Head of Investigations (Assessment and Early Resolution Team), SOLICITORS REGULATION AUTHORITY

Guardian Jobs; London (OR); Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regulatory body is seeking a Head of Investigations for its Assessment and Early Resolution team. This hybrid role requires an experienced leader to ensure quality assessments and effective investigations to uphold professional standards within the regulated community.

Benefits

Opportunity to join leadership team

Dynamic work environment

Influence the directorate's future direction

Qualifications

• Extensive relevant regulatory experience from a regulatory body, investigatory function and/or significant law practice experience.
• Significant experience of monitoring high standards in quality and performance across large operational teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise key outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Assessment and Early Resolution Team ensuring quality case assessments.
• Ensure all assessments meet case handling standards and performance metrics.
• Foster a positive, inclusive team culture and promote excellent customer service.

Skills

Regulatory experience

Decision-making skills

Stakeholder management

Quality assurance

Job description

Head of Investigations (Assessment and Early Resolution team)

Are you a leader with extensive regulatory experience from a regulatory body, investigatory function and/or significant law practice experience?

We are looking to appoint a Head of Investigations (Assessment and Early Resolution team) to join our growing Investigations and Enforcement directorate. This is a hybrid role and can be based in our Birmingham, Cardiff or London office.

The role

The Head of Investigations leads the Assessment and Early Resolution Team (AERT), ensuring appropriate assessments are made in every case to provide high quality and timely decisions about whether or not further investigation is required. This role is central to delivering high-quality, timely decisions that protect the public, uphold professional standards, and provide a credible deterrent within the regulated community. You will play a key role in the leadership of the Investigations department and contribute to the broader strategic direction of the Investigations and Enforcement Directorate.

You will be responsible for ensuring that all assessments and investigations meet our case handling standards and key performance indicators (KPIs). With a strong focus on risk-based decision-making, guided by our enforcement strategy and the SRA Threshold Test, you will lead the development of technical expertise across teams, promote excellent customer service, and foster a positive, inclusive team culture. Effective oversight, performance management, and continuous improvement will be at the heart of your leadership approach.

Please see the Role Profile on our jobs page for the full job specification.

What's in it for you

• Working in a dynamic environment managing the day to day operations of Investigations department.
• Play a key part in delivering one of our corporate strategy objectives - we will deliver high professional standards by continuing to improve and maintain the quality and timeliness of our investigation and enforcement work.
• A great opportunity to join the leadership team and influence and make a difference to the future direction of the directorate.

What we are looking for

• Extensive relevant regulatory experience from a regulatory body, investigatory function and/or significant law practice experience
• Significant experience of effectively monitoring and driving high standards in quality and performance across large operational teams, including delivery effective delivery against challenging KPIs
• Highly developed decision-making skills and good judgment with ability to make well-reasoned decisions on misconduct. Strong knowledge of the application of risk principles and the operation of risk management processes
• A credible individual with strong personal and influencing skills, and evidence of networking effectively and building relationships with key stakeholders
• Evidence of working in a dynamic environment with ability to work under pressure and able to prioritise to achieve key outcomes for the team
• Ability to demonstrate energy, confidence and flexibility, in the delivery of change.

We are also recruiting for Head of Investigations (Enhanced Case Management); please visit our career site to view the job advert and apply for the role(s) that best match your experience and skill set.

Useful and additional information

There is a Role Profile attached at the bottom of the advert on our website.

This role can be based in our Birmingham, Cardiff or London office. We operate on a hybrid working model which means working two days a week in the office, and rest of the week from home. There is a requirement for the successful candidate to be in the Birmingham office one day a week as the team and stakeholders are primarily based in Birmingham. The starting salary for this role is £65,000. For those eligible, an additional 10% London weighting will apply.

If you have any questions that are not answered in the advert or on our website or would like to have a confidential chat, you can contact us via .

To apply

Please click 'apply' to complete the online application form and upload a CV and cover letter, addressing how you meet the requirements of the role. The Cover Letter should be no longer than 2 pages.

To find out more about the recruitment and selection process and how to make the most of your application, please visit our jobs pages.

Closing date for applications is 2 July 2025 at 23:55. Assessment and Interviews are anticipated to take place in the weeks of 14 and/or 21 July.