Overview
The Bar Council is the voice of the barrister profession in England and Wales. We lead, represent and support the Bar in the public interest, championing the rule of law and access to justice. Our nearly 18,000 members – self-employed and employed barristers – make up a united Bar that aims to be strong, inclusive, independent and influential.
As the General Council of the Bar, we’re the approved regulator for all practising barristers in England and Wales. We delegate our statutory regulatory functions to the operationally independent Bar Standards Board, as required by the Legal Services Act 2007.
Role context
The present Chief Executive will be leaving this key role after eight highly successful years. We are seeking an excellent communicator who will provide leadership to the Bar Council’s staff and support the work of the Chair of the Bar Council and its Committees. The new strategic plan for 2024-2029, Standing for Justice, sets the direction for supporting and enhancing the Bar Council’s work.
Responsibilities
The role is complex and falls into five broad categories:
* Leadership, resources and governance
* Accounting officer
* Approved regulator
* Representation, Policy and Services
* External and ambassadorial
Candidate profile
The successful candidate will be politically astute, excellent at managing relationships, resilient, and intellectually curious. A pragmatic and creative approach to problem solving and a quiet confidence are essential. The post provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced and versatile senior leader to work in a high profile, complex, and multi-faceted organisation with a highly committed profession and staff.
Qualifications and experience
Applicants should have:
* a university degree and/or professional qualification
* consistent achievement at Chief Executive level, or substantial senior management experience in an organisation of comparable scope
* an ability to understand the work of the legal profession, the wider national and political context within which they operate, and the associated statutory and representative challenges and opportunities
* a track record of providing sound advice and guidance at senior management/director/elected member/ board member level and significant experience of operating at Board level
* a proven track record of successful corporate management, leading the formulation and delivery of corporate vision, strategies, policies and objectives
* acute financial and commercial awareness, together with strong analytical skills
* an ability to operate sensitively within an approved regulator environment and develop stakeholder relationships that command respect, trust and confidence
* a successful track record of building productive internal and external relationships and of collaborative working across the representative, statutory, government and private sectors
* excellent communication and networking skills and an ability to give articulate, comprehensive and persuasive presentations to a wide variety of audiences, on controversial and/or complex matters
* demonstrable evidence of linking diversity issues to policy and service development and delivery
How to apply
For further information, please visit www.thewlisgraham.com. For a confidential discussion, please email Sarah Thewlis at applications@thewlisgraham.com. Applications should be sent to applications@thewlisgraham.com quoting reference AC0601 and including a covering letter and a CV that also indicates your current remuneration and notice period. The closing date is 4.00pm on Thursday 25 September
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