Ref No  W1504

Grade/Salary CWAC JNC – Grade 16, from £68,640 per annum to £76,148 per annum

Closing Date 6th October 2012

Lead, manage and develop the activities and functions of the Council’s Legal Services and ensure appropriate governance is in place to manage relationships with the Council’s group of companies.

Deputise for the Council’s Monitoring Officer to ensure that the Council meets its statutory and legal obligations, and that Members and services receive appropriate advice and support in order to secure the Council’s interests and help achieve its key strategic aims.

Undertake complex legal work and provide advice to the Council, elected members and officers.

Cheshire West and Chester Council brings a fresh and energetic approach to providing top quality services for its many customers and communities. West Cheshire is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is a dynamic organisation where everyone can play their part in securing a greener, healthier, fairer and more prosperous future for local people and businesses. With an inspiring and exciting programme of change and a high performing workforce, the council is working alongside communities to tackle big challenges. Through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment, you will be joining an organisation that has a fresh, collaborative and energetic approach.

We are recruiting for a Head of Legal Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer to provide effective leadership of our Legal Services Team.

This is a challenging and rewarding role within an ambitious unitary council where we can guarantee no two days are the same. As a corporate leader you will be expected to have a hands-on approach to supporting effective governance, steering major projects and developing strategies for tackling thorny issues as well as leading a large, high performing Lexcel Accredited Legal Team supporting the delivery of our strategic priorities.

You will also be Council’s Deputy Monitoring Officer and responsible for providing high quality legal advice to senior leaders within the organisation, including the Chief Executive and elected Members.

In return the Council offers a comprehensive benefits package including a minimum of 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service), strong flexible and agile working arrangements with an office base in Ellesmere Port and have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and a host of other working rewards including cycle scheme and technology purchase scheme.

For more information contact: vanessa.whiting@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

The contractual work location for this role is listed above however you may be required to work from a range of work locations or sites within the Borough and may also be required to work from home, depending on the needs of the service.

Applicants using Internet Explorer have experienced issues uploading attachments (supporting information and CVs) in the past, so if you are using IE we would suggest that you use a different browser when you submit your application –  for example Google Chrome.

In your application you should ensure that you provide evidence of how you have demonstrated meeting the Council’s core competencies of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.

Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.

If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again.

Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment.  Please click the Equality Policy for more information.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £9.50 per hour for all contracted hours.

For any technical enquiries please email Sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.