The Law and Governance Team works across the organisation delivering legal, governance and audit advice and support. We have recently agreed a new structure for legal services which is being implemented and which will provide a solid foundation to build on the existing strengths of a team which already knows what the organisation needs. Partnership working is key for us – not only within the Combined Authority but with colleagues in our seven Metropolitan Councils and the private sector.

Strong and robust governance and legal advice is key to the delivery of our vision and we’re looking for a Director of Law & Governance to lead our team and act as principal Legal Advisor to the to the Combined Authority and the Mayor, the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team – at all times ensuring that the Combined Authority is an exemplar in demonstrating high standards of corporate governance as a regional and nationally accountable body.

Fulfilling an important role as the Combined Authority’s Statutory Monitoring Officer and as an intrinsic part of the Strategic Leadership Team, you’ll provide strategic legal and governance advice across the range of operations ensuring that the actions and decisions of the Combined Authority are sound. We are looking for someone who can bring their experience and legal knowledge to the organisation to help us deliver our objectives in a solution focussed and pragmatic way.

About you

The successful candidate will already have experience of operating in a high profile, fast moving political environment and be able to give authoritative guidance working closely with the other Statutory Officers. You will be able to quickly develop effective working relationships and partnerships with senior politicians, civil servants and officers in Central and Local Government, key stakeholders in the private sector and other professional colleagues.

We’re looking for an experienced, and confident public sector lawyer with a strong understanding of public sector legal and governance roles and the current political, social, and devolution environment across the region. You’ll need experience of leading legal and governance teams, preferably in a local government environment, working across all disciplines in a high profile and visible environment. Previous experience of acting as Monitoring Officer or Deputy would be highly desirable.

This is a key leadership role, where you’ll be able to build on your breadth of experience and your proven strategic and leadership background. In a year where we’ll continue to live with uncertainty and change the challenges of maintaining robust governance have never been greater – and this role will provide you with a unique opportunity to deliver real impact across the region.

Who we are 

Everything we do is focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands – that’s our reason for being here and it drives every move we make. We lead and support others to deliver our shared future vision for the region – a happier, healthier, better connected place to live and work.

We work with our council partners to keep the region on the move, regenerate places with new homes and businesses and skill up our people so they can do the jobs we’ll need to succeed in the future. We use our role to speak up for and lead our region and bring people together to deliver across the towns and cities that make the West Midlands great.

We’re ambitious, forward thinking and determined to find better ways of working, trusting and supporting each other to get the job done.

Our region needs and deserves our powerful voice - we understand what’s needed here and how to change lives for the better. Our work is already bringing big benefits in the way we keep people moving on our roads, rail and tram systems, the work we’re doing to build homes on derelict sites to protect our precious green spaces, our innovative work on future transport systems and 5G and our plans to tackle the climate change emergency.

Everyone who works here plays their part in this success story and we’re all determined to use our unique role to deliver lasting change across our region. Come and join the West Midlands Combined Authority; be part of Building the Future.

How to apply

Please provide detailed information in your application outlining your suitability for the post and ensure it is submitted ahead of the closing date. Please note that West Midlands Combined Authority reserves the right to bring forward the closing date of any of its job vacancies if we receive a suitable number of quality applications from which to make a shortlist. Therefore, we recommend that you apply as soon as possible rather than wait until the published closing date.

Our priority is to keep all our employees safe and well during this time. We will be working remotely for the foreseeable future, and we are doing everything we can to ensure all our employees can enjoy a comfortable remote working space. 

We are committed to developing an organisation that is representative of the diverse communities that we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The following groups are currently underrepresented: young people, Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups and women at senior levels.  

We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet the essential job role criteria. We will make reasonable adjustments, in line with the Equality Act, for disabled applicants if these are needed. Wherever possible we will offer flexible working options which assist work-life balance and support service delivery for the customer.