Head of Legal £66,000 to £72,000 per annum, 37 hours per week Permanent Cirencester/Witney/Coleford An exciting time to join Cotswold District Council. Cotswold District is a great place to live, work and visit, and we are rightly proud of our businesses, communities and residents. We are busy recreating a Council that's pro-active and responsive to the needs of our residents and businesses in a fast-changing environment. That means we need to be ?fleet of foot' and look for innovative and creative ways to deliver against our Corporate Plan priorities. About the role Cotswold District Council, in partnership with Forest of Dean District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, and Publica Group, is seeking an exceptional leader to join us as Head of Legal Services. This pivotal leadership role will oversee the efficient delivery of a shared legal services team across our three councils. As part of the senior leadership teams for the councils, you will drive innovation, ensure excellent legal service provision, and contribute to achieving our shared vision for serving our communities effectively. As Head of Legal Services, you will: Lead the shared legal services team, delivering high-quality legal advice and guidance to support the councils' strategic aims and priorities. Proactively implement innovation, continuous service improvements, and ensure the efficient delivery of service plans. Act as Deputy Monitoring Officer for the partner councils if required. Manage people and financial resources to achieve service and corporate goals within budget constraints. Represent the councils in courts, inquiries, and tribunals as necessary. Build constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring a holistic legal function that emphasizes integrity, quality, and responsibility. Monitor legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate them effectively. Provide legal training to council officers and members. Serve as the proper officer for partner councils as outlined in their constitutions. About you We are looking for an innovative and strategic legal professional with: Proven experience in delivering high-quality legal services, ideally in a local government or public sector setting. Strong leadership skills to manage and inspire a multidisciplinary legal team. Expertise in managing legal risks and delivering robust solutions in complex legal matters. The ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including councillors, officers, and external partners. A commitment to the values and priorities of the partner councils. Current Solicitor Regulation Authority compliance. Why join us? You will play a key role in shaping the legal services of three councils, directly contributing to the quality and efficiency of services for the residents of our districts. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and innovate in a forward-thinking, collaborative environment. Special Conditions? Ability to travel BPSS Check Standard DBS Please note that it is intended that the post holder can be based at the Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester or at our other partner council's offices in the Forest of Dean or West Oxfordshire District Council. Travel between these offices is sometimes required. What can we do for you? Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role) 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 29 days after five years of service In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care Generous contributory local government pension scheme Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues Cycle to work scheme Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements Terms and conditions apply. These are just a handful of the benefits that you can enjoy when you join us If you feel this is the role for you please email your CV and supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria above by clicking on the ?Apply for this Position' icon within this page. Alternatively, please email us at or contact the recruitment team on 01285 623319 Your application will not be considered if you have not provided a supporting statement, in addition to your CV. Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email. Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years' employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record. ADZN1_UKTJ