Director of Legal Services

Job description

Director of Legal Services

Department

Legal

Location

Kidlington, Home Address (Hybrid)

Rank/Grade

TVP Legal

Salary

Band SMG, circa £143,051 per annum, plus benefits

Part/Full Time

Full Time - All roles are available for flexible working including job sharing and part-time unless there are legitimate operational / business reasons why this cannot be accommodated

Type of Contract

Permanent

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Job Advert

Director of Legal Services

Thames Valley Police Headquarters, Kidlington (Hybrid Working)

Help shape the decisions that protect our communities and maintain public confidence in policing.

At Thames Valley Police, the decisions we make impact the lives of more than 2.5 million people across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. As policing continues to evolve in response to increasing operational complexity, technological change and heightened public scrutiny, we are seeking an exceptional legal leader to join our senior leadership team as Director of Legal & Commercial Services.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief Constable and serving as a key member of the Chief Constable's Management Team, this is a rare opportunity to operate at the highest level of public service, influencing organisational strategy, governance, operational decision-making and risk management across one of the largest non-metropolitan police forces in the country.

The Opportunity

As the Force's principal legal adviser and General Counsel, you will provide trusted, independent and pragmatic legal advice to Chief Officers on some of the most complex, high-profile and sensitive issues facing modern policing. Your influence will extend beyond legal compliance, helping shape strategic decisions, organisational change and public confidence in policing.

You will lead a highly skilled legal function responsible for delivering legal support across operational policing, employment matters, civil litigation, claims management, governance, procurement and commercial activity. The role carries responsibility for significant organisational risk, substantial litigation portfolios and high-value commercial arrangements that directly support the Force's operational effectiveness.

You will also represent Thames Valley Police at regional and national forums, contributing to the development of legal policy and practice across UK policing. As the host force for several regional collaborations, including the Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) network, Thames Valley Police plays a significant role in supporting policing capabilities that extend well beyond the Force area. This provides a unique opportunity to contribute legal expertise and strategic advice on issues of regional and national importance.

About You

You will be an accomplished and credible legal professional with the ability to operate confidently in complex and politically sensitive environments.

You will be:

• A qualified solicitor or barrister with rights of audience and litigation experience.
• An experienced leader with a proven track record of developing high-performing legal teams.
• Comfortable advising senior executives on complex legal, governance and strategic issues.
• An influential relationship builder, capable of providing constructive challenge and independent legal judgement.
• Experienced in leading organisational change and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Committed to public service, integrity, equality, diversity and the highest professional standards.

Whilst experience within policing or the wider public sector would be advantageous, we are equally interested in hearing from exceptional candidates from private practice, regulatory, government or wider public service backgrounds who can bring strategic leadership and commercial expertise to this important role.

Why Join Thames Valley Police?

This is far more than a legal leadership role. It is an opportunity to influence decisions of significant public importance, help shape the future direction of one of the country's largest police forces and contribute directly to keeping our communities safe.

In return, we offer:

• A genuinely influential executive leadership role.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Discount schemes including Blue Light Card and Vivup.
• Vehicle Salary Sacrifice
• Cycle to work scheme
• Comprehensive wellbeing support and employee benefits.
• The opportunity to work on matters that have real impact on public confidence, operational policing and community safety.

Join Us

If you are a commercially astute and influential legal leader, motivated by public service and ready to operate at executive level, we would welcome your application.

Join us and help ensure that one of the UK's largest police forces continues to make confident, lawful and ethical decisions in the service of our communities.

Apply today and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of policing.

If you have any queries please contact the Recruitment Team at quoting reference 24024. We will endeavour to respond to your query as quickly as possible.

To apply for this post please submit a cover letter of no more than one page and a CV of no more than 2 pages. NOTE: CV's will not be accepted without a cover letter or if the CV is more than 2 pages long.

The closing date for enquiries and receipt of applications is Thursday 17 December 2026 at 12 noon.

Find out more about our roles .

#LI-Hybrid (for hybrid working)

At Thames Valley Police (TVP) we work together to protect our communities. Whether as an officer, staff member or volunteer, you will make a difference and play an important role in helping achieve our mission. As you take on a role with pride and confidence, you will be supported, developed and valued, ensuring you can be at your best in the service of our communities. Learn more .

Working Smart. You will be joining an organisation that strives to improve every day. In the post-pandemic era this means changing the way we work and deliver our services, which brings a number of benefits including a more flexible and capable workforce.

Supporting You. Your wellbeing and safety is at the heart of all we do. Whilst you are doing the work that matters, we'll be supporting you via a wide range of Wellbeing services, partnerships and initiatives. We have a number of active staff support networks and buddy schemes which you will have access to and can be involved with. We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and an inclusive culture that not only values, but finds strength in difference. We also offer a comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes, some provided directly by the organisation and others via partnerships including Blue Light card. Learn more about how we will be .

Developing You. We promote a culture where your continuous professional development and learning is actively encouraged and where people have the opportunity, and responsibility, to achieve their full potential.

Vetting. All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

As part of our ongoing commitment to fair and transparent recruitment, we provide guidance on how AI may be used during the application and interview processes. Please familiarise yourself with our