Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer)

Step into Leadership. Shape the Future. 

Are you ready to go beyond the remit of Monitoring Officer and lead during a time of exciting transformation? 

We are Walsall – a place with heart, ambition, and opportunity. We are a borough that looks out for its people, takes pride in its heritage, and is shaping a future filled with innovation and growth. 

At the heart of the Black Country, Walsall is defined by its rich industrial history and strong sense of community. From historic landmarks to a thriving cultural scene, this is a borough where tradition meets ambition, and where residents, businesses, and colleagues can truly thrive. 

Winner of the 2024 LGC Award for Most Improved Council, Walsall is setting a new standard for local government and we are seeking a visionary Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer) to help us take the next step forward. 

About the Role
As Director of Governance, you will lead our legal, elections and democratic services at a pivotal moment in our journey. You will provide strategic and expert legal oversight across the Council, advising on matters such as social care, planning, prosecutions, and enforcement. As a trusted adviser to Elected Members, the Corporate Management Team, and senior leaders, you will ensure that the Council operates with strong, clear, and confident governance. 

You will also lead and support our Democratic Services team, ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of elections, referenda, and democratic processes. At the same time, you will drive innovation within our legal services, embedding new ways of working that will place Walsall among the best in the country. A key part of your role will be safeguarding and evolving our Constitution, ensuring that it reflects best practice and supports effective governance. 

This is a leadership role with both strategic influence and day-to-day impact. You’ll work closely with our Principal Lawyers and Heads of Law, Statutory Scrutiny Officer, Democratic services lead and Elections lead providing guidance, support, and vision to well-managed teams who are ready to take the next step and play a key role as part of our Corporate Management Team in setting strategy and ensuring delivery 

About You
We are ambitious for Walsall – and we are looking for a leader who shares that ambition. You will be legally qualified and bring proven experience operating as a Monitoring Officer or Deputy Monitoring Officer, or in an equivalent senior legal role. You will have a strong track record of working within political environments, managing risk, and navigating complexity with confidence. 

Your leadership style will be inclusive, inspiring, and focused on empowering colleagues at every level. You will have experience shaping services that deliver outstanding outcomes, informed by insight, intelligence, and innovation. Most importantly, you will be ready to champion our values and play a central role in building a culture where staff feel supported, trusted, and celebrated. 

Within this role, you’ll have the opportunity to work with other regional Monitoring officers and the Combined Authority Monitoring officer contributing to regional matters, so displaying the ability to work in this way with comfort and ease will be key. 

Why Walsall?
Driven by our ambitious partnership strategy and vision ‘We Are Walsall 2040’, this is an exciting time to work for us, with extensive borough wide regeneration projects, including our town centre, innovative work in our childrens and adults social care space and advances in technology driving and changing how we do our business and how we engage with our residents. Our residents are at the heart of what we do and, driven by our values, we will make a difference to the lives of everyone who lives and works here.  

This is more than a governance role – it’s a chance to shape the way a forward-looking Council delivers for its people. You’ll join a Corporate Management Team with a clear vision for the next decade and beyond, where your expertise will directly influence our success. 

If you are looking for a role that combines professional challenge, strategic influence, and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy – Walsall is the place for you. 

For more information

Please contact our dedicated partners at Tile Hill: Bella Bennett (bella.bennett@tile-hill.co.uk, 07918 976494) or Anita Denton (anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk, 07725 554802). 

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday, 19th October 2025.

To apply:
To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact rebecca.keen@tile-hill.co.uk.

Applications should include:

• Full contact details;
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your current salary and notice period
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for an interview.

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk.