Company: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Newry Mourne and Down District Council is now recruiting for an Assistant Director: Legal and People.
About NMDDC
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is one of the largest councils in Northern Ireland and has 41 elected members representing seven district electoral areas: Crotlieve, Downpatrick, Newry, Rowallane, Slieve Croob, Slieve Gullion and The Mournes.
The Council works in partnership with local communities and organisations – including the public, voluntary, community and private sectors – to develop a vision for our local area, working collaboratively to improve services and quality of life for all our citizens.
Job Summary
As a member of the Council’s Corporate Management Team, you will contribute proactively to the collective leadership for the council, working collaboratively with Members, services across the Council, partners and stakeholders, to deliver the Council’s objectives and priorities.
You will work in a corporate and collaborative way with the Senior and Corporate Management Teams, Trade Unions and other senior managers across the council and work as part of the directorate and departmental Senior Leadership teams, to contribute to departmental priorities and initiatives.
Additionally, you will drive positive cultural change, embodying and promoting the values and behaviours of the council and empowering everyone in your team to reach their full potential, ensuring that the performance and development framework is effective for all staff. You will also promote equality and diversity, by demonstrating an open commitment to and actively promoting and celebrating diversity, social inclusion and community cohesion, avoiding all forms of discrimination, both as an employer and a service provider.
In this role you will also lead on and ensure the effective implementation of corporate initiatives and transformation programmes that cut across the whole or part of the council’s activities, and act as an ambassador for the entire area by promoting a positive image and raising the profile of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
1. Be a qualified barrister or solicitor, who holds or is entitled to hold a Practising Certificate in Northern Ireland.
2. A minimum of 3 years’ experience of effectively contributing to strategic decisions of a complex organisation* and advising and influencing Senior Management** appropriately with regards to legal issues in at least two of the following areas:
* Providing general legal advice as a practicing lawyer
* Compiling legal contracts and agreements and managing the process to completion
* Conveyancing and dealing with any property related matters
* Conducting defence of public liability, employer’s liability, or road traffic claims, in County Court or High Court
* Managing the litigation process for a range of employment matters before Tribunals and providing legal advice on employment law issues
* Advising, drafting, and instituting proceedings relating to the recovery of debts
* Preparing for and issuing proceedings in respect of breaches of legislation
3. A minimum of 3 years’ experience of leading a team of staff and effectively managing a budget.
4. Able to demonstrate an up-to-date awareness of:
* Planning legislation in Northern Ireland
* Information governance law, particularly Data Protection and Freedom of Information
* Section 75 legislation as applicable to local government services.
5. Competent in the use of Microsoft packages, including Excel
6. Available to work outside normal office hours including evenings and weekends when required
7. Available to travel and attend evening and other meetings outside of office hours as required
8. Hold a full valid driving licence and have access to transport to meet the requirements of the post OR have access to transport to meet the requirements of the post
* Experience of working on Northern Ireland Planning Law related issues
* Experience in the provision of employment law advice, including tribunal experience.
** Senior Management is defined as equivalent to or above, tier 4 in local government.
If you require any further information, please contact Seb Lowe (Partner) at Gatenby Sanderson on 07464543442.
The closing date for applications is Friday 24th October at 12 Noon
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