Head of Authorisation (Senior Operations Manager)

UKRN; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is seeking a Head of Authorisation (Senior Operations Manager) to lead the Authorisation function.

You will deliver the annual practising certificate renewals, maintain the roll, and manage complex casework, directing a 40–50 strong team while driving continuous improvement and service excellence.

The role requires strong operational delivery, data-driven decision making, and collaborative leadership across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the annual practising certificate renewals exercise.
• Keep the roll that records practitioners practicing status annually.
• Manage casework in a regulated environment.
• Direct a team of 40–50 professionals with a culture of high performance.
• Drive continuous improvement and deliver high-quality customer service.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the SRA to align with regulatory goals.

Job description

Head of Authorisation (Senior Operations Manager)

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.

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