Assistant Legal Services Manager in Cwmbran

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Legal Services Manager. As a professional manager working at corporate level across the organisation, the post offers exposure to a broad range of Coroner and Inquest work. The Assistant Legal Services Manager will be part of the Inquest Team within Legal Services, which is part of the Corporate Nursing Team. Supervised by the lead Legal Services Manager for inquests, the postholder will assist in managing the Health Board's inquests and Coroner matters. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

• Daily responsibility for the conduct and management of your own Inquest caseload, communicating directly with staff across the Health Board, including senior members of the Executive Team and members of the Board.
• The postholder will work independently and be a self‑managing professional with day‑to‑day responsibility for oversight and progression of their caseload. Senior members of the team will be available to support.
• To provide an integral role to ensure efficient management of all investigations and inquests by HM Coroner's office.
• To ensure sound working relationships internally and externally to deliver a demanding portfolio of work.
• The post holder will have conduct of their own cases and as such should have relevant and suitable knowledge and experience from a claims, legal, inquest or related investigatory background.

Job responsibilities

This is a challenging but exciting role. The post requires an individual who is able to work under pressure, with competing demands, to strict deadlines, working at pace and with high volume complex and confidential matters. We are looking for an individual who has excellent organisational, analytical, and communication skills, with a desire and capability to work closely and effectively with managers, clinicians, and staff across all disciplines, including Coroners officers and other stakeholders. You must demonstrate initiative and have an enthusiasm to get the job done. The nature of the work can be demanding, requiring strong inter‑personal skills with empathy and understanding for others vital, requiring tact, diplomacy and emotional strength and intellect. Travel will be required between Health Board sites, external stakeholders, Courts and Inquests.

Benefits

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in‑house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work‑life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Degree or equivalent demonstrable level of knowledge and experience PLUS Specialist knowledge of Inquests, civil claims, PTR Regulations to postgraduate Diploma level
• Law degree
• CILEX Member
• Knowledge of Datix or Case Management Systems

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Positive attitude towards change
• Ability to represent the legal service team in a professional manner at all times
• Able to provide and receive complex and sensitive information
• Able to maintain concentration with frequent interruption
• Ability to work in often difficult or emotional circumstances
• Conscientious, confident, flexible and professional approach to work
• Ability to prioritise and organise own work
• Ability to recognise own capabilities
• Evidence of excellent client care skills
• Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in Welsh.

Experience

• Experience in a case management role
• Experience supporting individuals in difficult situations
• Experience in a fast paced, high‑volume environment, working to deadlines
• Dealing with emotional, sensitive and sympathetic situations
• Writing formal reports and briefings to a wide and varied audience
• Production and analysis of performance data
• Experience of conflict resolution and dealing with difficult situations
• Experience of working for or with NHS organisations
• Experience managing inquests, claims or related areas
• Experience of Datix risk management system or other case management systems

Other

Requirement to work outside normal working hours on occasion. Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.