This role will play a critical part in ensuring a new Combined County Authority, is set up effectively, with the robust governance, strategies, policies and frameworks required to meet statutory and legal obligations. They will establish strong foundations that enable the organisation to accelerate its strategic priorities at pace. To achieve this, postholders will need to build effective relationships and networks across central and local government, partners, businesses and residents, and bring the business, commercial and political acumen needed to translate strategy into meaningful action.
Purpose of the Role
- Be the lead for legal, governance, and compliance leadership across the organisation.
- Provide expert legal and governance advice to the Interim Chief Executive, senior leader and the Mayor once elected. Advise the Mayor, Interim Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, and senior leaders on legal and governance matters.
- Ensure the Combined Authority operates within its framework and statutory obligations.
- Oversee governance frameworks, assurance processes, decision-making structures, and data protection compliance (as Data Protection Officer).
- Keep the organisation’s constitution and decision making structures under review ensuring that they are fit for purpose and develop with the organisation
- Support the organisation’s rapid development with strong governance foundations and ensure that the scrutiny function and the scrutiny officer operates in a lawful and effective way.
- Build partnerships and raise the profile of Greater Essex at a regional and national level, working across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to drive inward investment, secure funding from government, and ensure value for money in all financial commitments.
- Discharge the statutory role of monitoring officer.
- Develop the organisation’s legal and governance functions.
Key Responsibilities
Governance & Legal Leadership
- Lead all legal, governance, constitutional, and compliance functions.
- Act as the Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s most senior legal adviser.
- Develop and maintain the governance model, constitution, and regulatory frameworks.
- Oversee procurement policy, legal risk, and regulatory compliance.