At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Police National Legal Database and shape legal services for policing across England and Wales.
- Company: West Yorkshire Police, a key player in the criminal justice system.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a lasting 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.
We are 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Head of the Police National Legal Database in Wakefield employer: West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police offers an exceptional opportunity for senior leaders to make a significant impact on the criminal justice system as the Head of the Police National Legal Database. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, professional development, and a supportive work culture, this role provides generous annual leave, flexible working options, and access to various internal support programmes. Located in central Wakefield, the position allows for hybrid working while contributing to a meaningful career that supports policing services across England and Wales.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of the Police National Legal Database in Wakefield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the policing and legal sectors on LinkedIn or at events. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make connections that could lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in criminal law and policing. We want you to be able to discuss how your experience aligns with the evolving needs of the PNLD.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've led teams or projects successfully. We need to see how you can drive change and innovation in a national service.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of the Police National Legal Database in Wakefield
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 hold back on sharing examples of your past leadership experiences. We want to see how you've influenced teams and driven change in complex environments.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to communicate your ideas and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Yorkshire Police
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of criminal law and its application within policing. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure the PNLD delivers high-quality legal content and services, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior leader, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership qualities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, managed complex projects, and driven innovation in previous roles. This will help you convey your ability to lead PNLD effectively.
✨Understand Stakeholder Relationships
Familiarise yourself with the key stakeholders in the criminal justice sector. Be ready to discuss how you would build and maintain influential relationships, as well as how you would represent PNLD at a national level to enhance its profile.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Think about the strategic direction you would take for PNLD. Be prepared to discuss your vision for the service, including how you would balance competing priorities while maintaining high standards of governance and service delivery.
