At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Police National Legal Database and shape legal services for policing across England and Wales.
- Company: Join West Yorkshire Police, a key player in the criminal justice system.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a secure pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national policing practices and support community safety.
- Qualifications: Degree in Law or related field, with extensive leadership experience in policing.
The predicted salary is between 70575 - 75180 £ per year.
Find out more about the daily tasks, overall responsibilities, and required experience for this opportunity by scrolling down now.
Salary: £70,575 progressing to £75,180
Contract: Permanent, full time
Location: Wakefield (hybrid working)
Looking for a senior national leadership role where you can shape legal services that support policing across England and Wales? West Yorkshire Police is seeking an exceptional senior leader to become the Head of the Police National Legal Database (PNLD). West Yorkshire Police is the host Force for this nationally significant role which sits at the heart of the criminal justice system, providing trusted legal information, products and services that supports policing across England and Wales and a wide range of national partners.
PNLD delivers high quality, accurate and authoritative legal content, including the national Standard Offence Wordings, used daily by police forces and criminal justice organisations. As Head of PNLD, you will provide strategic, operational and professional leadership, ensuring PNLD continues to meet evolving customer needs while maintaining its national reputation for excellence. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high profile national service, influence national policing practice at scale and make a lasting impact across the criminal justice landscape.
Role and Responsibilities
- You will set the strategic direction for PNLD, shaping and delivering national strategies, performance frameworks and business plans that drive excellence, innovation and value for money.
- Providing overall leadership and direction for PNLD, ensuring delivery of a professional, high quality national service.
- Setting and delivering PNLD’s national strategy, performance measures and business plans.
- Holding overall responsibility for PNLD’s legal content, including the national Standard Offence Wordings and all associated products and services.
- Providing high level specialist advice on criminal law and PNLD’s legal, technical and business services to senior leaders across the police service and partner organisations.
- Overseeing all business and operational functions, including governance, information management, ISO compliance, risk management, contracts, service level agreements and business cases.
- Leading PNLD’s financial management, with full responsibility for income and budget to ensure services are affordable, sustainable and deliver value for money.
- Driving continuous improvement, identifying opportunities for innovation, growth and enhanced service delivery.
- Building and maintaining influential stakeholder relationships across policing and the wider criminal justice sector, representing PNLD at national level and raising its profile across the criminal justice sector.
- Leading, managing and developing staff, promoting wellbeing, high performance and professional development.
- Embedding Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in all aspects of leadership, decision making and service delivery.
Expectations
- Operate confidently at senior and executive level within complex national environments.
- Provide clear strategic leadership and assurance in a dynamic and changing context.
- Balance competing priorities while maintaining high standards of governance and service delivery.
- Communicate complex legal and technical information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
- Act as a visible, credible and values led leader who leads by example.
Essential Criteria include
- Degree in Law, Business, Criminal Justice or equivalent qualification.
- Substantial knowledge of criminal law and its practical application within policing.
- Extensive experience of policing and the criminal justice environment.
- Proven significant senior leadership experience, with the ability to lead people, innovate and develop business and IT systems.
- Strong financial management and budget control experience.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proven ability to manage complex workloads and competing priorities.
Desirable Criteria include
- Postgraduate professional or management qualification.
- Experience of managing large scale or national services.
- Experience of building strategic partnerships across organisations.
Working Arrangements
This role operates on a hybrid basis, combining agile working with a regular presence at PNLD’s offices in central Wakefield. The successful candidate must be able to commute to Wakefield and be available to attend Wakefield at short notice when required. The post is not suitable for job share.
Benefits/What We Offer
- Generous annual leave allowance - 30 days annual leave, rising to 35 days after five years of service (plus bank holidays).
- Flexible working options, including agile working arrangements to help you manage your professional and personal commitments.
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a secure Defined Benefit CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) pension scheme.
- Membership options for the Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children’s Charity (eligibility-dependent).
- Access to savings, discounts and cashback rewards through staff schemes, including eligibility to purchase a Blue Light Card.
- Option to sign up to our Cycle to work scheme (eligibility-dependent).
- Access to a wide range of internal wellbeing services and support programmes.
- Opportunities for professional development and training – attend Senior Leadership Forums, complete the Talent Management Programme (eligibility dependent) and complete the CMI Level 5 course (eligibility dependent).
- Supportive HR policies, including maternity, paternity and other family-friendly provisions.
- A meaningful career with a clear sense of purpose supporting policing services that protect communities.
- Opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups, and sports clubs.
We are proud to be a member of the Fair Work Charter.
For more information about what we offer, visit: Employee Benefits.
For more information about PNLD, visit: About Us · PNLD.
For more information about West Yorkshire Police, visit: About us | West Yorkshire Police.
How to Apply
This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally critical legal service and make a significant contribution to policing and the criminal justice system. All applications must be made via the West Yorkshire Police recruitment system, please submit your application on the link below. Please note no other method of application will be considered as having applied.
Status: Online Live Date: 1 Jun 2026, 07:00:00 BST
Posting Closing Date: 30 Jun 2026, 23:55:00 BST
Closing date: 30th June 2026
Interviews: Interviews will take place throughout July and August to accommodate the summer holiday period.
The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate vetting prior to appointment.
Head of the Police National Legal Database (PNLD) in Acomb employer: West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police offers a unique opportunity for senior leaders to make a significant impact on the criminal justice system while enjoying a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and access to various internal support programmes, employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance in the vibrant city of Wakefield. Join us to lead a nationally critical service and contribute to meaningful policing efforts across England and Wales.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of the Police National Legal Database (PNLD) in Acomb
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the policing and legal sectors. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research West Yorkshire Police and the PNLD thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent developments. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your past experiences in leading teams and driving change. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to innovate and manage complex projects, especially in the criminal justice context.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the only way to ensure your application is considered. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the opportunity. So, get your application in and let’s make this happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of the Police National Legal Database (PNLD) in Acomb
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of PNLD. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a senior leadership role, don’t shy away from sharing examples of your past leadership experiences. We want to see how you've led teams and driven change in complex environments.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Make sure your points are easy to read and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that communicate your ideas effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, the only way to apply is through our recruitment system. So, make sure you submit your application via the link provided. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Yorkshire Police
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
As the Head of PNLD, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of criminal law and its application in policing. Brush up on key legal concepts and recent changes in legislation that could impact the role. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your expertise and readiness for the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects, especially in complex environments. Highlight how you’ve driven innovation and improved service delivery, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the strategic direction of PNLD and West Yorkshire Police. Be ready to discuss how you would align PNLD’s goals with national policing strategies. Showing that you can think strategically about the future of legal services in policing will set you apart.
✨Build Relationships
Stakeholder management is key in this role. Think about how you’ve built and maintained relationships in previous positions. Be prepared to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you would engage with various partners across the criminal justice sector to enhance PNLD's profile.
