Solicitor to the Parliament

Are you looking for an exciting new challenge at the heart of democracy in Scotland?

Our vision is to make a positive difference to the lives of the people of Scotland. A key priority for the Scottish Parliament is to ensure we’re continuing to meet the needs of MSPs, the Parliament and the public. We strive to deliver our services and facilities effectively and efficiently, always putting people at the centre of what we do.

The Solicitor to the Parliament is a key member of the senior staff of the Parliamentary Service and provides legal advice to the Clerk/Chief Executive, the Presiding Officer and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. This critical role touches on every aspect of the work of the Parliament, including our interface with Government and external bodies.

The successful candidate will lead a dedicated team of parliamentary lawyers and shape our future legal services. The Parliament is a vibrant, fast-paced, and dynamic organisation supported by excellent staff dedicated to delivering our services. We have high levels of staff motivation and commitment, as well as an iconic working environment, making the Parliament an excellent place to work.

About the role:

• Help the Scottish Parliament make a difference to the lives of the people of Scotland.
• Working in the heart of Scottish democracy, you’ll strategically lead the Legal Office in the Scottish Parliament.
• You’ll be an experienced qualified solicitor with an active practicing certificate in Scotland (or an ability to gain one quickly) with significant experience of leading effective and efficient legal services.
• Integrity to uphold personal and professional standards will be vital to ensure the impartiality required in this role and forge trusted relationships.
• You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels and externally.
• You’ll convey sensitive or complex legal and other issues clearly and succinctly.
• A strategic thinker, with outstanding influencing skills, and someone who can instil confidence at senior levels.
• You’ll provide strategic leadership on legal issues across the full range of parliamentary activity.
• A strong understanding of Parliamentary law and operation, or an ability to develop this quickly, is a requirement.
• You’ll have outstanding people management skills and proven experience of motivating and inspiring multi-functional teams.
• You’ll have a proven track record of working inclusively with a diverse range of people and groups.
• You’ll have outstanding mentoring and coaching skills and be passionate about contributing to an inclusive and collaborative working culture which values diversity and encourages openness.
• You’ll have a well-honed ability to identify, assess and mitigate risk, both in regard to horizon scanning and live crisis management.
• You’ll have an awareness of the importance of impartiality and will understand that your role is to support all politicians on an equal basis.

Key responsibilities:

• Providing high quality professional legal and operational advice as the principal legal adviser to the Parliament.
• Leading and directing, or personally undertaking, a range of activities, some of which may be considered complex and politically sensitive.
• Ensuring a robust management structure and business continuity arrangements are in place within your operational areas.
• Leading on complex agendas, whilst gaining the co-operation and agreement of stakeholders.
• Leading on or influencing the delivery of priorities set in the strategic plan.
• Leading through effective change management, including stakeholder engagement.
• Leading, managing and developing all staff within your office.
• Creating positive and supportive teams who consider the diverse needs and feelings of other colleagues.
• Championing a clear commitment to diversity and tackling exclusion.
• Developing and maintaining relevant external relationships to the Parliament.

Our benefits include:

• Hybrid working: from Holyrood, Edinburgh and from home.
• Working pattern: This role is full time however we’re happy to talk about flexible working.
• Flexitime: To meet business and personal needs, we have a progressive flexible working hours arrangement in place.
• Leave: 41.5 days (including public holidays).
• Pay progression: You’ll progress yearly until the top of the grade is reached.
• Pension: Civil Service pension arrangements, with a generous employer contribution of 28.97% of annual salary.

You can make a difference. From day one your experience, views and input will be sought and valued. You’ll have the opportunity to shape our organisational strategy, programmes, and services. We’re committed to providing an inclusive environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds and diverse thinking.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a Minority Ethnic background and Disabled candidates. All appointments will be made on merit. We have a values-based culture of respect and inclusion embedded in our organisation, and everyone can make a difference.

Apply for this job. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer that values and respects the people who work for us. All job applications are treated fairly, with respect and without bias.

If you have a disability, please let the JMC Legal team know if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process.