Head of Legal Commercial Property, Transport and Infrastr...
hace 1 día
Darlington
The postholder will provide strategic leadership for the delivery of legal services across Commercial Property, Transport and Infrastructure at the Tees Valley Combined Authority, ensuring the provision of high-quality, commercially focused and solution-oriented legal advice that supports the organisation’s ambitions and priorities. Working closely with the Director and Assistant Director of Legal and Governance, they will lead and manage the legal function within their portfolio, ensuring the effective delivery of legal services that enable informed decision-making, support the successful delivery of key programmes and projects, and protect the Authority from legal, financial and reputational risk. Acting as a senior legal business partner across TVCA and its associated organisations, the postholder will build strong relationships with senior leaders, elected members, internal clients and external stakeholders, providing trusted advice and strategic challenge where appropriate. Through effective leadership and development of a team of legal professionals, they will promote a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement, role modelling the values of the organisation and ensuring legal services continue to exceed the expectations of internal colleagues while contributing to the achievement of corporate objectives. The postholder will lead the legal function, translating strategic objectives into clear priorities, service plans and measurable outcomes while ensuring the delivery of high-quality, proactive and client-focused legal services. They will provide leadership, management and professional supervision to a team of legal practitioners and managers, supporting development through coaching, constructive feedback and continuing professional development opportunities. The role is responsible for driving continuous improvement across legal services by standardising processes, documentation and guidance, enhancing performance management and ensuring the service consistently exceeds internal client expectations. Acting as a senior business partner, the postholder will build and maintain effective relationships with internal clients, senior leadership and external stakeholders, ensuring legal resources are aligned with organisational priorities and strategic objectives.The role requires the provision of expert legal advice across a broad range of complex, high-risk and politically sensitive matters, including commercial property, transport, planning, infrastructure, corporate governance, procurement, subsidy control, information governance and regulatory matters. The postholder will lead, undertake or supervise complex legal work and TVCA-wide legal projects, contributing to multi-disciplinary programmes to ensure legal advice supports delivery while protecting the organisation’s interests. Responsibilities include negotiating, drafting and finalising complex commercial contracts, land transactions and other commercial arrangements, identifying legal risks and developing effective mitigation strategies. They will also instruct, commission and manage external legal providers, including Counsel and solicitors, ensuring value for money, effective budget control, knowledge transfer and high-quality service delivery. As a senior representative of the legal function, the postholder will attend and contribute to corporate, member and directorate management meetings, presenting clear advice, sound judgement and constructive challenge. They will prepare detailed reports, present information to boards and stakeholders and communicate complex legal issues effectively to a wide range of audiences. A key aspect of the role is promoting excellent client service through responsive, practical and solution-focused legal support, prioritising competing demands and ensuring legal services remain trusted, accessible and aligned to organisational needs. The postholder will also make a significant contribution to the Senior Legal Management Team, supporting consistent business processes, effective deployment of legal resources and fostering a culture of excellence, resilience, accountability and continuous improvement. The role includes maintaining a comprehensive understanding of changes in legislation, policy, guidance and case law, providing timely and proactive advice to officers and stakeholders to support lawful, effective and well-governed decision-making. The postholder will engage closely with clients to understand requirements, priorities and future planning requirements, ensuring resources are allocated appropriately to meet organisational objectives. In addition, they will oversee legal expenditure, evaluate the financial impact of legal decisions and ensure external providers deliver cost-effective services within agreed budgets. The postholder will be expected to work flexibly, undertake any duties commensurate with the nature and grading of the role and complete any training necessary to fulfil the responsibilities of the position. They will also ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements, procurement regulations, the Data Protection Act, health and safety legislation and the organisation’s Employee Code of Conduct. The postholder will provide strong strategic leadership and direction, translating organisational priorities and long-term objectives into effective delivery programmes, clear service plans and measurable outcomes. They will lead by example, demonstrating commitment to the organisation’s vision while inspiring and motivating others to achieve ambitious goals. Working closely with senior managers, they will support the planning and delivery of strategic priorities, ensuring resources are aligned appropriately and risks are identified, assessed and managed effectively. The role requires confident decision-making, balancing operational requirements with strategic objectives, while anticipating challenges and implementing effective, practical solutions. An important aspect of the role is creating a positive learning environment through coaching, mentoring and developing senior colleagues, alongside providing clear, balanced and constructive feedback on performance and taking appropriate action where performance issues arise. The postholder will possess highly developed communication and influencing skills, enabling them to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at both strategic and operational levels. They will communicate complex issues in a clear, compelling and accessible manner, articulating how organisational strategies and priorities translate into tangible outcomes and benefits. The role requires working collaboratively across the organisation to ensure services contribute effectively to corporate objectives whilst managing sensitive relationships with elected members, senior leaders and external partners with the highest levels of integrity, professionalism and probity. They will actively engage with external networks and stakeholders to remain informed of political developments, legislative changes and wider industry influences, ensuring that relevant information is shared proactively across the organisation. The postholder will demonstrate strong emotional intelligence, adapting their communication style to different audiences and circumstances, while confidently managing challenging conversations, competing priorities and organisational change. The successful candidate will bring extensive