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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Contract type
Type of role
Senior leadership
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Number of jobs available
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About the job
Job summary
As the CMA nears our 10 year anniversary, and we take on important new and expanded powers, we have a number of senior leadership vacancies creating an exciting opportunity to refresh and expand the leadership of our growing organisation at a pivotal moment.
About the CMA
We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work is wide ranging, ambitious and often new and challenging.
As the CMA takes on ever-more complex work, the legal and policy questions we address sit at the heart of all that we do.
The role
You will work in partnership with the newly appointed General Counsel, deputising where appropriate, and sharing responsibility for providing first class legal and policy advice across the CMAs casework, including mergers, markets, competition and consumer protection enforcement, subsidy advice and our new digital markets regulation function..
You will also work with the General Counsel to set the strategic direction for the work undertaken by the CMAs Legal Service, as well as lead the legal service teams and support staff development within the team.
Watch the video as our CEO, Sarah Cardell, talks about our opportunities in more detail: Senior Leadership Roles
Please note that we are also looking to appoint a General Counsel. Collectively, these roles will shape our legal profession, taking responsibility for the provision of first class legal and policy advice across all CMA cases and litigation decisions. Whilst the level of accountability and responsibility will vary, the essential criteria for both roles remains similar and candidates applying for these positions will be considered for both roles. Candidates will be informed through the process for which role they are to be considered. If candidates only wish to be considered for one of the two roles, they should make it clear in their personal statement.
About you
Senior level experience of working as a lawyer at partner level across competition, consumer, public and relevant sectoral legal frameworks is essential. You will also need a track record of strategic decision making, providing strategic legal advice, proactively managing risks and operating collegiately within complex governance arrangements.
As an experienced communicator and influencer, you will have the ability to work effectively with businesses, consumers, government, UK stakeholders and international counterparts.
Strong leadership skills with the gravitas to lead an intellectually strong management team is equally important.
We are currently recruiting to a number of senior roles and candidates are advised to review the candidate packs and make it clear in their personal statement and application to which positions they are applying. Candidates may apply for more than one role.
The post holder can be located in any of our locations, but a substantial amount of time will need to be spent in London.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
Deputise for the General Counsel as appropriate, including at the Board and Executive Committee, with the expectation of direct leadership and accountability for key areas of legal and policy advice to be agreed with the CEO and General Counsel.
Be an active adviser to senior decision makers, working in partnership with the General Counsel, to ensure that the Legal Service provides an exceptional
level of legal advice that the CMA fulfills its statutory duties and functions and that the principles of compliance and corporate governance are observed.
Be a collaborative and engaged member of the CMA and Legal Service Senior Management teams and relevant Committees and decision-making fora as appropriate, ensuring the provision of legal support to cases which aligns with the strategic priorities and decisions of the CMA.
Ensure that legal risks are appropriately identified, managed and reported, and that organisational development continues to deliver a positive, respectful and inclusive culture in line with the CMAs Values.
Work with the General Counsel to set the strategic direction for the work undertaken by the CMAs Legal Service and be accountable to the General Counsel and
Executive Committee for the delivery of that work including by reference to relevant statutory requirements.
Lead the CMAs Legal Service teams ensuring effective resourcing of ongoing and prospective projects including in light of resourcing demands across the CMA.
Together with the General Counsel build the required skills, expertise and diversity within the CMAs Legal Service, supporting staff development, developing the Legal Service senior leadership and management teams, and acting as a role model.
Lead and ensure the provision of first-class legal advice across all the CMAs work and including the provision of risk-based and strategic legal advice to the
General Counsel and senior decision-makers across the CMA including provision of legal advice on the development and implementation of the DMU regulatory model.
Liaise effectively with counterparts in relevant government departments, sector regulators, and where appropriate in the devolved administrations.
Be a strong external advocate for the CMA in the UK. Build strong relationships with counterparts, including competition and regulatory authorities, consumer
bodies, academics, and consultants in the legal, economic and business community.
Person specification
It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the selection criteria detailed.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate evidence against the following essential criteria:
Exceptional legal experience operating at the most senior levels (partner equivalent) practicing across competition, consumer, public and relevant sectoral legal frameworks.
Extensive leadership experience operating at the most senior levels, with a measurable track record of taking strategic decisions, providing strategic legal advice, proactively managing risks and operating collegiately within complex governance arrangements.
