Lead governance, integrity and legal excellence in Rushcliffe.

Rushcliffe Borough Council is widely recognised as one of the country’s most successful and high-performing district councils. Serving a thriving borough south of Nottingham, we combine a strong track record of delivering excellent services with an ambitious agenda for sustainable growth, strong governance and community leadership.

We are now seeking an exceptional legal professional to join our senior leadership team as our Monitoring Officer and Assistant Director for Law, Governance and HR.

The Opportunity
This is a high-profile pivotal role at the centre of the Council’s corporate leadership and governance framework.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will act as the Council’s statutory Monitoring Officer, ensuring the highest standards of governance, probity and legal compliance across the organisation. You will provide authoritative advice to Members and senior officers, supporting sound decision-making in a complex and evolving local government environment.

Alongside your statutory responsibilities, you will lead a key corporate portfolio within the Chief Executive’s department, with responsibility for Legal Services including governance, Electoral Services and Human Resources.

You will:

• Lead and develop the Council’s legal service, ensuring high-quality and responsive advice across the organisation
• Act as principal advisor to Members, including the Standards Committee
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer on corporate governance matters
• Support Cabinet, Council and Scrutiny with robust legal and governance advice
• Act in the role of Data Protection Officer
• Provide leadership across the Chief Executive’s department, ensuring effective service delivery and continuous improvement

This is a role that combines statutory authority with strategic influence, offering the opportunity to shape governance, support corporate priorities and contribute directly to the leadership of a successful and ambitious council.

The Organisation
Rushcliffe Borough Council is an award-winning, forward-thinking authority with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality services and maintaining sound financial management.

Located in West Bridgford, just south of Nottingham, the borough is one of the most attractive places to live and work in the East Midlands, with vibrant communities, successful businesses and a strong commitment to protecting the environment and enhancing quality of life.

Our Corporate Strategy focuses on:

• Supporting sustainable economic growth
• Delivering high-quality places and communities
• Tackling climate change and protecting our environment
• Maintaining excellent services and value for money

Rushcliffe is a council where strong governance and collaborative leadership underpin everything we do. Our culture is ambitious, supportive and pragmatic, and senior leaders have the opportunity to make a visible difference to the organisation and the borough.

We operate from modern offices at Rushcliffe Arena, supported by flexible and hybrid working arrangements that enable colleagues to work effectively while maintaining a healthy work–life balance.

Candidates
We are looking for an experienced and credible local government lawyer who can operate confidently at the most senior levels of the organisation.

You will bring:

• Qualified solicitor or barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx) with appropriate authorisation/practising certificate
• Strong knowledge of local government law and governance
• Experience of delivering or supporting Monitoring Officer responsibilities
• A proven ability to provide clear, balanced legal advice to Members and senior officers
• Experience of information governance
• Experience of leading legal services or a comparable professional function

You will be a strategic thinker and trusted adviser, able to navigate complex and politically sensitive issues while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Equally important will be your ability to build strong relationships across the organisation, develop high-performing teams and contribute positively to the wider leadership of the Council.

How to Apply
For further information and details of how to apply, please visit https://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk//leadership-vacancies

And for a confidential discussion about the role, please contact our retained consultants at Penna: Rachael Morris on 07810 207784 or Julie Towers on 07764 791736.

Closing date: 30 April 2026
 
For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.