Director of Governance

**An exciting time to join West Oxfordshire District Council** West Oxfordshire District Council is dedicated to being a listening Council, which puts residents first, and with the drive to be aspirational, innovative and bold so that we can fulfil our ambitions for the District. We provide a range of important servicesincluding waste and recycling collections, planning, housing, leisure, community safety and environmental health. The Council has an ambitious emerging Council Plan focussed on a range of important priorities including delivering a good quality of life forall, a better environment for people and wildlife, and responding to the climate and ecological emergency. We want to deliver excellent modern services whilst ensuring the financial sustainability of the Council. We also want to continue working in close partnershipwith our local communities and other important locality partners as well as our key service delivery partners Publica, Ubico and GLL.

**About the role** As Director of Governance, you’ll be a pivotal part of the Corporate Leadership Team, working closely with the Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive, Publica Locality Lead, elected members and our partners to deliver our priorities.

This role includes responsibility to discharge the statutory duties as the Council’s Monitoring Officer, but it’s much more than that. Yes, you’ll use your aptitude and experience to ensure we deliver in accordance with the law and principles of good governance,but this role provides an opportunity to really shape and influence how Council governance operates, bringing your ideas and creativity to the table, and implementing best practice.

The role will therefore suit someone with either a public or private sector background, looking for more than a 'traditional’ local authority Monitoring Officer position. You’ll be able to operate successfully at a strategic level, whilst being able to keepan eye on the detail.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking Council that’s always ready to embrace new ideas. So, if you’ve got what it takes, we would love to hear from you.

**Our future** The pace of change in the world of local government is getting faster, whether it be levelling up, climate change or local pressures, such as affordable housing, we are being asked to do more, faster and with less money. West Oxfordshire District Councilhas already established a strong track record in delivering savings and improving services, but we want to go further. We also want to explore ways to look beyond our existing boundaries both geographically and organisationally to see how what we do mightbenefit our district.

**You will need**:

- A broad knowledge of Council procedures
- Experience of advising Cabinet, senior Members and senior Officers on constitutional and/or complex legal and governance issues
- Experience of influencing diverse teams across a multifunctional organisation
- Ability to collaborate with a range of partners within and outside the organisation
- Experience of developing strategies and policies in relating to relevant areas of governance
- Preparation and presentation of reports
- Good level of IT skills - MS Office
- A full UK Driving License

**Special conditions**:

- Ability to travel
- BPSS

**What can we do for you**:

- Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
- Flexible working arrangements _(depending on the role)_
- 26 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 29 days after five years’ service and 32 days following 10 years’ continuous service
- In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
- Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
- Generous contributory local government pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
- Paid for access to digital financial advice (covering mortgages and other finances)
- Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements

Terms and conditions apply.

These are just a handful of the benefits that you can enjoy when you join us

**Closing date: 8 January 2023**

**First stage interview: 20 January 2023**

**Final interview**: To be confirmed.

**How to apply** Please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV, along with a supporting statement (four sides of A4 maximum) addressing the criteria set out in the role profile and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the essential requirements.

Applications should include:

- Your full contact details.
- Names, positions, organisations, and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees).
- Notification of any dates when you are not available throughout the recruitment process.