Chief Officer - Legal and Governance

Chief Officer - Legal and Governance

Location: Rugby

Duration: 6 months

Hours: 37 hours per week

Working Pattern: Hybrid - 2 to 3 days per week in the office

Rate: £681.58 PAYE / £950 Umbrella per day

We are seeking an experienced Chief Officer - Legal and Governance to join the Senior Leadership Team for an initial 6-month assignment. The successful candidate will act as the Monitoring Officer, providing senior leadership and expert advice across legal, governance and democratic services. You will play a key role in ensuring effective corporate governance, supporting the strategic priorities and maintaining high standards of legal and ethical practice.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as the statutory Monitoring Officer.
• Providing senior legal, governance and policy advice to Members and officers.
• Leading Legal Services, Democratic Services, Elections, Business Support, and Equality and Diversity.
• Overseeing democratic decision-making, scrutiny and committee arrangements.
• Ensuring elections and referendums are delivered effectively and in accordance with legislation.
• Advising on the Member and Officer Code of Conduct and ethical governance.
• Overseeing complex legal matters, including litigation, tribunals and inquiries.
• Supporting the Leadership Team and elected Members on complex and contentious issues.
• Providing strategic leadership and managing senior teams and service delivery.

The ideal candidate will have substantial senior-level experience within local government, including strong experience of acting as or working closely with a Monitoring Officer. You will have a strong legal background, excellent knowledge of local government governance and democratic processes, and the ability to provide confident advice to senior officers and elected Members.

If you have the required senior legal and governance experience and are available for an immediate or upcoming 6-month assignment, we would be keen to hear from you.

To find out more information please contact Lily at

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. We are an equal opportunity agency.