The presence and impact to operate effectively with businesses, consumers, government, UK stakeholders and international counterparts, many of whom are extremely well qualified and have strength and expertise in the technical detail of consumer, competition and markets regimes.
An experienced communicator and influencer, with significant experience of leading and proactively managing complex high-level stakeholder relationships.
Senior experience of operating effectively, both strategically and tactically, within strict resource constraints.
Strong leadership skills with the gravitas to lead an intellectually strong management team to achieve robust and impactful outcomes and to garner their respect and support.
Demonstrate strong leadership to the CMA, ensuring that there is a clear integrated vision and promoting a strong culture of openness to challenge, collaboration and delivery. Work with the CEO to foster an inclusive environment where teams are empowered, and the team capability is improved.
High intellectual capability and a capacity to move between strategic thinking and technical detail.
A high level of personal credibility based on first class judgement and integrity.
Benefits
£34,102 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As well as the interesting and varied work youll do to contribute to effective competition in the UK, and to ensure consumers get a good deal when buying goods and services, youll also benefit from:
- An exceptionally generous pension scheme with a significant employer contribution and range of options, including a tax-free lump sum at the point of retirement and injury, ill-health and life assurance benefits
- 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the Kings birthday. In addition, youll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
- Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
- Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
- A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work
Any move to the CMA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Like many other organisations, we operate a hybrid working model with a mix of office and home working. We believe this supports us to deliver our best work while allowing the flexibility to maintain balanced and healthy lives. For this role, we would expect a minimum of 60% attendance at a CMA office location.
We follow the Senior Civil Service pay rules for civil servants who secure a SCS role at the CMA, including existing CMA staff.
Circa £160k for successful candidates currently external to the Civil Service.
If promoted to a new SCS role an internal applicant will receive 10% pay on promotion or the minimum of the PB2 CMA Competition Specialist pay range, which starts at £126,307 (pay award pending).
Existing Senior Civil Servants colleagues applying on lateral transfer at PB2 will remain on their current salaries if successfully appointed (pay award pending).
We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We want a diverse workforce that reflects the consumers we serve. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, including ethnically diverse people, people with a disability, and people with diverse gender identities.
We are an accredited Disability Confident Employer and disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
Our Values
The CMA delivers impactful outcomes for people, business and the UK economy. We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect, and are Collaborative and Inclusive.
Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
The CMA has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. The closing date for applications is 23:55 on 24 September 2023. For further information about the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, terms and conditions of service and how to apply, please visit: www.rraresponses.com.
For full details about the role an the recruitment timeline, please visit the attached candidate pack.
To apply for this post you will need to complete the online application process accessed via the advertisement listed for this role. This should be completed no later than the Advert Closing Date, which is 23:55 on 24 September 2023, and will involve uploading the documents outlined below:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
- A Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages), giving examples of how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
- A completed Diversity Questionnaire. Were committed to implementing and monitoring our equality and diversity policies with the aim of recruiting, retaining and promoting staff regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.
Please submit your full application by email to responses@russellreynolds.com. Please quote the role title and assignment code P2307-028L in the subject heading of the email. All applications will be acknowledged.
Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel have only limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. Please ensure that both documents contain your full name.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with responses@russellreynolds.com
You will receive email acknowledgment of your application through the online process.
The panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the Person Specification section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
At the longlist meeting, applications will be sifted to select those candidates demonstrating the best fit with the posts. Longlisted candidates will be invited to a preliminary interview with Russell Reynolds to discuss the role and their suitability in more detail. Following the preliminary interview, a panel shortlist meeting will take place where the results of the preliminary interviews will be discussed. Those candidates who demonstrate strongest suitability will be invited to final interview.
The timeline later in the attached pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all longlisted and shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a series of assessments which could include psychometric tests. These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panels decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.
You will also have the opportunity to speak to Sarah Cardell prior to the final interview to learn more about the role and the organisation. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process. We may take up references for shortlisted candidates prior to interview.
You will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Interviews will consist of questions where candidates will be expected to build on the information provided in their personal statement and CV. Candidates may be asked to prepare a short presentation on a topic to be advised if/when invited to the interview stage. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.
If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to SC level and possibly DV level.
Reasonable adjustments
We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process.
For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : responses@russellreynolds.com
- Email : responses@russellreynolds.com
- Telephone : 020 37386580
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk
Further information
Follow link to apply
