Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Legal)

Pensions Ombudsman

Canary Wharf, with some home working

  • Location Canary Wharf, with some home working
  • Sector Regulation & Professional Standards
  • Client Pensions Ombudsman
  • Job Type Permanent
  • Salary/Remuneration up to £92,916 plus benefits
  • Reference GSe130994
  • Closing Date 5pm on Friday 24 April 2026

The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) plays a unique and vital role in the UK’s pensions landscape. As an independent body, TPO investigates and determines complaints about how pensions are administered and managed. Each year we handle around 9,000 enquiries and 11,000 complaints, delivering fair outcomes, influencing industry standards, and ensuring confidence in the pensions system. With a dedicated team of nearly 190 employees and approximately 150 volunteers, we are an organisation that is growing, modernising, and committed to continuous improvement. Our work can be challenging and high-profile, delivering a fair outcome for the individual and highlighting where the pensions industry can improve.

We are now seeking to appoint a Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Legal) to lead the operational delivery of our Legal function and act as a senior leader within the Executive Team. This newly restructured role is central to our transformation journey, strengthening our legal operations and ensuring we can meet rising demand for our services. You will oversee all aspects of legal service delivery, including casework support, litigation and judicial review management, and legal input on policy and legislative matters. Working closely with the Deputy COO (Casework) and senior leaders across TPO, you will ensure high‑quality, consistent legal advice that supports efficient case resolution and reinforces our commitment to fairness, accuracy, and integrity.

Reporting to, and working closely with our Chief Operating Officer, We’re looking for a highly skilled and collaborative legal leader with:

  • A professional legal qualification (solicitor or barrister) and substantial post‑qualification experience.
  • Expertise in pensions law, litigation, or legal service delivery in an Ombuds, regulatory, complaint‑handling or investigative environment.
  • A track record of leading high‑performing teams and delivering measurable operational improvements.
  • Strong analytical, communication and drafting skills, paired with excellent judgement and the ability to influence at senior levels.
  • Experience converting organisational priorities into effective delivery plans.
  • A commitment to public service, learning, development, and continuous improvement.

This role offers a chance to support the delivery of critical services to consumers in their time of need. With generous flexible and home working policies, and an engaged and motivated team, we can provide the platform you need to deliver exceptional results. 

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and has a sense of belonging.            

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