Overview
This is a pivotal leadership position, providing expert legal advice across the Council, managing a high-performing legal team, and supporting governance as Deputy Monitoring Officer. You\'ll play a key role in shaping legal strategy, ensuring compliance, and supporting major projects and legislative changes.
Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the Legal Services team, ensuring high-quality legal support across all service areas.
* Provide strategic legal advice on complex issues including procurement, contracts, planning, and governance.
* Act as training principal for legal apprentices and trainees.
* Attend and advise at Council, Cabinet and Committees as required.
* Instruct external legal specialists and manage substantial budgets.
* Support the Monitoring Officer in upholding standards of conduct and lawfulness.
* Drive service improvements and contribute to corporate goals.
Are you a qualified solicitor with a passion for public service and a track record of strategic legal leadership? Folkestone & Hythe District Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Legal Services to lead our legal team and act as Solicitor to the Council. Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years post-qualification experience.
* Proven leadership in legal services, with expertise in at least three areas such as procurement, contracts, property, planning, or litigation.
* Strong governance knowledge and ability to advise senior stakeholders.
* Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
* Experience with legal software and systems (e.g., IKEN, Westlaw, Land Registry portal).
Benefits
Why Join Us
In return, we are offering you a chance to thrive and further your career development with a range of regular management and other learning & development sessions whilst your role enables you to make a lasting impact on the Folkestone & Hythe District. Folkestone & Hythe is a dynamic and innovative place to live, work and visit. Recognised by Best Companies as an outstanding organisation to work for, we have a focus on wellbeing and staff development. Our benefits include:
* Flexible Working: Embrace a culture that supports agile and hybrid working arrangements.
* Generous Leave: Enjoy up to 31 days of holiday plus bank holidays, a flexi-time scheme, birthday leave, and Christmas office closure.
* Pension Scheme: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
* Family-Friendly Initiatives: Benefit from a range of family-friendly policies and support.
* Health & Wellbeing: Participate in health and wellbeing initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
* Additional Perks: Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions, salary sacrifice schemes, corporate membership discounts, and free office parking.
We have a hybrid working approach with an expectation that you will work from the Civic Centre in Folkestone at least one day per week.
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