Assistant Director - Law and Governance

Darlington Borough Council is seeking an exceptional leader to join us as an Assistant Director - Law and Governance. This pivotal role will be responsible for key legal and governance functions, acting as the Council's Monitoring Officer and providing vital legal advice to senior officers and elected members.

As Assistant Director, you will lead a skilled legal team while also managing and developing democratic services, procurement, registrars, and information governance. We are looking for a practical, solutions-focused leader-someone capable of acting quickly, making sound decisions, and providing clear, decisive advice in a fast-paced environment. With talented and committed managers and officers reporting to you across all your service areas you will have the opportunity to build on strong foundations, while being a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, Executive Director, and Council Members.

You will need to quickly build relationships with Members and senior officers, gaining trust and providing legal and governance advice that informs critical decision-making. Your role, and the work of your teams, will underpin and inform the work of Members and officers, improving the lives of our residents and communities, and delivering our ambitions for Darlington. We are seeking someone with outstanding communication skills, who is comfortable in this high-profile, high-responsibility environment, with the confidence to advise on key legal matters and the agility to handle politically sensitive situations.

Darlington is known for its collaborative culture, and you'll join a close-knit team of Assistant Directors and Executive Directors who together help drive our strategic direction. The Council values innovation, respect, collaboration, and quality service delivery. We need a leader who will champion these values, guiding your teams to deliver excellent services and helping to shape the Council's future.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a forward-thinking, adaptable leader to make a real difference in local government, working at the heart of decision-making in Darlington. If you are ready to take on a challenging, rewarding leadership role and are committed to delivering practical, high-quality legal and governance services, we'd love to hear from you.