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Post Title Head of Legal Services & Data Protection Officer
Directorate
Directorate Governance & Support
Location
Advert Close date 27/05/2025
Job advert text
Job advert text Head of Legal Services and Data Protection Officer
37 Hours per week
£71,288 (band 14) plus market supplement available depending on experience
Permanent
Do you want to make a difference?
At Eastleigh we are proud of what we have achieved. As a medium-sized district council employing over 500 staff and supporting around 140,000 residents with a £65 million turnover and big ambitions, we have delivered a range of major projects and initiatives ensuring we continue to be progressive and innovative in our approach, whilst delivering high quality service to our customers and the community.
Here at Eastleigh Borough Council we are committed to making a positive difference for all the residents, businesses and visitors to Eastleigh and we are proud to be delivering on our promise to lead and support Eastleigh Borough and its communities by developing a strong and sustainable economy that supports improved standards of living for residents; promoting thriving and healthy communities; and maintaining an attractive and sustainable environment that residents value.
We are looking for a dynamic, motivated and experienced Head of Legal Services to lead and direct our well respected in house Legal Team in all aspects of law in connection with the Council's functions. The successful candidate will also be appointed as Deputy Monitoring Officer and Data Protection Officer.
Your new role
As the Head of Legal Services, you will leverage your dynamic experience in providing robust due diligence, legal support and advice with an ability to apply lateral thinking and consider diverse perspectives. Reporting to the Service Director for Governance and Support (Monitoring Officer), you will be the Council's most senior professional qualified solicitor, leading an in-house team of qualified lawyers and specialists on all aspects of law.
You will be responsible for delivering a professional and 'best in class' legal service including inputting into corporate strategy and policy, leading the development and implementation of this. Additionally, you will oversee compliance with Data Protection legislation and information governance throughout the Council.
Please see Job Description for more information.
What you need to succeed
• Educated to degree or extensive equivalent experience
• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister
• Membership of Law Society or registered to practice with Bar Standards Board
• Extensive working knowledge of legal working practices and methodologies at a senior level
• Experience in undertaking local government work and making legal representations
• Solid understanding of statutory and regulatory compliance
• Dynamic, innovative, confident, able to challenge others, open, perceptive and a strong communicator
• Proven ability to undertake complex legal cases and provide expert advice on a range of matters within local government
• Passionate about the role and local government
• A high level of resilience and a strong background in delivery
• To be extremely capable in managing multiple competing priorities without slippage
• Strong personnel management experience, and the ability to adapt your management style to meet the differing needs of your team
About us
In return you will be working with a great team in an organisation that is truly committed to a flexible, inclusive and enjoyable work environment. We are passionate about personal and professional development for all staff, offering exceptional conditions of employment as an accredited Living Wage Employer, plus the chance to make a lasting difference to the community of Eastleigh.
Our benefits include:
• Hybrid working with on average 2 days working in the office
• 31 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Flexible working arrangements and ability to accrue up to 2 days additional leave per month (subject to operational requirements - pro rata for part time staff)
• Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
• Places Leisure, Eastleigh - 30% off Full Membership
• Confidential Employee Advice and Support Programme
• Car and Season Ticket loans
• Excellent working environment
• Support for continuous professional development
If you have the skills, experience and motivation we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
For further information please contact Jo Cassar, Service Director - Governance Support (Monitoring Officer)
Closing date: 27 May 2025
Interview date: To be confirmed