Investigations Manager in Sunderland

About Safecall & Law Debenture

Safecall is a whistleblowing service provider, helping organisations establish an independent, safe and confidential reporting system since 1999.

Our whistleblowing hotline and online reporting allows employees to Speak Up and report their concerns to the highest levels of management.

We recognise the value of an effective whistleblowing programme in supporting both employers and employees to address wrongdoing in the workplace.

We support over 1,000 customers in 100 countries globally.

In our 20 year history we have successfully managed tens of thousands of cases on behalf of our clients and their employees.

Law Debenture is our parent company, and is an Investment Trust supported by a wholly owned professional services business.

Law Deb is an unusual and exciting proposition; on a day–to-day basis we are nimble, ambitious and small enough to know everyone by name, whilst also benefiting from the profile and credibility of a listed business.

This is thanks to our 137-year-old FTSE250 investment trust and our fast-growing independent professional services business of over 300 colleagues across 6 business lines including Safecall.

We’re on a journey to shape a culture we’re all proud to be part of.

One where everyone feels trusted, supported and empowered to own their success.

Working with us, you will have access to our enviable network of clients and innovative projects, as well as brilliant colleagues to learn from and collaborate with.

Role Overview

The Investigations Manager is responsible for the operational delivery of all Safecall investigations, ensuring quality, consistency, client satisfaction and investigator performance.

This is a new full-time role created to provide the management capacity required to support the investigations function through its planned growth trajectory.

Initially the role will combine operational management with acting as a workplace investigator.

As volumes grow, the balance will shift progressively towards management and oversight.

The role works closely with Business Development, Account Management, Operations and Finance to ensure seamless client delivery and commercial performance, and is responsible for developing and continuously improving investigation frameworks, standards and processes.

• Job Role & Responsibilities
• Operational Delivery
• Oversee day-to-day delivery of all investigations, allocating the right investigator to each matter and acting as first point of contact throughout the life of a case.
• Agree terms of reference with commissioning managers at the outset of each investigation.
• Review all investigation reports before delivery to clients, ensuring quality and consistency.
• Lead high-profile, sensitive and complex investigations where senior oversight is required, and act as investigator directly where capacity or specialist expertise requires it.
• Ensure accurate case records are maintained in the case management system, with all investigators logging billable hours, communications and documentation correctly.
• Ensure robust governance, quality assurance and compliance across all investigative practices.
• Investigator Management
• Lead and manage the panel of consultant investigators, providing direction, performance oversight and professional development.
• Recruit additional investigators to maintain appropriate breadth of specialist skills across workplace, whistleblowing, fraud, governance, regulatory and safeguarding matters.
• Manage consultant onboarding, compliance and ongoing panel standards in line with Safecall's requirements.
• Build capability and succession within the investigations function, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Support the adoption of emerging technologies and AI-assisted investigation techniques, ensuring team capability develops alongside evolving industry practices.
• Commercial and Client Engagement
• Work with Business Development, Account Management and Enterprise Management teams on new investigation leads, proposals and contracts.
• Meet prospective and existing clients where required, presenting Safecall's investigations capability with credibility and confidence.
• Act as Safecall's subject matter expert on workplace investigations, supporting sales activity, proposals, webinars, roundtables and thought leadership.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex, sensitive or high-risk client matters.
• Ensure clients receive regular and effective communication throughout each investigation, and support the Account Management team in resolving billing queries, scope or fee disputes.
• Confirm accurate case and time data to support invoicing, escalating disputes to the Strategic Relationship Director where appropriate.
• Quality, Compliance and Continuous Improvement
• Maintain and continuously improve quality control systems, investigative methodologies and operational processes across the function.
• Monitor service performance, investigator utilisation and quality standards, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory and data protection requirements, including the secure handling of sensitive and confidential information.
• Ensure technology and AI adoption aligns with ethical, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain awareness of developments in legislation, regulation and best practice relevant to workplace investigations.
• Reporting and Systems
• Provide regular MI and reporting on case volumes, investigator utilisation, pipeline, quality and operational performance to the Strategic Relationship Director.
• Support forecasting, capacity planning and resource allocation across the function.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of systems, reporting frameworks and management information.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Significant experience of conducting and managing workplace investigations across a range of matter types, including conduct, grievance, whistleblowing, fraud and regulatory investigations.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams or panels of investigators, including work allocation, performance management and quality assurance.
• Strong understanding of employment law, regulatory requirements and data protection obligations as they relate to workplace investigations.
• Experience of developing operational processes, quality frameworks and governance arrangements.
• High standard of written English, with the ability to produce and review clear, structured and legally robust investigation reports.
• Excellent organisational and case management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple investigations simultaneously.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of professional services delivery, billing and resource management.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery in a growing business.
• Experience of case management or investigations management systems is desirable.
• Background in professional services, HR consultancy, law enforcement, legal or regulatory environments is advantageous.
• Your Reward
• Competitive salary with performance bonus scheme
• Generous pension contribution
• Full healthcare cover
• Health cash plan
• Life assurance
• Buy/sell annual leave scheme
• Additional Information

People who thrive at Law Deb make the most of this foundation to grow themselves, help us improve and have fun playing their part in building the culture that’s fuelling our growth.

Law Deb hires people based on personal merit and qualifications regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background or any other protected attribute.

We celebrate the diversity of our colleagues and provide an inclusive environment so you can bring your true self to work.

We recognise that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success.

If you feel that you require any reasonable adjustments to be able to participate in this recruitment process, please provide further details where prompted.

Please note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.

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