Chief Executive - Scottish Law Commission

Description

Expressions of interest are invited from internal candidates for the role of Chief Executive at the Scottish Law Commission.  Applications are open to staff at Senior Civil Service Deputy Director level (SCS1) on level transfer and all suitably qualified staff for temporary promotion to Deputy Director.     

Are you an exceptional leader with the vision, judgement and drive to help make recommendations to Government to simplify, modernise and improve Scots law?

The Scottish Law Commission is an independent advisory body, established by statute. The Commission undertakes reviews of particular areas of the law, working under approved programmes of law reform.  The Commission submits reports to Ministers, with recommendations for improving and updating the law. 

We are seeking an outstanding Chief Executive to work in partnership with the Chair, a Court of Session judge, and four Ministerial-appointed Commissioners, for the strategic direction of the Commission; and for the delivery of the programme of work agreed with Ministers.  

As Chief Executive, you will also lead the management and operation of the commission, with accountability for its people, resources and budget.  This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting contribution to Scotland’s legal landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and horizon scanning relating to legal services required by Ministers and policy colleagues, managing demand and prioritisation by aligning resource and activity with SG strategic aims and plans, including delivery of the legislative programme. 
• Act as the most senior legal adviser to relevant Ministers by taking a personal lead on issues that are particularly high profile, sensitive or of strategic significance. 
• Ensure a divisional culture that is committed, flexible and constructive. Ensure members of the Commission understand how their work contributes to the broader aims of the GLSS and the Scottish Government. Ensure staff have and acquire the skills, experience, and support to deliver the tasks expected of them and to progress in their careers. 
• Maintain an overview of the Commission’s work, monitoring performance and ensuring that in terms of policy, process and quality, work meets the requirements of Ministers and the wider organisation. 
• Ensure that the Commission’s teams work effectively and efficiently with each other and with other policy teams. 
• Represent the Commission, and where appropriate the GLSS and the Scottish Government, in discussions and events with Ministers and senior managers across the organisation and with senior external stakeholders. 
• In general, ensuring the effective and timely delivery of high quality and cost-effective law reform recommendations to Scottish Ministers and, where appropriate, UK Ministers; in particular with a view to assisting the Scottish Government to develop policies and legislative proposals for law reform to meet their strategic objectives.
• Leading and managing the team of lawyers and administrative staff at the Commission.
• Maintaining good relations with the Chair of the Commission and Commissioners.
• With the Chair, representing the Commission and promoting Commission law reform work both in general and on specific projects; engaging with Government, Parliament, a wide range of stakeholders and other law reform bodies in particular the Law Commission of England and Wales. 
• Ensuring that the legal and administrative staff of the Commission have the skills and support necessary to enable them to assist the Commission to deliver the planned law reform projects; focusing on the training and development needs of Commission staff as regards law reform methodology, including engagement with stakeholders and the public by the use of the Commission website and social media and video channels.
• Providing the Chair and Commissioners with clear guidance and views on strategic direction to ensure that projects under the law reform Programme of the Commission are delivered, and a new Programme prepared.
• Keeping the Commission’s work plan structures, and resources under review to ensure a business model for the Commission that is efficient and uses public resources effectively.
• Ensuring access to Parliamentary drafting resources for proposed Commission Bills. 

Success Profiles

Qualifications

You must be a solicitor or advocate entitled to practise in Scotland 

Technical

Setting clear strategic direction and making high quality decisions which balance risk and stakeholder interests to deliver outcomes;

Ability to develop and support a team of legal professionals to make good legal judgements under pressure;

Experience

A proven track record of providing high quality legal advice, including to Ministers and senior officials, which takes account of political and strategic choices.

Commitment and ability to embed an inclusive, learning culture in teams, trusting and empowering others, actively managing wellbeing and enabling high performance and innovation.

Behaviours

Making Effective Decisions – level 5

Working Together – level 5

Leadership – level 5 

Communicating and Influencing – level 5

Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

Further Information

For further information about the role, or if you would like to discuss any matters before applying, please contact Ruaraidh Macniven [email protected] via email or individually via Microsoft Teams.

How to apply  

Your expression of interest should be sent to [email protected] by 08 October at 11:55 pm latest. The expression of interest, which should be no longer than 1,500 words, should explain why this would be a great opportunity for you at this stage in your career and what you would bring to the role. The note should confirm that you have discussed the opportunity with your line manager and that they would be content to release you if the application is successful. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.   

Please see our candidate guidance  for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. 

Selection Process 

The selection process will be short and light touch. Candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to an informal discussion with the recruiting manager and another Director week beginning W/C 19 October . Shortlisted candidates will also be invited to a fireside chat with the Chair of the Scottish Law Commission.