Chief Executive at the Scottish Law Commission

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.