Grade: Management Band 4 Salary: £69,366 - £75,675 per annum Closing Date: 27th January 2019

Are you ready to lead and implement the strategy and vision for the Joint Legal Services Department of West Midlands Police and Staffordshire Police?  

  Do you have substantial experience of transforming and leading a significant Legal Service in a large organisation?    Are you ready to join a team that is dedicated to building an environment that supports, challenges and enables our people to be the best they can be?    We are seeking an Assistant Director of Joint Legal Services This is an opportunity based in central Birmingham and offered on a permanent full time basis; flexible options considered. The post holder will be required to provide legal advice and representation on behalf of the Chief Constables of West Midlands and Staffordshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire on a range of operational and non-operational matters affecting the forces including matters of significant importance and complexity.     The post holder will be a senior leader in both the West Midlands Police and Staffordshire Police who leads Joint Legal Services and has a key role in setting and implementing strategy for the delivery of a specialist, high quality value for money legal service.    West Midlands Police (WMP), serves almost 2.8 million people – making it the second largest police force in England. With a current radical overhaul of all aspects of business through WMP2020 - a modernisation plan that is changing the way we operate. Staffordshire Police covers an area of over 1,000 square miles with a rich and diverse population of more than a million people. To continue to deliver a force fit to meet the National Policing Vision 2025 they are also overhauling aspects of the force through their SP25 program.    With expertise, commitment and dedication, you'll thrive in this senior role and help both forces to realise their ambitions.   Reporting to the Director of Joint Legal Services, the Assistant Director will be expected to strategically position and integrate the Joint Legal Services function within both organisations and be able to deliver long term business goals over a number of years. The successful candidate will need to ensure that the department is effectively aligned with the visions and objectives of both Forces.    You will be educated to degree level and qualified solicitor or barrister (with minimum of 7 years PQE). However, experience and level of expertise is going be assessed as part of the recruitment process. In this role you will have a high degree of independence, primarily based in central Birmingham at our West Midlands Police Lloyd House Headquarters (with the need to work from Staffordshire Headquarters as required.)   As the Assistant Director of Joint Legal Services you will have a high degree of independence with demonstrable leadership qualities. You will have exceptional communication, negotiation and presentation skills as well as a comprehensive understanding of public bodies and the issues affecting them.    You'll have a broad understanding and an awareness of policing practices and processes, coupled with the knowledge and skills to lead an effective Joint Legal Services function.

• WMP is a large and diverse organisation where you can develop your skills, knowledge and career in an encouraging and flexible environment. We're able to offer you a comprehensive range of rewards and benefits including: 
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays); increasing to 33 days after five years’ service
• access to a Corporate Health Cash Plan and Wellbeing website
• an agile modern working environment in central Birmingham 
• the opportunity to save on travel costs through a Corporate Travel Scheme 
• the option to join a generous Local Government pension scheme 

In return you can expect a rewarding career as a leader of an in-house police team as part of an organisation that recognises the importance of work/life balance and that offers a range of attractive benefits and a friendly and supportive work environment.   This is a unique opportunity for a lawyer of the right calibre.    Diversity is fundamental to our success. To tackle today’s complex policing challenges, we need a workforce made up from all of communities that we police. Applications from across the community are therefore essential.   Please note that closing date is 27th January 2019 (midnight) with interviews to take place w/c 11th February 2019 (dates to be booked).