Director of Legal and Governance Services (Monitoring Officer)
Trafford Council
Trafford is a great place to live, work, learn and visit, with strong communities, a proud cultural and sporting heritage, and a key role in Greater Manchester’s economic future. Our vision is simple and ambitious: a borough where residents, businesses and communities thrive. Achieving it requires trusted, enabling governance that supports good decisions, protects public confidence and turns ambition into delivery.
As Director of Legal and Governance, reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will play a central role in our corporate leadership team, providing independent, practical advice to colleagues and elected Members, supporting sound decision making while ensuring the Council acts lawfully, transparently and with integrity. As Monitoring Officer, you will build trusted relationships across political groups, combining sound judgement and personal authority with the confidence to challenge constructively on complex and sensitive matters.
This is an important time to join Trafford. You will implement a review of our governance arrangements, strengthening standards, scrutiny and democratic decision making, ensuring that we enable timely and effective delivery. Leading legal, democratic and mayoral services, elections, registrars and information governance, you will be at the heart of the council’s operations. Across legal services, you will lead complex work spanning property, development, investment and commercial partnerships, while ensuring legal work in social care supports our improvement journey. You will play a key role in some of the council’s major programmes that are shaping the borough, including the Wharfside Masterplan and Old Trafford Mayoral Development Corporation.
You will bring experience in a politically led organisation, offering strategic judgement, excellent relationship building skills and a solution focused approach. You will inspire talented teams, strengthen professional capacity and resilience, and use technology and modern working practices to improve quality and value. This is a career shaping opportunity for a visible and influential leader, committed to public service, inclusive leadership and the best outcomes for Trafford’s residents, businesses and communities.
For more information or to apply, please visit our microsite: https://join-trafford.co.uk/ or speak to our advising consultants at Gatenby Sanderson, Philip Emms (07690 225472) or Emily Lockwood (07384 25862)
About us...
Trafford is a vibrant, inclusive borough at the heart of Greater Manchester. Home to 235,000 residents, four thriving town centres, over 11,000 businesses, and 60+ parks and green spaces. We’re a place where community and opportunity meet. With excellent transport links, a proud heritage as the birthplace of the NHS, world-class sporting venues and outstanding schools, Trafford is a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive.
Why Trafford?
We’re more than just a local authority; we’re a team of passionate people committed to making a real difference. We deliver essential services that matter, from education and social care to business support, licensing, libraries and leisure and much more. No matter what your role is with us, you will help us to create a borough where all our “residents, businesses and communities thrive.”
Our Culture...
Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just words on a wall, they shape how we work together, make decisions, and support each other every day.
They help us create a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. If you share these values and want your work to have real purpose and impact, Trafford is the perfect place to grow your career.
What you'll love about working with us...
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance:
- Generous Leave: Start with 26 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), with options to carry over or buy extra days.
- Flexible Perks: Discounts on car leasing, cycle to work, home tech, plus family friendly policies and hybrid working
- Invest in your future: Join our generous Local Government Pension Scheme for peace of mind.
- Grow with us: We'll support your development at every stage! Through leadership programmes like our EPIC Manager, LEAP into leadership and senior leadership. Plus, you'll have access to specialist qualifications and personal coaching to unlock your full potential.
- Wellbeing First: Guided wellbeing walks and “Tea and Talk” sessions, and events like World Mental Health and National Fitness Day.
- Connect with us: Connect with colleagues through our staff forums or join our Let’s Talk events to network, share ideas, and hear about the exciting work happening across our council.
- Be Celebrated: For all your hard work, ideas and contributions through at our annual Time to Shine event, our cheers for peers’ scheme or through our EPIC Star Awards.
Key Information...
- Pre-Employment Checks: If offered a role, as a minimum we’ll need to verify your right to work in the UK, receive two satisfactory references, and medical check. Some roles may also require a DBS check and/or police vetting, which will be noted on the role profile.
- Please note: We are not a licensed sponsor and will not be able to support with your work visa.
- Privacy Notice: We respect your privacy. For details on how we collect, process, and protect your data, please click here: Recruitment and employment privacy notice | Trafford Council privacy notice | Trafford Council
Make an Impact. Apply Today....
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team shaping a better Trafford for our residents, businesses and communities then we'd love to receive an application from you.
We want everyone to feel confident and supported throughout our recruitment process. If you need any help, adjustments or support at any stage, please get in touch with us at recruitment@trafford.gov.uk
After reviewing the role profile and submitting your application, successful candidates will be invited to a values-based interview to learn more about your skills and experience. This is your opportunity to show how you connect with our EPIC values and can contribute to our vision.