Head of Legal Services (Solicitor to the Council)

Head of Legal Services (Solicitor to the Council)

Employer:

Folkestone & Hythe District Council

£64,611 - £71,133 (Grade J) + £Negotiable Market Supplement for an exceptional candidate + Car allowance of £3900 per annum

Location:

Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY / Hybrid

Contract:

Permanent

Working Pattern:

Flexible Hours/Full Time

Hours:

37 hours per week.

DBS Check:

Yes

Closing Date:

09/11/2025 at 23:59

Reference:

JN -99

Experience the extraordinary with a move to Folkestone & Hythe District Council (F&HDC).

Are you a qualified solicitor with a passion for public service and a track record of strategic legal leadership within local government? Folkestone & Hythe District Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Legal Services to lead our legal team and act as Solicitor to the Council.

About the Role

This is a pivotal leadership position, providing expert legal advice across the Council, managing a high-performing legal team, and supporting governance as Deputy Monitoring Officer. You'll play a key role in shaping legal strategy, ensuring compliance, and supporting major projects and legislative changes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Legal Services team, ensuring high-quality legal support across all service areas.
• Provide strategic legal advice on complex issues including procurement, contracts, planning, and governance.
• Act as training principal for legal apprentices and trainees.
• Attend and advise at Council, Cabinet and Committees as required.
• Instruct external legal specialists and manage substantial budgets.
• Support the Monitoring Officer in upholding standards of conduct and lawfulness.
• Drive service improvements and contribute to corporate goals.

What We're Looking For

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years post-qualification experience.
• Proven leadership in legal services, with expertise in at least three areas such as procurement, contracts, property, planning, or litigation.
• Strong governance knowledge and ability to advise senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Experience with legal software and systems (e.g., IKEN, Westlaw, Land Registry portal).

Why Join Us

In return, we are offering you a chance to thrive and further your career development with a range of regular management and other learning & development sessions whilst your role enables you to make a lasting impact on the Folkestone & Hythe District.

Folkestone & Hythe is a dynamic and innovative place to live, work and visit. Recognised by Best Companies as an outstanding organisation to work for, we have a focus on wellbeing and staff development. Our benefits include:

• Flexible Working: Embrace a culture that supports agile and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous Leave: Enjoy up to 31 days of holiday plus bank holidays, a flexi-time scheme, birthday leave, and Christmas office closure.
• Pension Scheme: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Family-Friendly Initiatives: Benefit from a range of family-friendly policies and support.
• Health & Wellbeing: Participate in health and wellbeing initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Additional Perks: Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions, salary sacrifice schemes, corporate membership discounts, and free office parking.

We have a hybrid working approach with an expectation that you will work from the Civic Centre in Folkestone at least one day per week.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 9th November 2025.

Interviews are due to be held on 27th November 2025.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided below.