professional experience, typically gained over more than ten years within their specialist field, together with a comprehensive understanding of the technical knowledge, legislation, regulatory frameworks and professional practices required to fulfil the role. They will be recognised as a subject matter expert both within and beyond the organisation, providing authoritative advice to senior leaders and contributing to the development of organisational and regional policy. The postholder will maintain productive relationships with relevant government departments, sector bodies and strategic partners, acting as a trusted adviser in their area of responsibility. They will also provide professional leadership and guidance to colleagues, supporting the development of legal knowledge and capability across the organisation and acting as a key source of expertise for more junior officers. The role carries significant responsibility and accountability for the effective operation and performance of the service area. The postholder will be accountable to the relevant Director for the delivery of service objectives, operational performance, financial management and the successful achievement of agreed outcomes. They will ensure resources are deployed efficiently and effectively, maintaining oversight of budgets, service delivery and organisational priorities while ensuring value for money. In addition, they will take responsibility for developing, supporting and empowering employees within their service area, fostering a high-performing culture that promotes excellence, accountability, continuous improvement and professional development. Tees Valley is where five unique boroughs come together to make one remarkable region – one that harnesses its inventive spirit to get things done.Tees Valley Combined Authority was established in 2016 with devolved powers and funding from central Government transport; infrastructure; education, employment and skills; inward investment and business growth; culture and tourism; and research, innovation and Net Zero. TVCA is led by the Tees Valley Mayor and Cabinet, made up of the Leaders of our five constituent local authorities – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees. Its work is supported by the Tees Valley Business Board, giving local businesses a voice in TVCA’s policy and decision-making. The Combined Authority’s powers are backed by more than £1.7billion of funding for projects, schemes and programmes to make the region an incredible place to live, work, invest, visit and study. Some major projects led or backed by TVCA over the past decade include: • The transformation and upgrades to Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe and Billingham stations, • The establishment of the South Tees Development Corporation and subsequent creation of Teesworks, the UK’s largest industrial zone, home to major clean energy projects, • Bringing Teesside International Airport back into public control, • Establishing a £160million Investment Zone – the UK’s only to focus on digital and creative sectors, • Setting up the Hartlepool and Middlesbrough Development Corporations to transform the town centres, • The development of Northern School of Art’s new Middlesbrough campus and regeneration of its Hartlepool campus, • Driving education and skills at all levels, including our devolved funding over adult education, • Using our powers as the region’s Destination Marketing Organisation to bring big-ticket concerts, events and competitions to Tees Valley, • Numerous infrastructure and place-building projects including Stockton’s Waterfront Urban Park, Middlesbrough’s Boho Zone, Redcar’s Regent Cinema, Hartlepool’s Highlight centre and Darlington’s Central Park developments. We’re proud of our historical impact across the globe – from being the place that built the world thanks to our rich steel heritage to making it connected through the creation of the first passenger railway. We’re now the area which will change the future, thanks to pioneering clean energy and digital innovations. That’s reflected in our ten-year Local Growth Plan, which sets out how we are going to capitalise on our key sectors, local strengths, workers’ expertise, world-class assets and knowledge-sharing to make sure every investment is joined up and works to turbocharge our economy. We love our diverse region, the five boroughs and their strengths that make Tees Valley greater than the sum of its parts, where the industrial skyline impressively frames rolling green landscapes and beautiful coastlines. A place of cultural and economic growth, where anything is possible. Tees Valley Combined Authority is looking for talented, ambitious and public-service minded lawyers to join our Legal team as Heads of Legal. These are exciting senior roles for individuals who want to use their professional expertise to make a visible difference to the place they live in, work in or care deeply about. Teesside is a place of ambition, resilience and opportunity. From major regeneration and infrastructure projects to devolution and local accountability, our work is directly connected to improving outcomes for communities across the region. We need people who share that sense of purpose and who are motivated by the chance to contribute to something bigger than any single legal transaction or decision. About the role As a Head of Legal, you will provide high-quality, pragmatic and solutions-focused legal advice across a complex and high-profile public sector environment. You will support senior officers, elected members, boards and committees, helping to ensure that decisions are robust, lawful, transparent and aligned with the Combined Authority’s ambitions for the Tees Valley. You will play a key role in building legal capacity and resilience, enabling delivery and helping the organisation respond confidently to new responsibilities and opportunities. The work will be varied, stretching and meaningful, with the chance to influence matters that affect the whole of Teesside. Role requirements We are looking for talented individuals with sound legal judgement, strong technical expertise and the confidence to operate in a fast-moving political and public-sector environment. You will be collaborative, calm under pressure and able to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical advice. You will bring professional credibility, integrity and a commitment to high standards of public administration. Just as importantly, you will have a genuine passion for Teesside and a desire to help the region succeed. This is an opportunity to be part of a team at the centre of major public investment and regeneration across the Tees Valley. You will be joining at an important time, helping to strengthen the legal function and supporting the delivery of high-quality, accountable decision-making. TVCA is proud to hold Disability Confident Leader status and is committed to continuously developing best-practice approaches to inclusion. Applicants who consider themselves to have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know. As proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to supporting veterans find and secure employment opportunities. This includes a guaranteed interview to those who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Please note, you should hear from us within four weeks of the closing date if you are shortlisted for interview, otherwise you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. #J-18808-Ljbffr