Executive Director, General Counsel

Description

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is a cornerstone of public protection in the UK. We enable safer recruitment decisions through our criminal record checking and barring services, safeguarding vulnerable groups and underpinning trust across sectors such as health, education and social care. Our ambition is to be a modern, responsive and influential organisation, visible, trusted and delivering real impact. At DBS, we champion innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, ensuring our services meet the needs of citizens and stakeholders in a rapidly changing environment.

As General Counsel, you will lead the legal function and provide strategic advice at the highest level. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will ensure DBS meets all statutory and regulatory obligations, while enabling timely and informed decision-making across the organisation. This is a highly influential role, advising the Chief Executive, the Executive Team and the Board on complex legal matters, and working closely with the Board Secretary to support governance and compliance. You will also engage with the Home Office and other key stakeholders to deliver a high-performing legal function during a period of organisational change.

We are seeking a qualified Solicitor or Barrister eligible to practise in England and Wales, with extensive experience of managing in-house legal teams and advising at senior levels in government or complex organisations. You will bring comprehensive legal expertise, including commercial arrangements in government, data protection, freedom of information, legislative interpretation and regulatory regimes. Your ability to present complex information clearly to boards and governance forums will be essential, as will your skill in building collaborative relationships with internal teams and external counsel. We are looking for someone who combines technical excellence with strategic insight and who can drive innovation in legal support to help achieve DBS’s objectives.

If you have the credibility, leadership and vision to shape the legal foundation of an organisation that protects millions, this is an opportunity to make a profound impact.

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