Head of the Police National Legal Database (PNLD) in Wakefield

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

• Set the strategic direction for PNLD, shaping and delivering national strategies, performance frameworks and business plans that drive excellence, innovation and value for money.
• Provide overall leadership and direction for PNLD, ensuring delivery of a professional, high quality national service.
• Set and deliver PNLD’s national strategy, performance measures and business plans.
• Hold overall responsibility for PNLD’s legal content, including the national Standard Offence Wordings and all associated products and services.
• Provide 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.
• Oversee all business and operational functions, including governance, information management, ISO compliance, risk management, contracts, service level agreements and business cases.
• Lead PNLD’s financial management, with full responsibility for income and budget to ensure services are affordable, sustainable and deliver value for money.
• Drive continuous improvement, identifying opportunities for innovation, growth and enhanced service delivery.
• Build and maintain 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.
• Lead, manage and develop staff, promoting wellbeing, high performance and professional development.
• Embed 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 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.

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 using the link provided. Please note no other method of application will be considered as having applied.

• 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.