Head of Authorisation (Senior Operations Manager)

UK Regulators' Network; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Solicitors Regulation Authority in Birmingham is seeking a Head of Authorisation PCR to oversee the annual practising certificate renewals and roll exercises, while leading a 40–50 person team. You will drive change, improve performance, and ensure high standards of governance and customer service across the organisation.

The role requires strategic leadership, collaboration across departments, and a proactive approach to risk management within a regulatory environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the annual practising certificate renewals exercise and keep the roll exercise up to date.
• Lead a team of 40–50 professionals, inspiring high performance and continuous improvement.
• Drive efficiency and customer service by leading by example and embedding SRA values.
• Deliver change initiatives and act as the operational subject matter expert.
• Collaborate across the SRA to ensure KPIs are achieved with focus on quality and risk.
• Foster a high‑performance culture through data‑driven insights and strong controls.

Job description

Solicitors Regulation Authority

Solicitors Regulation Authority, https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/jobs/careers/

Requirements of the role

The SRA regulates around 200,000 solicitors and around 9,400 law firms. The different teams in Authorisation assess individuals’ suitability to be a solicitor, either as a sole practitioner or within legal firms realising the SRA’s ambition as a regulator in driving trust and confidence in legal services.

As a Head of Authorisation PCR, you will have overall responsibility for the delivery of the annual practising certificate renewals exercise alongside the annual keeping of the roll exercise and managing casework, consistent with a modern and proportionate approach to regulation. Directing a team of 40-50 dedicated professionals, you will inspire, motivate and engage, alongside instilling a culture of continuous improvement and driving high performance. Enhancing efficiency and customer service by managing by example and fostering a culture that embodies SRA values within your teams.

With robust skills and knowledge of operational delivery, you will ensure the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) with a focus on quality and risk. You will be equally skilled in the delivery of change initiatives, alongside being the operational subject matter expert, collaborating closely with colleagues across the SRA. Your role will involve nurturing a high-performance culture enabled through data-driven insights, maintaining high controls and proactive risk identification and management, and developing best practices within your area.

This is a high-profile role within the SRA, engaging effectively at various levels across the organisation. Accordingly, this will require an adaptive style of leadership and communication ensuring positive engagement and influencing skills. Alongside, you will bring a management style that’s collaborative and empathetic with a high level of self-awareness.

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Location

Birmingham

Contract type

Full time, Permanent

Profession

Authorisations, Compliance, Legal, Manager, Operations, Quality Assurance, Regulation, Risk

Working pattern

Flexible working, Hybrid

Closing Date

08/11/2026