Authorisation Officer (Level 3)

Fixed Term Contract / Secondment
9 months
Full time - flexible working may be considered
35 hours per week
£27,060 per annum
Birmingham
The Authorisation function of the SRA is one of the largest operational delivery directorates within the SRA. Authorisation mitigates risks to the regulatory objectives by:
• minimising the extent to which unsuitable firms or individuals are able to enter the regulated community, protecting consumers and promoting confidence in the legal services market;
• collecting information and intelligence about the regulated community, which is the starting point for effective regulation; and
• encouraging those firms applying to enter the legal services market, to manage their own risk.

It also provides a vehicle for the collection of the fees which fund regulatory activity.

The purpose of the Level 3 Authorisation Officer is to assist Authorisation in the delivery of our regulatory objectives. The role holder will be responsible for making timely decisions on a full range of applications, including those that are deemed to be high risk and complex to reflect the SRA's risk-based, outcomes-focused approach to regulation. The role holder will also be expected to support and coach colleagues by taking responsibility for the sharing of experience, knowledge and expertise. This will contribute to/enable the delivery of Key Performance Indicators and service levels to include quality standards.

Essential

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and experience:

Experience of influencing and constructively challenging internal and external stakeholders

Experience of coaching/mentoring colleagues, at all levels, using a variety of techniques

Experience to review/analyse/present complex information to a variety of audiences using appropriate methods of communication

Takes ownership and makes technical decisions on applications , ensuring active use and referral to regulations, guidance and other regulatory materials (eg Risk Framework) as appropriate

Experience of working in an environment where priorities may change, championing a positive attitude and taking responsibility for implementation and continuous improvement

Willingness to learn and develop, taking on new responsibilities and adopting a flexible, pragmatic approach to work

Experience of working autonomously and under direction, collaborating as part of a functional and/or cross functional team

IT literate – comfortable using/interrogating on line systems to input, extract and analyse data

Experience/understanding of delivering operational results which support strategic and operational objectives of the organisation

Track record of delivering results by owning work and projects, ensuring successful/measurable outcomes

Desirable

Experience of designing learning solutions which incorporate the latest industry standards

Experience of working in a regulatory environment

Experience of managing a small to medium sized team

The SRA is the independent regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, protecting consumers and supporting the rule of law and the administration of justice. We do this by overseeing all education and training requirements necessary to practise as a solicitor, licensing individuals and firms to practise, setting the standards of the profession and regulating and enforcing compliance against these standards.
We offer an inclusive, supportive and friendly working environment and the chance to develop your career within a professional organisation. We are committed to the health and wellbeing of staff, helping everyone to strike a good balance between personal and professional life.

Additionally, we provide a generous flexible benefits package, including gym membership with a tax only cost, an excellent defined contribution pension scheme and an additional 3% of annual basic salary upon successful completion of probation.
Vacancy closing date: 21/12/2014, 23:55

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do. We are actively committed to promoting and participating in good practice in the way that we attract, recruit and retain staff.

Everyone is encouraged to bring their whole self to work because we appreciate the value that a truly diverse workforce brings to an organisation. We celebrate difference, recognising the benefits this brings to our inclusive culture, including age, disability, gender identity and expression, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation and socio economic background.

 We are a Stonewall Top 100 Employer, a member of ENEI, a disability confident employer and we are happy to talk flexible working.

This opportunity is closed to applicants.