RC8131 YHROCU Head of RECU / YH Regional Cyber - External + 4 Forces in Wakefield

RC8131 YHROCU Head of RECU / YH Regional Cyber - External + 4 Forces

RC8131 Head of Regional Economic Crime Unit (RECU) and Regional Cyber

Special Grade – salary £72,078 to £76,788

Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU)

Wakefield

Full time permanent – 37 hours

Reporting to: YHROCU Head of Operations

Lead the Regional Fight Against Economic Crime, Cyber Crime and Serious Organised Crime

The Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU) is seeking an outstanding senior leader to become our next Head of Economic Crime Unit (ECU) and Cyber.

This is a high-profile senior leadership role with responsibility for leading specialist regional capabilities that tackle some of the most significant threats facing communities, businesses and public services. You will oversee the strategic and operational delivery of economic crime, cyber crime, asset recovery and denial activity across the Yorkshire and Humber region, working alongside national law enforcement partners, government agencies and private sector organisations.

As a member of the YHROCU Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic direction, operational leadership and expert advice at regional and national level, helping shape the response to serious and organised crime across the UK.

About the Role

The Head of Regional ECU and Cyber has responsibility for the strategic management and tactical delivery of specialist Economic Crime and Cyber capabilities across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Working collaboratively with regional forces, the National Crime Agency (NCA), government departments, financial institutions and regulatory bodies, you will lead the development and delivery of innovative solutions to combat serious and organised crime.

This role requires a strategic thinker who can also operate effectively in complex operational environments, providing leadership during major investigations and critical incidents.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Lead, manage and continually develop the YHROCU Economic Crime and Cyber capabilities.
• Provide strategic leadership and operational direction across economic crime, cyber crime, financial investigation and asset recovery.
• Undertake the role of Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) where required in serious and complex investigations.
• Develop and implement regional strategies, policies and operating models that enhance performance and effectiveness.
• Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams comprising police officers, police staff and partner agency professionals.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to Chief Officers, Senior Leadership Teams and national policing forums.
• Build strong partnerships across policing, government, law enforcement agencies, regulators and the private sector.
• Coordinate regional responses to emerging threats, ensuring effective delivery against national and regional priorities.
• Maintain oversight of complex grant-funded programmes and significant regional budgets.
• Promote innovation, organisational learning and the adoption of best practice across Economic Crime and Cyber functions.
• Champion ethical leadership, inclusion, wellbeing and high professional standards.

Scale and Impact

This is an influential leadership role within YHROCU, with responsibility for:

• Leading and managing up to 60 direct reports from policing and partner organisations.
• Supporting the wider leadership of approximately 350 staff across YHROCU.
• Oversight of confiscated criminal assets of up to £30 million annually.
• Representing YHROCU at regional, national and international forums as required.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an accomplished, credible and inspirational leader with significant experience operating within serious and organised crime, economic crime or cyber investigations.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of successfully managing serious and complex crimes and the ability to pass the PIP 3 SIO course and accreditation in Serious and Organised Crime.
• Proven experience in dealing with Cyber and financial investigations and compiling complex financial reports for Senior Management / Chief Officers.
• Proven management and leadership experience.
• To either be or have the ability to become a Senior Authorising Officer (POCA - SAO) or significant proven experience in financial investigation.
• Knowledge and experience of creating, developing and implementing policy and strategy.
• Have knowledge of accounting procedures and has previous experience and ability in the development and application of complex computerised databases and spreadsheets to analyse and present complex information.
• Knowledge of relevant criminal law in respect of Cybercrime, criminal and financial investigations along with detailed knowledge of POCA legislation and associated civil and criminal legislation within the UK and overseas.
• Good knowledge of or the ability to develop and learn about internal financial management systems, budget preparation and control.
• Willingness & ability to obtain relevant Leadership qualifications.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At YHROCU we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. Diversity of thought, experience and perspective strengthens our ability to protect the public and tackle serious and organised crime.

Vetting and Additional Requirements

The successful applicant must:

• Be prepared to undergo and maintain Security Check (SC) Vetting.
• Be willing and able to travel as required across the region and nationally.
• Have access to a private motor vehicle and be prepared to use it for policing purposes.
• Be available to participate in the YHROCU Senior On-Call Cadre.
• Be willing to work flexibly in line with operational requirements.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on your own experience. Where plagiarism is identified—such as presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or AI-generated content, as your own—applications may be withdrawn.

Applications for this vacancy close on Monday 30th November 2026 at 23:55 hrs .

West Yorkshire Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Applicants should be aware that it is not always possible to carry out adequate vetting checks on persons who have not been resident within the UK for the last five years. Therefore, where this applies, applicants may be refused because it was not possible to vet them to the appropriate standard.