York: A modern city rich in culture and heritage, regularly voted as one of the top places Britons want to live!

Our successful and diverse economy remains one of the strongest in the North of England, the city continues to be one of the safest places to live and the Sunday Times has recognised our schools as the best in the North, where our young people continue to achieve excellent results at A-level and GCSE. Outstanding childcare is within 30 minutes of anywhere in this city.

We are looking for a Director of Governance to play a fundamental role in driving change, helping define our future direction, influencing key stakeholders and delivering service improvements that will raise City of York Council’s reputation, locally, nationally and internationally.

This crucial new role will support Councillors and Officers to successfully deliver our priorities and ensure that they meet statutory requirements.

This new role has been created to strengthen and improve the Council’s approach to governance, ensuring high standards of governance are maintained throughout the organisation. With a newly formed political administration, this presents an exciting opportunity for the post holder to shape, strengthen, influence and further develop a strong ethical governance framework, working in conjunction with Members and Officers.

This is an excellent opportunity for a progressive leader to address the challenges of local government and build the reputation of City of York Council. This role will play a vital role in driving change and influencing key stakeholders.

As a pivotal member of our corporate management team, you will directly support the Chief Executive to actively contribute to the strategic management of the Council and ensure the success of our corporate aims and objectives.

You will work collaboratively with other partners in the wider city and regional governance systems; building strong external relationships to certify robust and transparent governance arrangements for the Council and to make the most of opportunities for residents and communities.

We are proud to be home to active and engaged residents together with passionate and committed elected members; transparency and ethical standards are critical to our success and must stand up to the rigor of positive challenge. There is a significant opportunity to harness the voice of our residents; as the customer experience is central to tackling the challenges we face.

The post holder will be responsible for the following Council services:

• Legal Services including Complaints, Standards, Audit, FOIs and data protection
• Civic and Democratic services
• Electoral Services

As a pivotal member of our Corporate Management Team the post holder will have collective responsibility for corporate leadership.

Legal and Democratic services is principally responsible for ensuring the legality of the Council’s operations and decision-making and providing high quality support to elected Members, the Council, the Executive, Committees, the Chief Executive, Directorates and external clients, as well as supporting all democratic processes.

It is also responsible for supporting the promotion of high ethical standards within the organisation.

Legal and Democratic Services are at the heart of everything that the Council thinks and does; responsible for:

• Ensuring that decisions taken by Members and Officers are effective and lawful;
• Supporting the delivery of the Council’s services and projects;
• Maintaining, promoting and monitoring high ethical standards for Members and Officers;
• Providing support to elected Members;
• Managing elections; and
• Providing high-quality legal advice and representation for the Council whilst working in partnership.

Following the recent local elections, members are currently resetting the Council's priorities for the next four years, establishing a new Council Plan. With a newly formed administration for the next four years this presents an exciting opportunity for the post holder.

The Council is always looking to put residents first. We want to celebrate and champion the diversity of our population and encourage everyone to play an active role in the city. In achieving this aim, we work closely with all public sector bodies in the city and the region to achieve the best York.

It’s an exciting time to be part of City of York Council. We’re starting the process of working with our politicians to shape a new four year Council Plan that will place emphasis on service delivery. We are looking for a talented and ambitious individual who can make a personal impact on the changes to our organisation and leave a professional legacy in York.

This pivotal senior position joins us at a time when we have strong leadership with great ambition for the future of our Council and for the city itself.

If you are interested in meeting the challenge, enhancing your career and making your mark in York then we look forward to receiving your application.

For an informal confidential discussion about this opportunity, we encourage applicants to contact Sarah France-Gorton from Resourcing Solutions on 01609 798106 or via email sarah.france-gorton@northyorks.gov.uk.

Apply now

To apply please send your CV including a personal statement in one Microsoft Word document to sarah.france-gorton@northyorks.gov.uk by midnight on Sunday 22 September 2019.

It is important that your CV includes: your full contact details (telephone, email, address), full employment history (name of employer, job titles, dates of employment and salary), full education history (qualification, grade, dates and place of study), explanation of any gaps in employment and the contact details of at least two referees including your current / most recent employer indicating whether you consent to us contacting each referee prior to interview.

Your personal statement should outline your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for the role.

We will not accept applications from agencies.

This is a politically restricted post as defined by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Key dates

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 22 September 2019
Shortlisting date: week commencing Monday 23 September 2019
Assessment date: Thursday 17 October 2019
Interview date: week commencing Monday 21 October 2019

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