Principal Lawyer (Operational) - West Midlands & Staffordshire Police
£78,417 - £85,353 | Birmingham | Hybrid
Lead operational legal services across two of England's largest police forces.
As Principal Lawyer, you will advise Chief Constables and senior officers and staff on the issues that define modern policing: operational powers, major incidents, public order, and high-profile matters that carry significant legal and reputational risk.
The role:
Lead a team of operational lawyers delivering strategic advice across West Midlands Police and Staffordshire Police. You will sit on the Senior Leadership Team, attend high level meetings where critical decisions are made, and provide clear, authoritative counsel in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.
This is a newly created role following a strategic restructure, giving you genuine scope to strengthen leadership, shape service delivery, and influence how legal support operates across an in-house team of 50+ professionals.
From advising the Force Executive team during significant incidents to providing real-time counsel on civil orders, your advice enables effective policing when the stakes are highest.
What is in it for you:
Work that directly impacts public safety and builds confidence in policing
Genuine senior leadership influence, not just advisory support
Competitive public sector pension and generous annual leave
Agile working with regular office presence (Birmingham & Staffordshire)
The opportunity to operate at the intersection of law and operational reality
Professional development within one of the UK's largest joint legal services
You will bring:
6+ years PQE as a solicitor or barrister
Operational policing, relevant local government, or criminal justice advisory experience
Proven ability to lead teams through complex, time-sensitive work
The credibility and judgment to challenge and support at Chief Officer level
This is senior legal leadership where your judgment shapes outcomes that matter. If you have the experience, resilience, and operational credibility to excel in this environment, we would love to talk.