West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Head of Legal – Regulatory and Blue Light Services
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Head of Legal – Regulatory and Blue Light Services, and Deputy Monitoring Officer (DMO)
£79,576 | Leeds | Permanent | Hybrid
WYCA currently have a vacancy for a Head of Legal – Regulatory and Blue Light Services, and Deputy Monitoring Officer (DMO), to join our forward-thinking Legal, Governance and Compliance Service.
This is a pivotal moment for our organisation and for the region we serve. With more devolved powers anticipated through the English Devolution and Empowerment Act 2026, and our continued statutory responsibilities across policing and fire and rescue governance, the role of Legal Services has never been more critical. We are looking for an accomplished senior lawyer to act as our most senior legal adviser on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters, and to provide strategic support to the Chief Legal Officer in delivering a robust, high-performing legal function.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the legal foundations that underpin the governance, accountability and decision-making of the Combined Authority, its Members and senior officers, at a time of significant organisational and regional change.
It is an exciting time to be joining the Mayoral Combined Authority. We have a wide variety of impactful projects that we are working on which will help shape the West Yorkshire region. To find out more about the work the Combined Authority is involved with, take a look at our latest news stories.
The Role
- Providing strategic leadership and substantial legal expertise as the lead legal adviser to the Combined Authority on Corporate and Commercial workstreams alongside the Democratic Team, in anticipation of more devolved powers arising from the English Devolution and Empowerment Act 2026, providing high quality legal advice to Members of the Authority and its senior officers either directly or through internal and external resource.
- Taking a proactive leadership role both internally and externally to the Combined Authority, influencing stakeholders (including senior government officials, Chief Executives and Chief Legal Officers), to help deliver the strategic corporate, commercial and governance objectives of the Combined Authority through partnership working with external organisations.
- Supporting the Monitoring Officer in the performance of their statutory role and deputising for the Chief Legal Officer of Legal, Governance and Compliance Services as and when required.
- Leading and managing the delivery of an outcome-focused, high performing and pro-active Legal Services function across all matters related to Commercial, Corporate and Democratic services, ensuring the service is efficient, effective and delivers value for money.
- Supporting the Authority to ensure compliance across its corporate and commercial functions, particularly in relation to Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Equality, Transparency and the Authority's Regulatory duties in respect of Police and Fire.
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About You
- Qualified Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate with significant recent post-qualification experience, ideally in a public sector organisation.
- Experience of Local Government legislation, particularly as a Deputy Monitoring Officer.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of the law relating to Corporate and Commercial functions, and understanding of the Regulatory duties of Combined Authorities.
- Significant strategic experience of leading large legal teams within a local government context, including influencing and guiding senior leaders throughout the project lifecycle to implementation.
- Demonstrable extensive experience of providing advice at a senior level in the field of Corporate, Commercial and Public law, including advising on regulatory matters, governance and decision making, risks and liabilities.
- Strong commercial acumen with the proven ability to take a strong business perspective in order to achieve best results through contracts and activities which demonstrate value for money.
- A high level of political awareness, with the ability to offer solutions reflective of this that also adhere to the necessary legal standards.
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Our Offer
- Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
- Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
- Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
- Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
- Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
- Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
- Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
- Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.
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