Section Head (Commercial & Place) - WDN05802
Job Description
West Dunbartonshire Council is seeking a talented and adaptable legal professional to lead our Commercial and Place Section within Legal Services.
This role sees you play a key role in Legal Services, providing legal support on a wide range of complex and high-value matters, including major Council projects, regeneration, commercial agreements, and governance. You’ll oversee a team of solicitors, ensuring high-quality legal services are delivered effectively and on time.
What you’ll do:- Lead the Commercial and Place Section, ensuring service standards are met.
- Provide expert legal advice on significant Council initiatives, transactions, and strategic projects.
- Act as a legal adviser to the Council’s committees and boards.
- Support the Manager of Legal Services and contribute to the leadership of Legal Services.
- Promote continuous improvement and support the professional development of your team.
- A qualified solicitor with a current, unrestricted Scottish Practicing Certificate.
- Strong experience in commercial, property, or governance-related legal matters.
- A confident communicator with the ability to provide strategic legal advice.
- Local authority experience is welcomed but not essential—we will support strong candidates
- This role requires a clear Disclosure check and is politically restricted under the Local
Government and Housing Act 1989.
If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Michael McDougall atmichael.mcdougall@west-dunbarton.gov.uk.
Requirements
The preferred candidate will be required to complete a Standard Disclosure check prior to a formal offer being made by West Dunbartonshire Council.
This post is politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Accordingly, on accepting this appointment you will be disqualified from becoming or remaining a Member of a Local Authority, Parliament, the Scottish Parliament or from undertaking certain political activities as defined in the Regulations introduced from time to time by the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Responsibilities
The employment for which you are applying is excepted from the provisions of section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975.Applicants are, therefore, not statutorily entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are "spent" under the provisions of the Act. In the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action.
The Individual
West Dunbartonshire offers a family friendly working environment, endeavours to ensure a work life balance and welcomes applications from employees requiring flexibility. For information about West Dunbartonshire Council please click on the following link and see why we are an employer of choice:
http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working-for-us/about-us/
More information on the benefits of working within West Dunbartonshire Council, can be found using the following link:
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