Job Description
The Medical Council is seeking to recruit a General Counsel (Principal Officer) to join their Executive Leadership team.Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategy and Business Services, the General Counsel will be a skilled and experienced lawyer with highly developed leadership, communication, collaboration, negotiation, and people management skills. The General Counsel leads the Legal team within the Council, which has responsibility for the provision of legal advice across the Council’s regulatory functions, in respect of administrative law issues, statutory interpretation, litigation, information governance issues, contractual matters, and employment law issues. The General Counsel additionally has responsibility for the Legislative Affairs team within the Council, which works with stakeholders in respect of legislative change affecting the Council.Complaints and investigations and fitness to practise processes are not within the scope of this role, save for the involvement with these areas where there is litigation or Judicial review of specific Complaints & Investigations and Fitness to Practise processes.As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the General Counsel will play a key role in modelling and supporting the Executive Leadership Team to build a values-based culture to support our vision and mission to deliver for Doctors/Patients and the Public by placing them at the heart of what we deliver day to day.Key responsibilities:Participate as a member of the Medical Council Executive Leadership Team (ELT), working together to lead, motivate, empower, and develop colleagues across the organisation, helping to cultivate the desired organisational culture and achieve the strategic vision.Lead a team providing a broad range of legal advisory and related services to the Executive of the Medical Council and the President/Board of the Medical Council.Ensure the provision of up-to-date, high-quality, and informed legal advice, in a timely manner, to both the Medical Council and the Executive so that the Council’s interests are protected, and the Council adheres to all relevant legislation (at domestic and European levels) in respect of the Council’s statutory remit and otherwise.Provide the President and members of the board of the Medical Council, its Committees, CEO & Executive with high-quality legal and professional strategic advice on matters related to the Council’s statutory remit, its strategic objectives, and related matters.Lead in the development of regulations/legislative amendments and related material pertaining to the Council’s statutory functions/powers, etc., and contribute to the preparation of draft legislation, as required.Represent the Council where legal advice is required with a wide range of external solicitors, Government Departments, external stakeholders, and other regulators with a focus on building and maintaining strong relationships and streamlining legal processes.Provide legal advice and input into a broad range of areas including the Council’s regulatory functions, administrative/regulatory law, statutory interpretation, corporate governance, litigation, data protection, and freedom of information.Oversee engagement and liaison with external legal advisers to formulate queries for legal opinions and interpreting any response(s) for the Executive/members of Council.Strategically manage Council’s resources with a particular emphasis on the management of external legal fees to ensure maximum value for money in any external legal services provided.Engage with internal directorates to review and improve administrative processes and reduce litigation risks.Build and maintain effective relationships with key relevant external stakeholders and professional bodies to inform the work of the Medical Council and to contribute to the wider Health landscape.Support and encourage a culture of quality assurance, ensuring that systematic review and continuous improvement are integral to processes within this function and across the Medical Council.Manage and oversee sectional and strategic risk registers in line with the Medical Council's Risk Framework and associated processes.Carry out duties appropriate to the post and any other tasks as may be assigned from time to time.Technical:Professional legal qualification as a solicitor or barrister licensed to practise within the State with at least 10 years of relevant post-qualification experience as a legal practitioner.Recent experience at a senior leadership level in a similar role, ideally in a regulatory environment.Track record of managing a diverse range of legal issues from drafting legal documents to managing litigation, regulatory/public law matters, and complex legislative issues.High degree of technical expertise in regulatory law and policy, including in relation to the drafting of regulations, codes of practice, and other legal documentation.Excellent judgement and the confidence, discipline, and intellectual ability to deliver in a demanding environment.Experience in change management, particularly in the delivery of efficiency and cost reduction programmes.Interpersonal:The ability to communicate effectively at a senior level and demonstrate sound strategic and operational judgment, together with excellent verbal and written communication skills.A demonstrated capacity to collaborate on policy and strategic issues.The capacity to constructively challenge established practices.Ability to lead by example and support teams to achieve strategic outcomes.Excellent team building and mentoring skills.Strong time management, planning, and prioritisation skills.Leadership:Proven experience of collaborating at a senior leadership level, managing multiple stakeholders, and delivering on their expectations.Recognised people leader and expert in their field, with a broad network that can be leveraged for gaining critical insights to add value to the Irish Medical Council.Demonstrates the ability to deliver on the following competencies:Craft the future vision and purpose.Enable change.Drive excellence and execution.Deliver results.Empower and develop others.Build and nurture relationships.Influence others.Be decisive, energetic, and enthusiastic with excellent people, interpersonal, and communication skills.Details of this Appointment:Position Type: This appointment will be offered on a full-time permanent basis. A 6-Month probationary period applies to this appointment.Starting salary will be at €100,885, which is the first point of the Principal Officer PayScale. If you are currently a serving civil or public servant, your entry point to the PayScale may be higher based on your current salary. There will be salary increment each year in line with the Executive Officer Grade PayScale and subject to satisfactory performance, until the maximum point on the scale has been reached. The rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.Hours: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri.Location: The Medical Council’s offices are located at Kingram House, Kingram Place, Dublin 2. They operate a hybrid working model with both remote working and a current requirement for onsite attendance two days per week.Pension: The Medical Council offers a pension through the Public Sector Scheme. Contributions to the scheme will commence on joining the organisation. Candidates currently working in the Public or Civil Service may transfer their pension.Closing date for applications is 18 September 2024. Expected interview date: end of September 2024. #J-18808-Ljbffr