Director Legal

Location Bristol, London, Warrington This is a high-profile role at the heart of the NCA's Senior Leadership Team, operating at board level and actively contributing to wider policy developments across Whitehall. The Director Legal provides independent, accurate, timely and high-quality legal advice to the Director General NCA and the Board on the business of the Agency. The job holder is expected to be an active member of the Agency Command team, proactively spotting risks and leading cross Agency work on strategic issues. Key responsibilities:

• Advising the Director General and the Board on all legal matters relating to the Agency's business, including governance and exercise of its powers, litigation, contract and employment law, and the management of strategic legal risks relevant to the NCA's work;
• Leading and managing the NCA's internal team comprising circa 70 - 80 generalist and specialist lawyers, paralegals and a business support function and managing a budget of circa £11m
• Lead a multidisciplinary legal function, setting strategic direction and ensuring legal advice supports the NCA's operational priorities and corporate objectives.
• Lead the modernisation of legal services and drive digital transformation including the adoption of AI enabled tools.
• Working with operational colleagues, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and their specialist prosecutors to maximize the probability of successful prosecutions, or other legal interventions;
• Advising on relevant EU and international legal developments.
• Managing external legal contacts for specialist advice as required and maintaining excellent relations with the legal profession generally;
• Representing the Agency across Whitehall on all aspects of legal developments and proposals for legislative change affecting the Agency, and in respect of matters relevant to the wider law enforcement and intelligence communities.
• Build organisational capability by developing future legal leaders, strengthening succession planning and creating an inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Active member of the NCA's senior leadership team and, as such, takes on leadership activities beyond their specific role.
• As a lawyer in the NCA you will be a member of the Government Legal Profession.