Interim Governance Lawyer

Location: Hybrid working (attendance at meetings required)
Contract: Interim - Long-term opportunity
Hours: Full-time preferred
Day Rate: Negotiable, dependent on experience

We are seeking an experienced Interim Principal Governance Lawyer to support the Director of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer during a pivotal period of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in one of the most significant local government transformation programmes in recent years. Working closely with the Director of Law and Governance, you will help shape the governance framework for the future unitary authority while also supporting a broad portfolio of corporate governance work.

This is expected to be a long-term interim assignment.

The Role:

You will provide strategic legal and governance support to the Director of Law and Governance/Monitoring Officer, assisting in delivering the governance arrangements required for the establishment of both the Shadow Authority and the Future Unitary Council.

Key priorities will include:

• Supporting the development of governance arrangements for the Future Unitary Authority.
• Advising on the creation and operation of Shadow Authority governance structures.
• Drafting and advising on constitutional documents, governance frameworks and decision-making processes.
• Supporting the establishment of Joint Committees and their governance arrangements.
• Advising on Member Allowances Schemes, Codes of Conduct and constitutional arrangements for both the Shadow Authority and the Future Unitary.
• Ensuring all governance arrangements are legally robust and operationally effective, meeting key programme milestones ahead of the Shadow Authority and Vesting Day.
• Supporting the legal service's internal readiness planning to ensure it is prepared for the transition to the Future Unitary.
• Working closely with senior officers, Members and programme leads across the organisation.

Alongside the LGR programme, you will also support the Director with a wider governance portfolio, including:

• Advising on corporate governance matters.
• Supporting the Council's Internal Audit function.
• Assisting with the review and redevelopment of the Corporate Governance Group and its governance framework.
• Providing high-quality legal and governance advice across a range of complex corporate matters.

Person specification:

You will be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with significant experience in local government governance.

You will have:

• Extensive experience advising local authorities on governance, constitutional and administrative law.
• A strong understanding of local authority decision-making and democratic governance.
• Experience supporting Monitoring Officers, Chief Officers and elected Members.
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to develop governance documentation from first principles.
• The confidence to advise senior stakeholders on complex and sensitive governance issues.
• Experience of Local Government Reorganisation, structural change or major transformation programmes would be highly desirable.

Working Arrangements:

This is a hybrid role offering flexibility to work remotely, with attendance at council offices and key meetings required when necessary.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced governance lawyer to contribute to the successful establishment of a new unitary authority while working alongside senior leaders on one of the most significant governance programmes in local government. Please apply now if you wish to be considered or contact Natalie Ferguson in our Manchester Office for more information.

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.