Head of Legal & Risk

Job purpose

The Head of Legal & Risk will lead, manage and develop a newly established Legal and Risk function for Crown Estate Scotland (CES). The role is pivotal in ensuring that CES adheres to its legal obligations and risk management frameworks plus other associated matters. The position will provide strategic leadership in all legal matters including the oversight of effective legal advice from external legal advisers and oversee the development and implementation of CES’s risk management policy, processes and procedures.

Main tasks

• Develop and implement a strategic framework and delivery plan for the Legal and Risk function.
• Lead and foster the development of delivering best practice approaches across CES when dealing with legal advice and compliance requirements and facilitating risk management.
• Coordinate the provision and procurement of expert legal advice in relation to the exercise of CES’s functions, including contributing to the overall strategic and policy direction of CES.
• Oversee the legal governance framework, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and standards of best practice.
• Oversee and contribute to the development and maintenance of the CES’s risk management framework, ensuring that risks are identified, assessed, and managed effectively.
• Lead the provision of legal advice, managing arrangements with external legal providers to ensure efficient and effective legal services.
• Promote a culture of good legal compliance and governance and risk management across CES.
• Provide legal challenge to legal advisers especially regarding the drafting of leases and agreements
• To support the teams to structure and develop legal agreements that deliver value and structure

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor with a current practising certificate and extensive experience working in a relevant area.
• Substantial experience in a senior legal role, ideally within a public sector and commercial environment.
• Demonstrable experience in governance and risk management at a strategic level.
• Proven track record of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Background in participating in risk management approaches.
• Demonstrable experience in providing legal advice on complex property, commercial and public legal issues.
• Experience in managing external legal providers and negotiating legal contracts.
• Able to work independently but able to collaborate and to provide support to colleagues.
• Policy writing experience
• Investigation and analytical experience – ability to review and analyse evidence and report on it.

Job type: Permanent

Pay: It is a Grade G starting salary £79,608 going up a pay point to £82,020 after 6 months successful probation.

Application: Cover letter and CV required for application

Application deadline: 22nd September 2025

Hybrid working 1-2 days per week in Edinburgh