister
• Membership of the Law Society or registered to practice with the Bar Standards Board
• Extensive working knowledge of legal working practices and methodologies at a senior level
• Experience in understanding local government work and making legal representations
• Solid understanding of statutory and regulatory compliance
• Dynamic, innovative, confident, able to challenge others, open, perceptive and a strong communicator
• Proven ability to undertake complex legal cases and provide expert advice on a range of matters within local government
• Passionate about the role and local government
• A high level of resilience and a strong background in delivery
• Extremely capable in managing multiple competing priorities without slippage
• Strong personnel management experience and the ability to adapt your management style to meet the differing needs of your team

About us
In return, you will be working with a great team in an organisation that is truly committed to a flexible, inclusive and enjoyable work environment. We are passionate about personal and professional development for all staff, offering exceptional conditions of employment as an accredited Living Wage Employer, plus the chance to make a lasting difference to the community of Eastleigh.
 
Our benefits include:

• Hybrid working with on average 2 days working in the office
• 31 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Flexible working arrangements and the ability to accrue up to 2 days’ additional leave per month (subject to operational requirements – pro rata for part-time staff)
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• Places Leisure, Eastleigh – 30% off full membership
• Confidential employee advice and support programme
• Car and season ticket loans
• Excellent working environment
• Support for continuous professional development

If you have the skills, experience and motivation we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
 
For further information, please contact Jo Cassar, Service Director – Governance Support (Monitoring Officer) on joanne.cassar@eastleigh.gov.uk.
 
Closing date: 27 May 2025

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