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The role

Are you an experienced Governance lawyer looking to broaden your legal expertise and take on new challenges? Southwark Council is offering a unique opportunity to work on complex, governance issues that span constitutional and legislative areas of law. This role will push you to expand your skills and make a significant impact in one of London’s most dynamic boroughs.

Key Responsibilities:

  • As a Specialist Lawyer Governance, you’ll tackle complex legal challenges and provide expert advice to a wide range of stakeholders, including council officers, Cabinet members, committees, and elected members.
  • Deliver strategic insights on governance issues, constitutional matters, and legislative impacts on council services.
  • Support the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer in fulfilling statutory responsibilities, ensuring decision-making reflects the highest principles of good governance.
  • Lead a team of legal and information governance specialists, managing complex issues arising from freedom of information requests, subject access requests, and regulatory complaints.
  • Shape and influence corporate strategies and operational plans, leaving a tangible impact on the Southwark community.

How will you make an impact as our Specialist Lawyer Governance?

You’ll need to bring a blend of the following:

  • We warmly welcome applications from qualified lawyers with relevant litigation experience and a solid understanding of, or exposure to, public sector work, even if your background is from another legal sector.
  • Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically.
  • Experience supporting statutory functions for Monitoring Officers.
  • Leadership experience, particularly in managing lawyers and/or information governance specialists.
  • A track record of meeting and monitoring performance targets.
  • Confidently manage risk using sound judgment and critical analysis.
  • Embrace the opportunity to work with a diverse team, both within the legal service and across the council.
  • A strong knowledge of local government law will provide a strong foundation for your work, allowing you to contribute effectively to the council’s goals.
  • This role offers flexible home working blended with travel into our London Bridge HQ.

Additional salary details

Salary Range: £57,678 - £71,742

This post attracts an additional JNC benefit to the value of £2724. 

As a Specialist Lawyer Governance, you'll be a trusted legal partner of choice, delivering high-quality, responsive, and efficient legal services to our council and its diverse communities. As a Lexcel-accredited legal practice, we are committed to maintaining integrity and excellence in everything we do.

About Southwark Council

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities.

Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice, and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Benefits and more information:

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark

 

Recruitment timetable

Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on the 17th of January 2025

Interview Date: Week Commencing the 27th of January 2025

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council. 

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

  • Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
  • Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
  • If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition. 

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