Join our friendly and supportive Lexcel accredited legal department, passionate about delivering the best for Hampshire and making a real difference to the community!
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. Our large legal service supports all Hampshire County Council directorates and a wide range of other public service organisations. Working on matters that are as challenging as they are rewarding, you will advise on a range of interesting, varied and meaningful cases at the very forefront of public interest, delivering improvements to people's lives.
We currently have an Assistant Head of Legal Services role (Solicitor, Barrister or FILEX) available within our friendly team, with the remit of providing advice relating to Commercial Property, Planning and Environment. Our roles offer the unique level of support that comes with working within an in-house legal service and Hampshire County Council provides a valuable opportunity to further your career.
As an Assistant Head of Legal Services (Commercial Property, Planning & Environment) you will lead a team of around 25 Lawyers across a complex case load, providing strategic direction and ensuring resources have been allocated appropriately and that commitments are being met.
As a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or FILEX with significant post-qualification experience of providing senior-level advice (preferably within a local authority setting) on issues relating to commercial property, planning or environment law, you will be adept at drafting documents when under pressure and you will have an excellent knowledge of one or more of the specialisms relevant to the role.
An analytical thinker with a creative approach to solving problems, you will be highly customer-focused with excellent negotiating and influencing skills. You will also have a good awareness of current legal issues, and your business and financial acumen will be exemplary.The work is varied, important, and fundamental to the County Council's corporate priorities, so you will need to be highly resilient and motivated.
What we can offer you:
Having successfully adopted online and hybrid working, we can consider candidates from out of the area, working partially remotely and from our offices in Winchester for one day per week and to attend in person meetings, as required.
Here at Hampshire Legal Services we pride ourselves on the breadth and depth of the difference we can make. We enable the County Council to make positive changes and deliver more for residents across the County. Already one of the largest local authority legal teams in the country, the demand for our services is increasing and this is creating new opportunities. This role offers the chance to work at the heart of Local Government and to contribute towards the vision for Hampshire County Council's future.
As a forward-looking local authority, our commitment to delivering an exceptional quality of life to our Hampshire residents also extends to our employees. It is important to us that our staff feel supported in their work. As such we can offer you an improved work-life balance through flexible working and an excellent benefits package including:
- Access to Local Government Pension Scheme;
- Between 25 - 30 days annual leave entitlement (dependent on Local Authority service);
- Electric plug-in hybrid car Salary Sacrifice Scheme;
- Interest free travel loans and discounts;
- Employee Support Services;
- Family friendly policies;
- Access to online professional legal research resources.