Legal Operations Manager

We are recruiting for a brand-new position of Legal Operations Manager as part of our continued organisational development and improvements within the General Dental Council (GDC). Working in our Legal and Governance directorate based in London, and reporting into the Executive Director, Legal and Governance. This role will support the delivery of effective and efficient operations of the Directorate by supporting high quality operational management and continuous improvement of the services delivered in line with our strategic priorities and values.

The role:

• In collaboration with the L&G Leadership team, provide effective input into the annual business planning and budgeting cycle, whilst leading on the delivery of strategic forward workplans for teams aligned to the delivery of organisational goals, strategic priorities and with our values in mind.
• Lead the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives whilst as an effective problem solver identifying areas for improvement and delivering solutions by working both independently with the need for minimal direction - and collaboratively with others.
• Support the development and monitoring of an appropriate performance and outcomes framework, with metrics that support data-driven insights and decision making.
• Support the L&G Leadership team by co-ordinating the collation and analysis of management information and performance data to enable informed decision making and oversee performance monitoring and compliance within the Directorate, together with assisting the Directorate leadership team with ensuring compliance with the requirements of legal professional regulators.
• Working with the Project Management Officer and wider leadership, use management information and analysis to identify trends and patterns in the business flow and ensure actions are taken to support the Directorate to meet service level agreements.
• Support operational teams by acting as a central hub of information and co-ordination for the Directorate, whilst promoting role model behaviours in line with the GDC values.
• Design and oversee a knowledge management framework for the Directorate, ensure that internal and external facing guidance documents are up to date, reviewed and reflect legal and regulatory requirements.

Person Specification:

• Experience of working in a regulatory environment, in a management role to deliver high quality services. (essential)
• An appropriate qualification (such as business administration, law, or project management) or equivalent legal and operational management experience (desirable)
• Experience of improving legal processes and optimising functions to improve quality and timeliness, together with experience of implementing technology in legal settings, and of financial and business planning and risk management.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor, motivate and challenge others to attain goals and pursue excellence, whilst also building positive relationships at a senior level, internally and externally.
• Evidence of demonstrating initiative, logical thinking and problem solving with keen analytical skills with highly developed problem solving, time management and a commitment to learning and development.

About us:

Our primary purpose is to protect patient safety and maintain public confidence in dental services. To achieve this, we register qualified dental professionals, set standards for the dental team, investigate complaints about dental professionals' fitness to practise, and work to ensure the quality of dental education.

Benefits:

• 27 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) - rising to 30 days (plus 8 bank holidays) after 2 years service
• Flexi-time scheme
• Employer pension contributions up to 10%
• Buy/Sell annual leave
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave from 1 years service.
• Life assurance, income protection plan and enhanced sick leave policy
• Staff discounts including eye care contributions and discounted gym membership

We encourage and support the recruitment, retention, and career development of people from as wide a range as possible of ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds.

How to apply:

Please click the apply button. As part of your application you will be required to submit a supporting statement. Please ensure you provide examples in your covering application/statement expanding on your experience in the following areas:

• Experience of working in a regulatory environment, in a management role to deliver high quality services. (essential)
• Experience of improving legal processes and optimising functions to improve quality and timeliness, together with experience of implementing technology in legal settings, and of financial and business planning and risk management.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor, motivate and challenge others to attain goals and pursue excellence, whilst also building positive relationships at a senior level, internally and externally.
• Evidence of demonstrating initiative, logical thinking and problem solving with keen analytical skills with highly developed problem solving, time management and a commitment to learning and development.

A full job description is available in the application summary section of your application. Closing date for this role is 23:59 on Sunday 1 February 2026. Please note that we reserve the right to bring this recruitment campaign to an end without notice, and we encourage all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.