Director of Legal and Democratic Services (Monitoring Officer)

Ealing Council serves the residents and businesses of London’s third largest borough, which is located in the heart of west London. We put the needs of our 385,000 residents above all else and the council’s three priorities reflect the issues that matter most to local people. We are committed to improving services, our performance and ensuring value for money in everything we do.

As our Monitoring Officer, you’ll work closely with the Chief Executive, Strategic Leadership Team, Cabinet Members, and elected councillors to ensure Ealing Council operates lawfully, ethically, and transparently. You’ll lead the development of our constitution and governance framework, provide expert legal advice on strategic decisions, and champion high standards of conduct and decision-making.

You will lead a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering customer-focused, enabling services that support transformation and continuous improvement, and will be responsible for the oversight and challenge of service budgets and the legal services trading account.

This is more than a legal role; it’s a chance to shape the future of local democracy and governance by being part of a forward-thinking leadership team committed to innovation, inclusion, and delivering real impact for our communities.

To succeed in the role of Monitoring Officer, you will:

· Be a qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive.

· Have extensive experience in local government law, governance, and ethical standards and of working within or with local government.

· Demonstrate expert knowledge, understanding and experience of local government law and practice.

· Have significant experience of working effectively in a complex political environment and of providing strategic professional legal and governance advice to senior management and members.

· Have previously lead and developed high-performing teams, delivering high-quality support services and delivering continuous improvement.

· Be a pragmatic and visible leader who builds high levels of trust, motivation and performance.

· Be able to constructively challenge service leads, providing robust advice and achieving a balance between supporting services and managing corporate risks.

To apply for this role, submit your CV and a supporting statement addressing how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the essential criteria on the person specification for the role to seniorrecruitment@ealing.gov.uk by 5pm 31 October 2025.

Your CV should be tailored and include detail of your education, qualification, full employment history and membership of professional bodies.

Please aim to keep your CV and supporting statement to two pages each and include your name at the top of both documents on all pages used.

This role is subject to a Member Level Appointments Panel.

You must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

It is an exciting time to join us, here at Ealing Council. If you would like to make a positive difference to our residents and borough, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

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Ealing Council is committed to creating good jobs and delivering on its connected communities’ agenda. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive.

Please note all applications will be determined on merit.

Role Profile

Monitoring Officer – Applicant Pack