Head of Individual Based Authorisation
The Head of Individual Based Authorisation leads the team who assess people’s suitability to be a solicitor and, manage an annual corporate exercise to renew solicitors practising certificates.
A key part of the management team, the post holder will play a full part in the leadership of the directorate and work collaboratively with colleagues, particularly the Head of Firm Based Authorisation (FBA) and the Head of Contact Centre.
The department
Authorisation is the key point at which we make sure individuals and businesses meet the high professional standards we and the public expect when they enter the profession.
Our Authorisation team does this by carrying out background checks, character and suitability checks, and by making sure applicants have the right skills and qualifications.
Our priority is protecting the public by making sure that individuals or firms entering the profession are safe and competent to do so. We want to make sure this process works as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
Outcomes
- Accountable for the delivery of individual-based authorisation, ensuring accuracy and quality of risk-based approach to decision making and driving positive outcomes.
- Overall responsibility for the handling circa 150,000 applications per annum and collecting associated income.
- Delivery of individual-based authorisation activity (IBA) which meets organisational KPIs and fulfils expectations of internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversight of the IBA teams ensuring clearly defined roles and responsibilities, strong performance management and a commitment to improving capability and skills.
- Leading by example, a culture within the IBA teams which demonstrates a positive, customer focused and risk-based approach to taking decisions; and ensure all processes and systems support this culture.
- Delivery of an interface with applicants which meets expectations of quality of service, timeliness and ease of doing business with.
- Identify and pursue opportunities for internal and external engagement, representing Authorisation on a range of forums.
- Working closely with the Director of Authorisation and the Individual-based Authorisation Manager, play a full part in the leadership of the directorate.
Dimensions
- Responsible for a team of approximately 50 staff.
- Reporting into the Director of Authorisation, Contact Centre and Business Support.