Job grade: SCS Pay Band 2
Contract type: Permanent
Type of role: Senior leadership
Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the UK Government’s Scottish legal team, operating at the heart of some of the most significant legal and constitutional issues facing the United Kingdom. As the most senior official in the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the devolution settlement, supporting government decision-making and providing authoritative legal leadership on matters of national importance.
Working directly with the Advocate General for Scotland, one of the UK Government’s Law Officers, you will lead a highly specialised department of around 50 lawyers and support staff across London and Edinburgh. You will set the strategic direction of the Office, oversee its legal and operational performance, and ensure it provides the highest quality advice, legislative support and litigation services to Ministers and government departments.
This is fundamentally a senior leadership role. You will bring the judgement, credibility and strategic perspective needed to lead an expert legal organisation, maintain a high-performing and inclusive culture while embedding the Future Civil Service reform programme in the context of this organisation. You will be a trusted adviser to senior decision-makers, able to offer constructive challenge, navigate sensitive issues with political dimensions and influence effectively across government and wider stakeholders.
We are seeking an accomplished legal leader with significant experience of leading specialist teams, managing complex legal and reputational risks, and delivering through change. You will bring a strong understanding of, or interest in, Scotland’s legal, political and constitutional landscape, alongside the ability to operate confidently at the intersection of law, policy and government.
We welcome applications from outstanding legal leaders both within and beyond the Civil Service, including those from private practice and other legal environments. Candidates do not need to be qualified in Scots law at the point of application, although the successful candidate will be required to obtain the relevant qualification following appointment, with training costs covered.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society we serve. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and has a sense of belonging. To find out more, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency adviser to the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference GCBUA. Alternatively, email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by 23:55 on 26 November 2026.
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