Head of Legal Services / Legal Services Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to join Guildford Borough Council’s established legal team, leading and ensuring excellent service delivery, while driving performance across the board. 

Reporting to the Joint Assistant Director, Legal Services & Information Governance, and working closely with the Principal Lawyers to lead the in-house legal team, you will have the opportunity to help shape the future whilst managing, supporting and developing the legal team to deliver high standards of legal advice and support to teams across the Council.  Motivating and developing the team you will support delivery of the Council’s corporate priorities. You will build excellent internal and external working relationships and ensure that the Council receives the highest quality of professional legal advice to enable service delivery to our community. 

The legal team at Guildford works closely, sharing knowledge and experience and supporting individuals to grow and develop.  The team regularly holds social events to bring the team together and celebrate their hard work and successes throughout the year.  It is a diverse team with a wide range of experience, and you will have the opportunity to develop your own skills whilst providing mentoring and guidance to colleagues.    

You must be a qualified solicitor, barrister, legal executive (Fellow) or equivalent.  You should have management experience or be able to demonstrate the skills and potential to successfully manage the legal team.  Significant continuous professional development and extensive knowledge and experience in local government law and practice are essential.

Although you will be based from our offices close to Guildford Town Centre, we offer flexible working and will consider both full time and part time applications.  

In return, we offer an opportunity to undertake interesting, varied and high-profile work, job satisfaction, training and work life balance.  In addition you will be rewarded with an attractive package of staff benefits which includes local government pension scheme membership, flexible work arrangements, remote working, generous leave, tax savings on child care costs, training and development, annual subscription for professional membership to a professional organisation and staff discounts.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the role, contact Claire Beesly, Joint Assistant Director Legal Services & Information Governance 01483 444144 and email claire.beesly@guildford.gov.uk.

Closing date for applications 24th Nov

Proposed date for interviews 28th Nov & 3rd De