Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer

Connected Local Government; Taunton; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking a Head of Legal Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer to lead the modernisation of their legal services and provide strategic legal advice. This senior leadership role entails shaping culture and governance while operating in a political environment. The ideal candidate will possess high-calibre legal expertise, emotional intelligence, and the ability to translate complex legal risks into clear guidance. This role promises a significant impact within a dynamic council seeking growth and improvement.

Qualifications

• High-calibre legal professional with leadership credibility and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to operate comfortably in a political environment.
• Strong ability to translate complex legal risk into clear, constructive advice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the modernisation of the legal service and provide trusted legal advice.
• Operate in a political environment and translate complex legal risks.
• Inspire and develop a proactive, collaborative legal service.

Skills

Leadership

Legal expertise

Emotional intelligence

Political navigation

Solutions-focused mindset

Job description

Overview

Somerset Council is a place with real momentum. There’s a distinctive sense of possibility here. We are a young council still shaping its future, ambitious for its communities and committed to building a fairer, greener, more resilient Somerset. While we face the same financial and demand pressures seen across local government, we also benefit from a developing culture of improvement, strong partnerships and the combined strength and expertise of our predecessor councils. It’s a promise to our residents that we are determined to keep.

As Head of Legal Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer, you will sit at the heart of the organisation, helping to enable good decisions, strong governance and confident leadership at a time of continued transformation. This is a senior leadership role with real influence. You’ll be leading the modernisation of our legal service, shaping culture and ways of working, and providing trusted, pragmatic advice to members and senior officers across a complex and evolving council.

Responsibilities

• Lead the modernisation of the legal service, shape culture and ways of working, and provide trusted, pragmatic advice to members and senior officers.
• Operate in a political environment, translating complex legal risk into clear and constructive guidance.
• Be a people-centred leader who inspires, develops and modernises a legal service that is proactive, collaborative and enabling, not risk-averse or siloed.
• Blend governance, commercial awareness and leadership to support transformation and help Somerset Council move forward with confidence.

Qualifications and qualities

• High-calibre legal professional with leadership credibility and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to operate comfortably in a political environment.
• Strong ability to translate complex legal risk into clear, constructive advice.
• Solutions-focused mindset and people-centred leadership style.

How to apply and contact

For more information and to apply, visit the Penna jobs site: https://penna.com/jobs

To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our consultants at Penna: Kelly Ridley on 07709 512415 or email [e-mail]; James Miller on 07701 233159 or email [e-mail]; Rachael Morris on 07840 711217 or email [e-mail]

Closing date: 23:59 Sunday 1st February 2026

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.