Head of Forensic Investigations

We are looking to appoint a Head of Forensic Investigations to lead our Forensic Investigations teams.

Reporting to the Director - Specialist and Proactive Investigations, you will lead a team of Forensic Investigation Managers and Forensic Investigation Officers, with a primary focus on on-site forensic investigations of complex and high-risk regulatory matters following reports of serious professional misconduct. You will deliver the highest standards of quality and timelines of investigations with outcomes that protect the public and uphold high professional standards, providing a credible deterrence for the regulated community. This role also requires an imaginative and creative thinker with the ability to work to tight deadlines, often balancing a significant and varied caseload. You will be managing a range of complex forensic assignments over their entire life cycle. This will include managing risk during engagement take-on, working with senior members of the team to define scope and develop investigative strategies.

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're we are looking for

• Ideally, a qualified accountant with experience and knowledge in forensic accounting or forensic investigation.
• Embedded knowledge and application of the SRA Accounts Rules
• Thorough understanding of related legislation including Solicitors Act & Legal Services Act, relevant case law.
• Must be able to demonstrate a good awareness of the legal profession and our role as a regulator, with up to date and significant understanding of the external legal, political and economic influencing factors
• Able to make decisions at operational and strategic level
• 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
• Proven ability to deliver clear messages to senior and external stakeholders on very complex and technical issues
• Proven experience of developing and maintaining relationships at a senior level with people of influence within a wide variety of government bodies such as a National Police Forces, SFO, NCA and also with banks, insurance, accountancy firms and other regulators
• Experience of delivering high-quality forensic accounting and investigative work.
• Significant experience of effectively monitoring and driving high standards and continuous improvement in quality and performance across specialist operational teams.

Useful and additional information

There is a Role Profile attached at the bottom of the advert on our website.

We are recruiting for this role in our Birmingham, Cardiff, and London offices. You will be based in the office nearest to your location, with the expectation of working 2 days a week in the office and the remainder 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 from £70,000 to £75,000, depending on knowledge, skills and experience. 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 .

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.

To find out more about the recruitment and selection process and how to make the most of your application, please visit our jobs pages.

Closing date for applications is 22 September 2025 at 9 am. Assessment and Interviews are anticipated to take place in early October.