12440 - Head of Office, Darlington

Ministry of Justice; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental department in Tees Valley is seeking a Head of Office to manage key processes, provide legal oversight, and improve service delivery. The ideal candidate should have 5-7 years of PQE as a Solicitor, strong leadership, and advocacy skills. Responsibilities include maintaining a legal caseload and implementing PDS directions. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to criminal law policy and enhance quality standards across England and Wales.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years PQE as a Solicitor in England and Wales.
• Excellent practical knowledge of criminal law, evidence, and procedure.
• Commitment to personal care and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Manage key business processes and team performance.
• Provide legal supervision of direct reports.
• Maintain a legal caseload with advice and representation.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Financial management

Advocacy skills

Knowledge of criminal law

IT skills

Education

Solicitor/Barrister/CILEX with 5-7 years PQE

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)

Job description

Job Title: Head of Office

Contract Type: Permanent

Grade: 7

Salary range: £58,511 - £65,329

Location: PDS Offices

Directorate/Team: Public Defender Service

Working Pattern: The post is supported by the MOJ flexible working policy and includes colleagues who work flexibly, remotely, part time or as part of a job share etc.

Closing date for applications : 12/01/2026

The Public Defender Service

The Public Defender Service (PDS) is a department of the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) that operates alongside private providers delivering a full range of quality, value for money services within the criminal defence market.

Informed by its participation in the market, PDS contributes credible and expert advice to the government on service and policy development affecting the sector and acts as a test-bed for innovation and quality improvements.

PDS operations provide a critical safeguard against market failure across England and Wales, thereby ensuring the LAA fulfils its statutory responsibility to ensure continuous access to justice.

Job Summary

Key Responsibilities

• Managing key business processes;
• Managing the performance of the team, including using management information to improve service delivery;
• Legal supervision of direct reports and the wider team;
• Management of resources to ensure an efficient, cost-effective service;
• Ensuring delivery of a quality cost-effective service;
• Business development activities;
• Health and safety and business continuity for the team;
• Implementing the strategic PDS direction as set out by the Senior Management Team.

The Office Head will also maintain a legal caseload including:

• Provision of advice, assistance and representation to individuals subject to investigation or prosecution of a criminal offence;
• Equal participation on the office out of hours rota.

The Office Head will also:

• Use their legal expertise and experience to contribute to the development of policy and practice that will improve the quality and efficiency of the criminal defence market in England and Wales;
• Provide input as and when required to various projects within the LAA and wider Government.

Essential Criteria

• Leadership experience and willingness to develop management competence by attending management training courses and working with management coach.
• Communication skills and personal presence that enable rapport-building with all stakeholders, line reports and teams.
• Financial and operational management skills including budget preparation, budget and performance profiling, execution, monitoring and review.
• Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX with 5-7 years PQE, fully qualified to practice as a Solicitor in England and Wales with excellent practical knowledge of criminal law, evidence and procedure.
• Excellent advocacy skills and experience in preparing a range of cases to trial in both the Magistrates and Crown Courts.
• Excellent practical knowledge of current Criminal law, evidence and procedure.
• Ability to supervise the legal work and legal service delivery by applying the components of the PDS quality assurance framework.
• Personal resilience with a commitment to personal care, to maintain mental and physical wellbeing of self and line reports in a working environment that may present emotional and other challenges.
• Commitment to the wider aims of the PDS to become an exemplar of best practice in criminal litigation and advocacy and its remit to act as a test-bed for innovation, increased efficiencies and quality improvements for the benefit of the wider criminal defence community.
• Sound IT hardware and Microsoft Office software skills, particularly in Word and Excel, and the ability and willingness to operate in a self-sufficient, efficient manner in the creation of high quality documentation and other business information and the flexibility to work unsociable hours.
• Possession of a full driving licence and access to a motor vehicle, together with flexibility and preparedness to travel to cover cases across England and Wales if required.

Assessment approach

Application and Assessment Process

The following behaviours will be assessed at the sift stage and must be demonstrated at level 4 – grade 7.

Managing a Quality Service

Demonstrate positive customer service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations. Deliver a high quality, efficient and cost effective service by considering a broad range of methods for delivery. Ensure full consideration of new technologies, accessibility and costings. Make clear, practical and manageable plans for service delivery. Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory and security requirements in service delivery. Proactively manage risks and identify solutions. Establish how the business area compares to industry best practice. Create regular opportunities for colleagues, stakeholders, delivery partners and customers to help improve the quality of service.