Make an impact where it matters

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Lawyer specialising in Corporate Governance to join our highly regarded shared service providing legal services and advice to Swale, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils.

The service covers a range of areas including Property and Regeneration, Planning, Contentious, Contracts & Commissioning and Corporate Governance. Working across multiple councils means a range of high-level, challenging and impactful work. This is more than a legal role—it’s your opportunity to shape communities.

Why join MKLS?

Mid Kent Legal Services is a forward-thinking, innovative shared service, known for delivering high-quality legal support across three ambitious local authorities.

We offer:

High-profile, varied work you won’t find in most private practice roles
A supportive, collaborative team culture
Real opportunities for personal and professional development
Smart use of technology to maximise your time and impact
A genuine commitment to flexibility and wellbeing

About the role

As a Senior Lawyer (Corporate Governance), you will provide high-quality professional legal services and manage a caseload of complex corporate governance matters across the three authorities of the shared service.

Your work will include:

Manage a complex and rewarding caseload covering range of corporate governance matters
Provide strategic legal advice to senior leaders, elected members and officers
Represent MKLS in key internal and external forums
Deputise for the Team Leader when required
Supporting compliance with Lexcel and internal governance requirements
Supervising work of junior lawyers and support staff
Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective planning processes.

The role requires sound technical expertise combined with the ability to exercise professional judgement in a politically sensitive environment.

This is a full time role working 34 hours per week on a permanent contract. This role offers the benefit of hybrid working, combining the flexibility to work from home with office-based working on a business needs basis.

Our Offer

Local Government Pension Scheme
Generous annual leave + Christmas closure (with the option to buy more annual leave)
Flexible working opportunities including:

Hybrid working
Compressed hours / 9-day fortnight / part-time options
34-hour full-time week (with early Friday finish)

Wellbeing support, counselling and healthcare initiatives

Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping

Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, car leasing)
Free parking across partner authority sites

About You

To be considered as our Senior Lawyer (Corporate Governance), you will have:

Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or equivalent experience
Significant post-qualification experience in corporate governance law
Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders and decision-makers
Experience working in or alongside politically sensitive environments
Strong understanding of local government processes and democratic structures

Other organisations may call this role Senior Legal Counsel, Lead Lawyer, Legal Services Manager, Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or Senior Legal Manager.

We’re looking for a confident, commercially aware legal professional who can operate at senior level in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Please review the job description and person specification criteria for full details.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those who are successful in securing an interview can expect a face-to-face interview at one of the offices of the shared service authorities.

Mid Kent Legal Services and Maidstone, Swale and Tunbridge Wells local authorities are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business, and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

Are you interested?

For an informal discussion, please contact: Timothy Pyant, Interim Business Manager – 01622 602155

Interview Date: 22^nd/23^rd July 2026