Heads of Legal Service in Edinburgh

93094.00 - 117042 per annum + Exceptional BenefitsEdinburghPermanentHead of Legal for the Legal Services Office - Scottish Parliamentary ServiceThis is a rare and nationally significant leadership role, offering the chance to lead the fully embedded in-house legal function of the Scottish Parliament at the heart of Scottish democracy and civic life. Working Pattern: 35hours per week, hybrid workingSalary: 93,094 - 117,042Pension: 28.97% employer contributionHoliday: 41.5 days (including public holidays)Location: Holyrood, Edinburgh (Hybrid)The OpportunityAs Head of Legal Services, you will take ultimate responsibility for all legal work required to ensure the smooth and lawful operation of the Scottish Parliament. Reporting to the Director of Parliamentary Business, you will hold a direct line to the Chief Executive and will be trusted to engage with them on critical workstreams. You will have line management responsibility for the Team Leaders within the Legal Services Office and the Office Manager. The Legal Services Office is a team of around 25 staff whose work spans two core areas. The Corporate and Commercial team handles matters including commercial contracts, employment, procurement, compliance, data protection and freedom of information. The Parliamentary team manages public law matters arising from the Parliament's operation, including supporting committees in their scrutiny of the Scottish Government, advising on constitutional law, ensuring procedural adherence and supporting on all matters relating to the Parliament's execution of devolved responsibilities. Your role will encompass the full spectrum of these responsibilities, including horizon scanning, risk mitigation and crisis management. Why This RoleIt is rare to find a position which offers this quality of career satisfaction through work of such civic importance. The decisions you make will have wide-reaching impact on the operation of the Scottish Parliament, the legality and quality of its output, and the upholding of the rule of law in Scotland. The work of the Legal Services Office is exceptionally high quality, varied and impactful. In addition to the national significance of the position, you will play a meaningful part in the professional development of a close-knit, talented and like-minded team. You will have significant experience of leading effective and efficient legal services, and the integrity to uphold the high personal and professional standards that this role demands. A strategic thinker with outstanding influencing skills, you will be able to convey sensitive and complex legal matters clearly and succinctly, and to inspire confidence at the most senior levels. You will have a strong understanding of parliamentary law and operation, or a demonstrable ability to develop this quickly, and will be capable of providing strategic leadership across the full range of parliamentary activity. Outstanding people management skills are essential. You will have a proven track record of motivating and inspiring multi-functional teams, leading colleagues confidently through major organisational change, and providing strong mentoring and coaching. You will be passionate about contributing to an inclusive and collaborative working culture which values diversity and encourages openness. You will have a well-developed ability to identify, assess and mitigate risk, both through horizon scanning and live crisis management, and will be a confident self-starter in this regard. A thorough appreciation of the importance of impartiality, and a commitment to supporting all politicians on an equal basis, will be fundamental to your approach. Team and CultureThe Legal Services Office has a strongly ethos-driven culture, built upon the Parliament's core values of stewardship, excellence, respect and inclusiveness. Team members support one another both professionally and personally, operating in a cohesive and empathetic manner. The team are high-performing and were recognised as such at the Scottish Legal Awards, where they won Public Sector In-House Team of the Year in 2021.The Scottish Parliament are a Disability Confident Leader employer and are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. If you have a disability defined by the Equality Act 2010, you are eligible to apply through the guaranteed interview scheme. Under the scheme the Parliament guarantee to interview anyone with a disability, being recruited for a role employed by the Scottish Parliament. Reach out to Daniel Tudor at daniel@jmc-legal.