£79,576 per annum

We currently have a vacancy for a Head of Legal – Regulatory & Blue Lights to join our Legal, Governance and Compliance Service.

The in-house Legal, Governance & Compliance Service forms an important part in the process to enable the delivery of projects within a clear governance framework.
Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Legal, Governance & Compliance, and acting as Deputy Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal - Regulatory & Blue Lights will oversee and coordinate, the legal input required across the Service. The role will act as the lead legal advisor in one or more specialist areas, including corporate, regulatory, governance law.

Alongside strong expertise in one or more of these fields, candidates must also bring substantial local government, public law experience, including a proven ability to work effectively with Members, provide high-quality advice in a political context, and present and advise at formal committees and boards.

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.

It is important that you demonstrate how your breadth of experience, knowledge and skills align with the role when applying. We have therefore created comprehensive guidance for candidates, and you are strongly urged to read this before completing your application form.

Due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will be subject to relevant vetting checks at the appropriate level and any job offer will be conditional subject to successful vetting clearance.

Applicants should be aware that it is not possible to make meaningful vetting enquiries in many jurisdictions outside the UK. Vetting clearance cannot therefore be granted if the applicant has not been resident in the UK for the relevant minimum period and comparable vetting enquiries cannot be made in jurisdictions where the individual has been residing.

The Role
Reporting into Assistant Director, Legal, Governance and Compliance your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide strategic leadership and substantial legal expertise as the lead legal adviser to the Combined Authority on Corporate and Commercial workstreams alongside Democratic Team in anticipation of more devolved powers arising from the English Devolution and Empowerment Act 2026 (upon Royal Assent), providing high quality legal advice to Members of the Authority and its senior officers either directly or through internal and external resource.
• Take 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.
• To support the Monitoring Officer in the performance of their statutory role and deputise for the Assistant Director of Legal, Governance & Compliance Services as and when required.

About You
You will have the following key skills, attributes, education, and experience:

• 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 and particularly as Deputy Monitoring Officer 
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the law relating to Corporate & 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.

Our Offer
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 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.

To Apply
If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements under the ‘About You’ section of the advert and criteria within the Role Profile. 

If you would like to discuss this role in more detail, please contact Sarah Milne via
Sarah.Milne@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.

Closing date: 30 August 2026

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.