Director of Law & Governance
Surrey’s ambitious 2030 vision is of a county of well-functioning and connected places, with healthy communities and a high quality of life. We’re an important growth engine not only for the region, but also for UK Plc: business density is some 25% above the national average, and we’re proud of our strong and growing economy.
But we also have a profound moral purpose. Alongside prosperous and flourishing places, Surrey contains communities and individuals in need of support. Our firm commitment is that ‘no one is left behind’, and the health and wellbeing of our environment and communities will always underpin our strategic objectives.
Under the leadership of our new Chief Executive, Terence Herbert, we believe that Surrey County Council is exceptionally well placed to be a sector-leading exemplar, hungry for improvement and always going the extra mile to enhance our residents’ lives. Our track record of innovation and resilience speaks for itself, and our approach to service design and delivery is relentlessly focused on securing the best outcomes for residents and communities.
Managing a team of around 125 and a budget of over £10m, this role is at the heart of modernising the organisation and delivering our vision. As well as developing and leading a high-performing legal and governance service, you’ll also fulfil the statutory duties of Monitoring Officer. Working closely with elected members and senior colleagues, you’ll embed and sustain a strong culture of standards, performance and accountability, and will make a significant contribution to the delivery of public value and efficiency. A visible and inspiring exemplar of public service best practice and the council’s values, you’ll keep abreast of innovative and creative new professional concepts, and adopt (or adapt) them where they can deliver improved outcomes for our residents.
You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister, with a current practising certificate and evidence of continued professional development. Extensive knowledge and insight into local government and the wider public sector are essential, as well as a comprehensive professional understanding of all relevant legislation and practice. You must also have a thorough grasp of the role of statutory Monitoring Officer. With an impressive ability to move between strategic and operational modes as required, you’ll exemplify on open and trusting culture and encourage high performance across the directorate. Excellent, nuanced judgement, well-developed negotiation and influencing skills, and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly are all essential. Experience of leading through periods of change and transformation will be a distinct advantage.
Indicative Timetable
Closing date for applications: Sunday 5 January 2025
Longlisting: Thursday 9 January 2025
Preliminary interviews (via Microsoft Teams): Monday 13 January 2025
Shortlisting: Monday 20 January 2025
Officer / Stakeholder interviews: w/c Monday 27 January 2025
Final interview panel with members (in Reigate): w/c Monday 3 February 2025
For an informal conversation about this role, please contact:
Ben Cox
Email: bcox@faerfield.co.uk
Phone: 0121 312 3755
Rob Naylor
Email: rnaylor@faerfield.co.uk
Phone: 0121 312 3755
To apply:
To apply for this job please click on the Apply button below and fill out the requested information. When prompted, please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than four sides of A4 each).
With your CV, please also provide the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be contacted if you reach the final stages, and we will not contact referees without your permission.
Your supporting statement should express why you are interested in this role and what experience you can bring to the organisation. The statement should tackle the specific requirements of the role; outlining examples and outcomes showing how you meet those requirements.
