Deputy Head of Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team

Glasgow, Southampton

Job Summary
Are you experienced in an enforcement management investigatory role?
Do you have working knowledge of PACE, CPIA, RIPA as well as experience of dealing with coroners courts and fatal accident inquiries?
Would you like the opportunity to lead complex investigations of Regulatory Health & Safety criminal offences?
If so, we are looking for a Deputy Head, Regulatory Compliance, and Investigations Team to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and we'd love to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government’s maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.
Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.
Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams.
We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.
This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups covering, Women’s, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing, Veterans Network and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.

Job Description
Whilst we welcome applications from candidates seeking part time/flexible working hours, there will be a business requirement for candidates to work a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Who are the Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations Team?
MCA’s Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations team (RCIT) work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to ensure the effective enforcement of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and other maritime legislation, including undertaking proactive compliance activities and investigating and prosecuting offenders where appropriate.
Who is the Deputy Head, Regulatory Compliance and Investigations Team?
This is a key role leading our Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations Team, working closely with the Assistant Director of Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations to deliver a responsive, effective service which delivers the highest standards in line with the team’s objectives.
The postholder will lead on all criminal investigations under the guidance of the Assistant Director of RCIT in relation to significant breaches of Merchant Shipping legislation. The postholder will need to apply maritime knowledge and specialist investigative and management expertise to the work of the RCIT, to include working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to ensure the effective enforcement of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and other maritime legislation, including undertaking proactive compliance activities.
The role will manage a team of investigators, oversee c. 300 incidents per year and lead the associated prosecution activities of the MCA where appropriate.
The postholder will also deputise for the Assistant Director of RCIT where necessary.
Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team (RCIT) in line with MCA’s Enforcement Policy and strategic objectives.
• Lead the day-to-day operations and investigations of RCIT, ensuring that deadlines and service levels are met, and results delivered to a high standard ensuring there is governance and accountability of operational caseloads.
• Act as Deputy Senior Responsible Officer, accountable to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office for Communications Data Requests for the MCA under the Regulation of Investigative Powers Act 2016 as required.
• Deputise as the Designated Senior Authorising Officer for Financial Investigations and banking orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, including processing up to £multi-million settlements where required.
• Apply specialist maritime expertise and knowledge as necessary to enforcement policy and procedures.

Person specification
About You
To be successful as the Deputy Head, Regulatory Compliance, and Investigations Team, you will have:

• Significant experience in an enforcement management investigatory role.
• Extensive practical experience of leading complex investigations of Regulatory Health & Safety criminal offences and of case file preparation in conjunction with lawyers of those cases for criminal court.
• Working knowledge of PACE, CPIA, RIPA and relevant code of practice and experience of monitoring and managing their implementation in an enforcement context.
• Extensive experience within Coroners Courts and Fatal Accident Inquiries.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships at all levels, applying your knowledge to suit wider organisational objectives and policies.

Additional Information
This role will be based in the Southampton HQ. MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work. The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. There may be a requirement for occasional travel on official duty within the UK, which may involve overnight stays. A passport valid for international travel is required for this role. A full UK Driving Licence is required for this role.
How to Apply
CV and Personal Statement:
As part of your application, you will be required to complete a CV and a Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Within your CV and personal statement please demonstrate your knowledge and experience of:

• Significant experience in an enforcement management investigatory role.
• Extensive practical experience of leading complex investigations of Regulatory Health & Safety criminal offences and of case file preparation in conjunction with lawyers of those cases for criminal court.
• Working knowledge of PACE, CPIA, RIPA and relevant code of practice and experience of monitoring and managing their implementation in an enforcement context.
• Extensive experience within Coroners Courts and Fatal Accident Inquiries.

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1,000 words.
It is essential when submitting your personal statement that you provide as much detail as possible, and utilise the full word count given, against the essential criteria outlined above as this will be used in conjunction with your CV to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process.
Sift and Interview Dates:
The sift is due to take place 28th and 29th April 2025.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held 12th, 19th and 20th May 2025.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.