Head of Law – Planning £63,519 - £78,282 per annum Legal & Governance About Us OneSource legal services is one of the most successful shared services in the country with over 70 fee earners providing comprehensive legal services to two Councils, schools and council owned companies. Lexcel accredited, we have made significant improvements since becoming an integrated team and over 90% of our clients rate our case work as good or excellent. We are constantly looking for better ways to deliver legal services and we hope you will want to be part of this exciting challenge. About the Job We are looking for an experienced lawyer with an excellent understanding of local government, knowledge in planning law and policy. In this role you will be responsible for managing a team of 7 including a Trainee. You will have the ability to perform these management functions alongside dealing with your own caseload of high profile matters. You will have exposure to a broad range of interesting Planning matters, including the opportunity to advise on key Council priorities. Based in Newham, but willing to travel to other offices when necessary, you will be a qualified lawyer with a good understanding of the workings of local government including its financial, legal and political context. You will have the ability to contribute towards setting the strategic direction of Legal Services and support the Senior Management Team in developing and implementing strategies and business plans for the Legal Service. On a day to day basis you will use your legal knowledge of local government powers and duties in company, general litigation with an emphasis on Planning Law, and related areas to provide quality and timely legal advice to clients both within Havering and Newham About You In addition the successful candidate will have experience in: • People management including, motivation, performance and capability • Leadership in the provision of functions within the Shared Service • Service improvement, maximising efficiency and new delivery models for the functions within the shared service • Managing and delivering transformational change in Legal Services • Good communication skills with the ability to communicate orally and in writing to a diverse range of audiences. Additional Information Closing date: - 26th August 2024 at 11.59pm For further information please visit www.newham.gov.uk/jobs Please submit your C.V. with a supporting statement outlining how you would be suitable for the role with due regard to the person specification attached to the job description. Good luck with your application. Please view Head of Law Planning jd Additional Information We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us. The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role. We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload. The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.