Head of Investigations (Enhanced Case Management)

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full time

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: £65,000 for Birmingham and Cardiff, £71,500 for London or in accordance with pay policy

Location Options: Birmingham with part of the week working from home, Cardiff with part of the week working from home, London with part of the week working from home

Function Type: Investigations

Are you a leader with proven experience in Investigation, Intelligence, audit and/or professional regulation? We are looking to appoint two Head of Investigations (Enhanced Case Management) to join our growing Investigations and Enforcement directorate. This is a hybrid role and can be based in our Birmingham, Cardiff or London office.

The role: The Head of Investigations (Enhanced Case Management) leads our specialist investigations teams, overseeing Investigation Officers and Managers in handling complex and high-profile cases of serious misconduct. In this critical role, you will ensure the highest standards in the quality and timeliness of investigations, delivering outcomes that protect the public and uphold professional standards, while providing a credible deterrence within the regulated community.

You will be responsible for ensuring that all assessments and investigations meet our case handling standards and key performance indicators (KPIs). With a strong focus on risk-based decision-making, guided by our enforcement strategy and the SRA Threshold Test, you will lead the development of technical expertise across teams, promote excellent customer service, and foster a positive, inclusive team culture. Effective oversight, performance management, and continuous improvement will be at the heart of your leadership approach.

What’s in it for you:

• A great opportunity to join the leadership team and influence and make a difference to the future direction of the directorate
• Working in a dynamic environment managing the day to day operations of Investigations department leading some of our most high-profile and high-risk cases
• Play a key part in delivering one of our corporate strategy objectives - we will deliver high professional standards by continuing to improve and maintain the quality and timeliness of our investigation and enforcement work.
• An opportunity to lead casework that is at the heart of our objective of increasing public trust and confidence in legal services.

What we are looking for:

• Proven leadership experience in one or more of the following areas - Investigation, Intelligence, audit or professional risk based regulation.
• Detailed knowledge of the SRA Standards and Regulations and other key legislation such as the Money Laundering Regulations and Proceeds of Crime Act.
• Proven experience of decision making and case direction at senior level on complex issues/investigations, with an appreciation of decision making in a regulatory or legal environment.
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to communicate effectively internally and externally, including being a credible representative of the SRA.
• Significant experience of applying and interpreting legislation, policy and criteria in decision making.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills to develop and implement solutions to complex and challenging issues.

We are also recruiting for Head of Investigations (Assessment and Early Resolution team); please visit our career site to view the job advert and apply for the role(s) that best match your experience and skill set.

Useful and additional information: There is a Role Profile attached at the bottom of the advert on our website. This role can be based in our Birmingham, Cardiff or London office. We operate on a hybrid working model which means working two days a week in the office, and rest of the week from home. There is a requirement for the successful candidate to be in the Birmingham office one day a week as the team and stakeholders are primarily based in Birmingham. The starting salary for this role is £65,000. For those eligible, an additional 10% London weighting will apply.

If you have any questions that are not answered in the advert or on our website or would like to have a confidential chat, you can contact us via recruitment@sra.org.uk.

To apply: Please click 'apply' to complete the online application form and upload a CV and cover letter, addressing how you meet the requirements of the role. The Cover Letter should be no longer than 2 pages.

The closing date for applications is 2 July 2026 at 23:55. Assessment and Interviews are anticipated to take place in the weeks of 14 and/or 21 July.

The SRA is the independent regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, protecting consumers and supporting the rule of law and the administration of justice. We do this by overseeing all education and training requirements necessary to practise as a solicitor, licensing individuals and firms to practise, setting the standards of the profession and regulating and enforcing compliance against these standards.

We offer an inclusive, supportive and friendly working environment and the chance to develop your career within a professional organisation. We are committed to the health and wellbeing of staff, helping everyone to strike a good balance between personal and professional life. Additionally, we provide a generous flexible benefits package, an excellent defined contribution pension scheme and an additional 3% of annual basic salary upon successful completion of probation.