Deputy Legal Service Manager (Contentious)

The Deputy Legal Services Manager (DLSM) (Contentious) will play a key role in meeting the vision of the Finance and Resources Directorate by ensuring that effective management and supervision is in place across the Legal Services Team. This role is critical in supporting Legal Services to provide a high quality legal service to its clients.

The DLSM will have direct line management responsibility for G12 and/or G13 lawyers and Trainee Solicitors.

The role holder will be a key post leading the Contentious Team and will provide valuable support to the Legal Services Manager and County Solicitor by their attendance at operational meetings and budget meetings. This will provide an opportunity for the DLSM to act as an agent for change and to be a leader to shape and develop the relevant team to achieve the objectives of the Legal Services Unit.

The post holder will work to support all Officers within the team to act in a way that is compliant with the law and accepted practice within regulatory frameworks. This includes a requirement for the DLSM to personally provide high quality and timely legal advice and undertake casework when required. This will also support the case holder with their CPD.

Building and developing effective relationships with individuals and organisations who are key partners and stakeholders to ensure their support and effective contribution to the legal process when requested.

This position is considered as a Politically Restricted Post under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and subsequent amendments introduced by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

The key responsibilities for the role include,

1. Working closely with the Monitoring Officer, County Solicitor and Legal Services Manager to facilitate effective governance within the County Council especially, but not exclusively, in day-to-day operations within an internal client base. Ensuring that the Legal Services Team governance and decision-making processes enable it to get the job done by making sure that effective governance is used as an enabler and not a barrier. To work collaboratively to ensure that decisions are made, and consequent actions are taken in a well governed but timely way. You will manage any relevant designated budget ensuring financial rigour and maximisation of income where possible.

2. Participating in, and leading on if required, briefings to enhance and develop the County Council’s decision making, policy development and policy review functions, such as, for example, Business Brief.

3. Assisting the Legal Services Manager as a change agent looking to take advantage of technological and other ways to support the delivery of better services.

4. Deputising the Legal Services Manager post where required but working to support the Legal Services Manager in managing the agenda of change and improved levels of service delivery across Legal Services Unit. There will be a particular emphasis on ensuring that the Legal Services is as innovative, responsive, flexible and reactive as possible to the changing and new needs of the internal client base to meet Council priorities.

Further information can be found within the job description.

We are looking for you to,

• Be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Legal Executive with current practicing certificate or equivalent and Rights to Conduct Litigation
• Have substantial experience in relevant legal environment
• Have demonstrable experience of managing a team of legal professionals in a dynamic environment to achieve a high standard of service delivery
• Have demonstrable experience of independently undertaking legal casework of complexity to a high standard meeting requirements of the Council
• Have significant knowledge of in-house legal practice to be able to make a contribution to the future plans and activities of the service
• Have effective and engaging oral and written communication as well as influencing and negotiating skills
• Have effective people management and motivation skills with effective coaching skills
• Be able to provide analysis or explanations for others and translate complex technical or procedural understanding into concise appropriate language

This position is considered as a Politically Restricted Post under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and subsequent amendments introduced by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

Interviews will take place on 2 & 3 July 2026 and will include a set presentation with the topic to be provided in advance followed by standard interview questions.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Wendy Lofthouse, Deputy Legal Services Manager at wendy.lofthouse@staffordshire.gov.uk or Paula Dalton, Legal Services Manager at paula.dalton@staffordshire.gov.uk

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role. Please note: The minimum essential criteria in the ideal candidate section detailed above will be used if you are applying under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes.

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The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

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We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

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As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.