Head of Investigations

The Head of Investigations is a member of the Regulatory Operations leadership team and will be jointly responsible with the Head of Case Progression and Head of Fitness to Practise (FtP) Legal for the high quality and timely progression of investigations into concerns about fitness to practise, in accordance with legislation and fitness to practise rules. Key elements of the role include:

• Strategic and operational responsibility for the delivery of a high quality and effective casework management process - embedding a customer-focused service which maximises use of available resources to enable improvements in the end-to-end age profile of our open casework
• Overall budgetary and financial accounting responsibility for the investigation function ensuring value for money and a continuous focus on efficient financial and operational management
• Responsible for the management, oversight and performance of panel firms providing legal services, ensuring cases are proactively progressed in the most efficient, timely and cost-effective way possible
• Oversight and review of the resource structure and casework processes to ensure high quality and effective casework management and support
• Maintaining a high level of knowledge on the broader regulatory framework and providing up-to-date expertise and advice to the Senior Management Team and Council on issues relating to fitness to practise

Your work and behaviours will demonstrate our key values

• We act with integrity
• We pursue excellence
• We respect other people and ideas
• We show empathy
• We behave fairly
• We are agile and responsive to change

As a member of the GOC Leadership team, the postholder will support the Director by co-leading service improvement projects across the directorate and wider GOC and engage colleagues to deliver process and behavioural change to support our strategic plans. The postholder will on occasion be asked to deputise for the Director of Regulatory Operations.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the performance of the investigations team, allocating work and setting targeted key performance indicators in line with the organisation’s strategic aims
• Review and oversee effective progress of all investigation cases and consistent application of FtP policy pre-hearing, including regular progress review meetings with teams
• Identify and implement improvements to performance and risk management, effective case management and support, and proactive performance reporting
• Oversee the management and performance of panel firms to ensure the GOC receives high quality, efficient and cost-effective legal advice and collaborate with the Head of FtP Legal to embed a cost-effective model of legal support across the directorate
• Ensure high quality customer service is provided to all stakeholders, both internal and external
• Ensure the timely production of high quality and accurate financial and management information to inform SMT, Council and the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) of progress against the business plan and other key performance indicators and present this information to senior stakeholders as required
• Manage, coach and develop operations managers (investigations) within a dynamic, supportive and positive team working environment
• Contribute to the development of FtP policy, guidance and strategy
• Support the development of strategies and initiatives that deliver the Council’s vision and corporate objectives
• Contribute to working groups of the PSA and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to progress our commitment to meeting all relevant standards and to progress our legislative reform agenda
• Deliver programme or project management responsibilities as required

Essential Skills/Experience/Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of the legal framework governing professionals healthcare regulation
• Significant experience of overseeing efficient casework management or other similar function
• Experience of leading performance change
• Comprehensive knowledge and significant experience of using data in driving performance improvement
• Understanding of the role of fitness to practise and similar legal issues, or a demonstrable ability to acquire such an understanding
• Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels

Closing date for this role is 24 April 2026 11:59pm, please note we reserve the right to close this role early dependent on number of applications. Please note that your application will only be considered if it includes both CV and a cover letter. The cover letter should be no longer than 2 A4 pages and must demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria of this role. REF-227 868