Director of Regulatory Policy and Innovation (18 month FTC)

Solicitors Regulation Authority; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Solicitors Regulation Authority seeks a Director of Regulatory Policy and Innovation for an 18-month fixed-term role to provide deep expertise in shaping regulatory policy and leading a dedicated team. This position involves significant responsibility in developing innovative policies addressing emerging risks and ensuring public trust in legal services.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Opportunity for leadership in policy development

Qualifications

• Proven track record in regulatory policy and development.
• Experience with significant programs and projects management.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead a dedicated team in regulatory policy development.
• Address emerging risks and opportunities in the legal market.
• Shape policy outcomes that impact the public interest.

Skills

Senior regulatory experience

Leadership

Policy development

Public speaking

Stakeholder management

Diplomacy

Job description

Solicitors Regulation Authority

Director of Regulatory Policy and Innovation (18 month FTC)

Salary: Birmingham or Cardiff base: £90,000 - £100,000; London base: £99,000 - £110,000

Location: Birmingham, London or Cardiff

Here at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) our core job is driving confidence and trust in legal services.

We regulate more than 200,000 solicitors and more than 9,000 law firms in England and Wales. We make sure solicitors are working to high professional standards, step-in to protect the public when needed, while supporting access to high quality legal services.

It’s an important job and we are looking for a Director of Regulatory Policy and Innovation on an 18-month fixed term basis to help us get it right – providing us with deep expertise in policy thinking and development, coupled with leading, developing and coaching the team who delivers this critical work for us.

Whether it’s the impact of AI, shifting risks in the legal market or high-profile cases, the legal landscape is shifting. If you have a track record of achievement in helping complex organisations with innovative and robust policy thinking to address emerging risks and opportunities, then this role is for you.

What’s in it for you?

• Play a key part in delivering work in the public interest
• Be instrumental in shaping creative policy development to address the key issues impacting the legal market and public who interact with it
• Showcase your leadership skills - lead a dedicated team of policy professionals

What we’re looking for:

• Senior regulatory and policy making experience
• Strong track record of delivering through others and leading effective teams
• Experience of leading significant programmes and projects at pace, managing competing priorities
• Deep knowledge of best practice in regulatory policy development
• Excellent writing skills
• Public speaking experience in a range of environments
• Thorough understanding of the political/economic regulatory environment
• Proven track record of influencing internal and external stakeholders at a senior level
• Experience of working with Boards, Board Committees and Board members
• Resilient and able to work in a constantly changing environment
• Proactive, open to challenge and makes decisions High level of diplomacy and political awareness
• Understanding of regulatory and operational risk and its impact upon the area.

Useful and additional information

We have a hybrid working model with a blend of home and office working. You will be expected in the office at least two days a week.

This role is for a fixed term period of 18 months. The post-holder can be based from one of our three offices in London, Birmingham or Cardiff.

Irrespective of which site the post holder is based from, there will be a requirement to travel to both the London and Birmingham offices on a regular basis for in person meetings and events.

GatenbySanderson is supporting this recruitment process. For more information, please click on Apply.

Closing Date: 17.00 on Friday 4 July 2025

Final Interviews: Thursday 17 July at the SRA office in Birmingham