Shape the Future, a City of Opportunity Peterborough is a city of opportunity – vibrant, fast-growing, and ambitious. As the second fastest-growing city in the UK and a key economic region outside London, we are proud of our diversity, resilience, and drive for inclusive growth. Our Corporate Strategy sets out a bold vision for regeneration, financial sustainability, and modernisation. We are now seeking a Director of Legal & Governance to lead our legal and democratic services and act as the Council’s Monitoring Officer. This is a key leadership role, reporting directly to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Corporate Leadership Team. You will provide strategic legal and governance advice across the organisation, ensuring our democratic processes are lawful, transparent, and effective. You will lead a broad portfolio including Legal Services, Democratic and Constitutional Services, Electoral Services, Information Governance, and Local Land Charges. You will also advise the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Police & Crime Panel and play a key role in shaping the council’s governance culture. You’ll be joining Peterborough at a time of transformation. Over the past three years, the council has undergone substantial change, with strengthened governance arrangements, a renewed collaborative culture between officers and members, and a clear commitment to continuous improvement. This progress was recognised nationally, leading to the conclusion of a period of external oversight and support from an independent improvement panel. While financial pressures remain – as they do across the sector – the council now has firmer foundations and a clear strategic direction, underpinned by a three-year financial plan and a refreshed Corporate Strategy. With major regeneration projects underway, including a £48m transformation of the Peterborough Station Quarter, and the insourcing of waste contracts on the horizon, this is a chance to lead legal and governance support for some of the most exciting work in local government. About you We are looking for a qualified solicitor or barrister with substantial post-qualification experience and a track record of operating at a strategic level in complex political environments. You’ll bring emotional intelligence, political acumen, and a collaborative approach to working with elected members, senior officers, and external partners. Whether you’re an experienced Monitoring Officer or ready to step up, you’ll need the drive, resilience, and strategic vision to lead change and deliver results. You’ll be responsible for a service of around 70 staff and a net budget of £4.7m. You’ll champion innovation, continuous improvement, and inclusion, and play a key role in embedding effective governance across the council. You’ll also act as a Senior Responsible Officer for major programmes. This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact in a council that’s modernising, inclusive, and ambitious. If you’re ready to lead with integrity and inspire confidence, we’d love to hear from you. For more information or to have a discussion about the role, please contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson: Frazer Thouard ( frazer.thouard@gatenbysanderson.com ) or Louise Bickley ( louise.bickley@gatenbysanderson.com ). Closing date: Sunday 9 th November. To apply please click the Apply Now link below.