• Contribute to the Council’s corporate strategic priorities and assist in ensuring that Legal Services supports those priorities.

• Support the Head of Service in leading, developing and managing the Council’s internal legal department thereby supporting the Director of Law and Democratic Services/Council Solicitor.

• Lead on the provision of strategic and legal decision making to senior officer across specialist area, supporting business changes to increase knowledge and compliance

• Lead, supervise and motivate a team of lawyers, allocate and manage work to achieve targets and optimum performance from team members. Effectively manage and organise personal caseload of complex legal matters.

• This role plays a key part in the discharge of the Director of Law and governance responsibilities including ensuring statutory and regulatory reporting and compliance of duties

• To be a key member of the leadership team, with the Director of Law and Governance and the Head of Legal for a distinct area of specialism and represent Legal and Legal Issues. Building effective relationships with Directors and their teams, engaging with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels to generate commitment to goals.

• To assist the Head of Service to ensure Legal Services is maintained as a team of professionally qualified and support staff providing high quality legal services to the Council, its partners and stakeholders, including Six Town Housing and other outside organisations with whom Legal Services has a contractual arrangement, taking responsibility for its organisation, administration, strategic and financial development and management.

• Be visible to staff and stakeholders and regularly undertake activities to engage and build trust with people involved in service, developing the legal knowledge and understanding of key stakeholders.

• To ensure the effective execution of legal work arising from the decisions of the Council and its Committees.

• Take ownership of building effective working relationships with other Team Leaders to ensure the Council’s Legal plans and priorities are aligned across the teams.

• Ensure positive personal and professional development of team members by tuition, personal example, strong leadership and effective performance management.

• Procure the delivery of relevant training to legal staff and clients in respect of specific subject related matters.

• To contribute to the production, monitoring and review of the Legal Services Service Plan.

• Build and maintain excellent client relations acting as a role model to achieve service and Council wide objectives.

• To Deputise for the Head of Legal Services, in their absence.

• To support the Head of Service in ensuring sound democratic decision making, good and effective governance and openness/access to information.

• To provide and ensure the provision of sound legal advice, assistance and representation, to Elected Members, Departments of the Council and other partners and stakeholders which will impact on the decisions and initiatives undertaken by them, together with the provision of advocacy when required.

• Act as a point of reference and give professional advice and training to other staff within Legal Services and their specialist area.

• Ensure compliance with quality systems adopted by the Legal Services Team.

• Ensure that cases are conducted within Case Management Software System operated by the Legal Services Team.

• Through personal example, open commitment and clear action, ensure diversity is positively valued resulting in equal access and treatment in employment, service delivery and communication.

• Attendance at board/transformation meetings across specialist area, liaising with Exec directors

• Barrister, Solicitor or CIlex level 6 or equivalent and 3 years PQE in the area of the post with practicing certificate.

• Demonstrable experience of managing or supervising a team within a legal department

• Significant experience of handling and prioritising a personal caseload of legal matters

• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines including court deadlines and timetables

• Excellent IT skills and experience of using case management systems.

• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to guide, motivate and develop your team.

• Extensive knowledge of law, legislation and application relevant to area of specialism

• Works well with elected members, executive directors and senior external staff.

• Ability to constructively challenge staff on legal and performance matters.

Post grade: SM2

Location: Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 0SW

Post hours: 37 per week, Monday to Friday 

Special Conditions: Attend meetings as required

Responsible to: Ruth Whittingham - Head of Legal Services

Responsible for: Leading, supervising and motivating a team of lawyers.

Internal Relationships: Elected Members, Chief Officers/Senior Management, Officers within all Departments of the Council and other related Council service providers e.g. ALMO’s, LATCO’s, schools, etc

External Relationships: Solicitors in private practice, Counsel, Government Departments, Other Local Authorities, Court Officials, Members of Parliament, Members of the public and Outside Agencies and Professional Bodies, Medical and other expert witnesses; other professional persons. 

• Please submit your CV via email to nstoate@venngroup.com along with a brief supporting statement.

• Please detail any employment or education gaps.