Assistant Director for Legal and Governance

Grade: SLMG 2
Salary: £84,633 – £94,946 (SLMG 2)
Nottingham City Council

Serving Nottingham. Leading with integrity. Delivering for our citizens.

Nottingham City Council is proud to serve one of the UK’s most diverse, dynamic and ambitious cities. As an organisation, we are focused on recovery, improvement and delivering the best possible outcomes for Nottingham’s citizens, now and for the future.

We are seeking an exceptional Assistant Director for Legal and Governance to play a critical leadership role at the heart of the Council, supporting strong decision-making, ethical governance and high-quality public services, while living our commitment to putting citizens at the heart of everything we do.

The Role

Working closely with the Strategic Director of Legal and Governance, you will help shape and deliver the vision for the Legal and Governance Division and contribute to the wider leadership of the Council and the city.

You will provide strategic direction, translate political and organisational priorities into clear objectives, and ensure that legal and governance services enable effective, lawful and transparent decision-making across the Council.

Appointed as Deputy Monitoring Officer, you will play a vital role in promoting good governance, managing significant legal and organisational risk, and ensuring the Council meets its statutory and ethical responsibilities. You will deputise for the Strategic Director as required and lead on defined areas of legal practice and governance improvement.

This role requires sound judgement, political awareness and the confidence to provide clear, impartial and professional advice to elected members and senior officers, always focused on achieving the best outcomes for Nottingham’s citizens.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership, direction and management to Legal and Governance Services, ensuring high-quality, proactive and citizen-focused support
Support the Strategic Director in delivering the Council’s priorities, including the Recovery and Improvement Plan and preparation for regulatory inspection
Act as a principal advisor on governance, policy options and decision-making, balancing legal risk, financial sustainability and organisational ambition
Lead the development and delivery of innovative, inclusive and efficient legal and governance services
Build strong, trusted working relationships with Councillors, portfolio holders and senior officers, translating political vision into lawful, deliverable action
Oversee complex and high-risk legal matters, including litigation and judicial review, and manage external legal support where required
Promote robust governance arrangements, compliance with statutory duties and best practice across the organisation
Actively champion good financial management in line with the Council’s Financial Regulations and Accountabilities Framework
Embed equality, diversity and inclusion in leadership practice, workforce development and service delivery
Contribute to the Council’s climate responsibilities by considering and reducing the carbon impact of activities within your remit

Leading Our People and Our Organisation

As a senior leader, you will:

Communicate a clear sense of purpose that reflects the Council’s values and ambitions
Lead visibly and inclusively, empowering colleagues and creating the conditions for high performance
Plan for future workforce capability and capacity, developing talent and resilience within the service
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and learning
Lead and manage change effectively in a complex political and financial environment
Work collaboratively across the Council and with partners to achieve the best outcomes for Nottingham

About You

You will be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate and substantial experience of local government law. You will bring:

Senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation
Extensive knowledge of local government law and public sector governance
A proven ability to provide expert, pragmatic legal advice to elected members and senior officers
Experience of managing significant legal and governance risks and complex cases
Strong political awareness and the ability to operate confidently within the democratic process
Financial and commercial awareness, sound professional judgement and analytical skills
A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to serving Nottingham’s diverse communities

Why Nottingham City Council?

At Nottingham City Council, we are united by a shared commitment to public service, improvement and integrity. This role offers the opportunity to:

Influence decisions that shape the future of the city
Work on complex, high-profile and meaningful issues
Lead and develop talented professionals in a values-led organisation
Make a genuine difference to the lives of Nottingham’s citizens

If you are a strategic legal leader who shares our commitment to good governance, public service and continuous improvement, we would welcome your application.

How to Apply

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Yvonne Burton at Yvonne.burton@nottinghamcity.gov.uk to arrange a conversation with Beth Brown, Strategic Director of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer).

Applications must include:

CV
Covering Letter / Supporting Statement

Send applications to: resourcingsupporting@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Closing Date: 11.59pm on 15th February 2026
Interview Date: w/c 2nd March 2026

Please note: Applications without a Covering Letter / Supporting Statement will not be considered.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Nottingham City Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Scheme employer and a supporter of the Armed Forces Covenant. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those with military service, as well as candidates from diverse social and economic backgrounds. We value diversity of thought, experience, and perspective and are committed to ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly, with respect, and given the opportunity to succeed.

FAQ's

Nottingham City Council’s leadership is collaborative, visible, and values-driven, focused on delivering outcomes for citizens while promoting accountability, integrity, and innovation.

As part of the strategic leadership team, you will work alongside the Strategic Director for Legal and Governance and other directors to shape policy, strategy, and service delivery. Leadership combines oversight with empowerment, giving teams autonomy while ensuring support to deliver high-quality services.

The culture encourages open communication, challenge, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on inclusivity, professional development, and high-performing teams. Leaders model the Council’s values, promote ethical decision-making, and build positive relationships with councillors, colleagues, partners, and citizens.

In short, leadership at Nottingham City Council is purposeful, supportive, and politically aware, enabling senior leaders to make a real difference for the city.

As Assistant Director for Legal and Governance, you will be supported across Nottingham City Council to succeed in this high-profile role. You will work closely with the Strategic Director and the Finance and Resources Directorate Leadership Team, accessing guidance, insight, and challenge on cross-council priorities.

You will lead a skilled Legal and Governance Division, with opportunities to collaborate with external partners and advisors. The Council also supports professional development, peer networking, and flexible working, enabling you to maintain expertise, maximise impact, and lead with resilience.

Yes, significant experience of local government is highly desirable for this role. The Assistant Director for Legal and Governance will be advising elected members and senior officers, navigating complex statutory duties, and ensuring the Council operates lawfully and transparently. Understanding the political and regulatory environment of local government is critical to providing effective, pragmatic advice and leading the Division successfully.

That said, candidates with senior leadership experience in complex organisations, particularly those with responsibility for governance, legal strategy, or regulatory compliance, who demonstrate political awareness and adaptability, may also bring valuable transferable skills.

Nottingham City Council is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive. The Council actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion at every level, embedding these principles into leadership, decision-making, and service delivery.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, ensuring that disabled employees have the support, adjustments, and opportunities they need to succeed. Reasonable adjustments are made wherever necessary to enable all colleagues to perform at their best.

The Council is also a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, demonstrating our commitment to supporting current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families in employment, career development, and wellbeing.

Across the organisation, we strive to create an environment where all voices are respected, valued and heard, actively encouraging diverse perspectives, celebrating differences, and fostering a culture of fairness and inclusivity.

Yes. We recognise senior leaders have different needs and responsibilities. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements will be considered, subject to the demands of the role and programme.

Yes
No

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