Are you a driven and enthusiastic legal assistant with a background in debt recovery and civil litigation? Derby City Council is offering an exciting opportunity to become an integral part of our innovative debt recovery team. We are seeking a proactive individual who is eager to embrace change and seize new opportunities, all while optimising resources to serve the best interests of the Council and our communities. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the success of our organisation and its residents, we would love to hear from you
The Opportunity
In the role of Legal Officer , here’s an example of what you’ll be doing to make an impact:
• developing and implementing procedures and practices to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Debt Recovery team
• provide appropriate legal and administrative support to the Debt Recovery team and Lawyers, alongside advice to other Council departments
• prepare, draft cases and aid in negotiation with all parties while upholding the principles and values of the Council.
• you will be a key member of a small team, so teamworking and flexibility will be key with the management of your caseload.
About You
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally have...
• Experience of working in a legal practice or working with a demonstratable knowledge of law within debt recovery
• A flexible approach to the management of your caseload
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills.
• The ability to provide advice, guidance and assistance to Council colleagues while having due regard to appropriate policies and legal frameworks.
• The ability to use a wide variety of IT packages, including case management systems.
• A desire and help drive change and improvements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both internally within the Council and externally
Who We Are
Here at Derby City Council, we’re dedicated to delivering nearly 250 first-class services to citizens and businesses in the heart of the Midlands. People are at the centre of all that we do, and we have an outstanding track record of recruiting and developing talented individuals by providing them with varied and fulfilling career opportunities. Find out more about what it’s like to work for us.
What We Offer
You too could be part of something brilliant by becoming a colleague at Derby City Council; in addition to making a difference to the lives of people across the city, you’ll also receive:
• Flexible work/life balance scheme (depending on your role)
• Hybrid working (depending on your role)
• Modern office environment (depending on your job location)
• Continued professional development opportunities & career conversations
• 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after 5 years' service), plus bank holidays (depending on contract)
• Local Government Pension Scheme (depending on contract)
• Team Derby Rewards – retail and leisure discounts
• Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
• Cycle2Work Scheme & free cycle training
• Employee Assistance Programmes & Support
• Access to our Equality Employee Networks – LGBTQ+, Disabled Employee Network & Carers and our Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Employee Support Network
• Support for colleagues who are carers
Next Steps
If you would like to apply for this vacancy, please submit an application via the Derby City Council website .
The closing date for this vacancy is at midnight on Sunday 2nd November 2025. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Interviews will be held: TBA
Important Information
Links to the full Job Description and Person Specification are below.
As part of our safer recruitment checks the successful candidate will be subject to a basic DBS check.
To apply please click the Apply Now link below.