Head of Forensic Investigations

Surrey & Sussex Police; England; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading police force in the region is looking for a Head of Forensic Investigations to provide strategic leadership and manage compliance in forensic services. This role involves ensuring effective performance management and continuous improvement within the department. Ideal candidates will hold a degree or equivalent experience, possess exceptional leadership skills, and have substantial experience in operational forensic services. A commitment to public service and the ability to manage complex teams is essential. The position offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Discounts for everyday spend

On-site gyms

Financial wellbeing guidance

Qualifications

• Degree or significant relevant experience required.
• Leading through change with resilience.
• Experience managing operational forensic services.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership for policy development.
• Manage compliance with forensic regulations.
• Identify and mitigate departmental risks.

Skills

Exceptional leadership skills

Change management leadership skills

Budget management

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to assimilate complex information

Education

Degree level or equivalent experience

Job description

Vacancy Information

This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.

Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.

Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowances and hours.

Division / Department - Specialist Crime

Grade - Surrey Police Level 4 / Sussex Police M4

Status - Full Time

Contract Type - Permanent

Salary Grade Range - Surrey Police £93,025 - £98,690 / Sussex Police £85,359 - £101,163

Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week

Shift Allowance - No

Politically Restricted - Yes

Location - Multiple Locations (see advert)

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro‑rated if the working hours are less than full time.

Chief Constables' Message

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner

The Role & Key Responsibilities

From your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference.

It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe.

In this role you will

• Provide effective, strategic leadership to promote the development of corporate and national policy, business planning and development, organisational performance management and strategic liaison with key stakeholders.
• Deliver within an environment of continuous change and challenging financial constraints.
• Be responsible and accountable for the management of and compliance with forensic regulations and accreditations (ISO:17025 and ISO:17020).
• Set the vision and strategic plan for the department conducive to the wider objectives of the organisation. Provide leadership to the department in the delivery of such plans.
• Ensure risks, both strategic and departmental are appropriately identified, mitigated and finalized.
• Be responsible for the continuous improvement of the department identifying best practice and learning.
• Ensure customer service is provided to investigative colleagues whilst providing value for money.
• Ensuring respect and courtesy in the workplace built on a strong foundation on wellbeing and inclusion.

Skills & Experience

• Degree level or have substantial recent evidence of competent performance in a directly relevant equivalent role.
• Exceptional leadership skills and qualities. The post holder must have experience of leading through organisational change and give evidence of their own personal resilience.
• Demonstrate their extensive experience in the management of operational forensic services within a forensic and police related environment.
• Significant experience of managing a team of professionals with a proven ability to effectively performance manage staff, providing honest & timely feedback and supporting them to improve their own performance.
• Change management leadership skills, including experience of project development and implementation with significant financial, HR, technology, professional, learning and development, facilities, or communications strands.
• Substantial senior business management experience, including multi‑functional professional disciplines in a large complex service sector organisation.
• Be able to demonstrate continuous professional development at a personal and professional level.
• Ability to assimilate complex information quickly, weighing up alternatives and making sound, timely decisions.
• A proven track record for delivering continuous improvement, with the ability to work at a strategic and detailed level.
• Ability to evaluate the complexity of problems and identify and understand the root cause (using evidence, intel etc).
• Ability to view issues from multiple perspectives and to problem solve in a fast‑paced environment, connecting the links to other business areas / issues.
• Ability to diagnose the cause, propose options for resolution and proactively deliver the solution themselves or through others.
• Experience of working collaboratively and productively with key stakeholders.
• Experience of successfully leading business development and implementing improvement change at a senior level.
• Experience of influencing and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders (chief officers, external service suppliers, other public sector organisations and members of the public) demonstrating excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Evidence of delivering excellent public service, contributing towards the overall aims and values of the organisation.
• Experience of leading teams who work in difficult and traumatic environments and be able to provide the appropriate level of support using available processes and policies.
• Experience with departmental risk and issue management.
• Experience of budget management and control.
• The ability to travel regularly to locations within and beyond the counties of Surrey and Sussex, visiting staff and attending meetings.
• Have a high level of personal integrity and successfully attain and maintain security vetting and appropriate clearance to work in the post‑holder’s intelligence environment.

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi‑time and home working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• discounts for everyday spend
• on‑site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police or Sussex Police

Further Information

This is a politically restricted position, to view the Political Restrictions Policy for Police Staff click here

The role will be based either in Lewes or Guildford (Mount Browne).

On occasion there is the opportunity to work remotely depending on the needs of the business.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a formal interview to do a short presentation on a specific topic (more details in the invitation) and answer questions based on the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) Level 3.

If you have any questions please contact Lyubov Rackham

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti‑racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti‑racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti‑racism statement here.

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police

Additional Information

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any re employees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non‑collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.

Attachments

• Head of Forensic Investigations - Surrey and Sussex v4.docx