Finance and Transformation

Dear Candidate,  

Thank you for your interest in the opportunity to join Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council as our Chief Legal Officer.

This is a particularly exciting time to be considering a leadership role within Sandwell. The Council has already undergone a significant transformation, strengthening its governance, culture and confidence. We have been recognised at the LGC Award as the Most Improved Council and we are now firmly focused on the future. We want to build on our progress and become an outstanding Council. This will require ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring we have the leadership expertise to support our ambitions for residents.

The Chief Legal Officer role presents a unique opportunity to shape and influence the strategic direction of the organisation. This is far more than a traditional legal leadership position. We are looking for someone who can provide trusted advice and challenge at the highest levels of the organisation. We want someone that will make our legal, governance and associated functions operate as modern, forward-thinking services that add real value to the organisation.

Legal expertise and a strong understanding of governance is essential. But we are also interested in your ability to lead people, drive improvement and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries.

My own career has spanned more than 30 years in local government, from district councils to large unitary authorities. I am passionate about providing quality customer focused services whether they are primarily focused on internal or external customers. Throughout my career I have seen first-hand the importance of strong professional leaders that navigate change, embrace innovation and deliver the best possible outcomes for residents. I want us to create services that are recognised for upholding our organisational values as well as offering high-quality professional advice and support. The role deliberately offers opportunities to excel across technical professional roles as well as engaging with residents, strategic partners and elected members.

The portfolio offers the opportunity to influence wider corporate services, including procurement transformation and organisational improvement. We have made good progress in many areas, but we recognise there is more to do. We are therefore looking for a leader who is ambitious, pragmatic and motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

What makes Sandwell special is its people. We are proud of the culture we are building, one that values openness, collaboration, accountability and innovation. We want senior leaders who are visible, approachable and willing to work collectively to solve problems and seize opportunities. In return, you will find an organisation with genuine momentum, supportive colleagues and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution at a corporate level.

If you are an experienced legal leader with the vision, credibility and drive to help shape the next chapter of Sandwell's journey, I would encourage you to speak with our recruitment partners at Tile Hill and find out more about the opportunity.

Ready to apply or interested in finding out more?

Speak confidentially with our recruitment partner, Tile Hill, who will be happy to answer any questions that are not covered here.