SCS2 – Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Ref: GSe87510

About the Serious Fraud Office (SFO)

The SFO’s mission is to fight complex financial crime; to deliver justice to victims; and to protect the UK’s reputation as a safe place to do business. We do that by investigating and prosecuting some of the most serious fraud, bribery & corruption cases in the UK and, working with international partners, across the world and recovering the proceeds of crimes for victims and the UK taxpayer. Recent examples of our successes include the Airbus global settlement of c£1bn, convictions in cases against GPT and Petrofac, and recovery of £45m of proceeds of crime in 2022/23.

This is a pivotal role in the SCS leadership team with key accountability and responsibility for ensuring the delivery of the SFO’s mission. This mission has never been more critical with fraud now representing 40% of all reported crime and the increased public expectation that bribery and corruption will be tackled wherever it occurs across the globe.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced, energetic and problem-solving leader with experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex and high-profile results on our cases. We encourage applications from candidates with experience of leading successful teams across organisations and with a track record of challenging and changing the status quo.

We are on a journey to re-shape the Serious Fraud Office for the 21st century, making us digitally enabled in all we do, embracing new and emerging technologies to deliver our cases. You will use your excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills to build and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders and teams across the Serious Fraud Office.

You will be one of four members of our internal Executive committee making cross-cutting organisational decisions on a daily basis. You will shape the strategic direction of the organisation as an executive member of the SFO Board, will have regular engagement and influence with our domestic and international law enforcement and prosecution partners, and the opportunity to work with officials and Ministers in our supervising department of the Attorney General’s Office. 

In return, we offer the privilege of working on some of the most challenging and interesting criminal cases in the UK and international criminal justice systems and the satisfaction of delivering justice for victims of fraud, bribery and corruption in the UK and across the globe. If you have the drive and vision to deliver on this challenge, we look forward to hearing from you. 

Further Information

For more information or for an informal discussion about these roles please contact our advising consultants at GatenbySanderson:

Olivia Robinson, Principal Researcher

olivia.robinson@gatenbysanderson.com or

James Payne, Principal Consultant

james.payne@gatenbysanderson.com

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
23.55 on 25th July

Interviews with GatenbySanderson
w/c 8th and 15th August

Short listing
w/c 22nd August

Staff Engagement Exercise
w/c 29th August and 5th September

Final panel
w/c 12th September

How to apply

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process outlined below:

Applications must be received by 23:55 on 25th July 2022

1. 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.
2. A Statement of Suitability (up to 1000 words) explaining how you consider your skills and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria.

• Failure to submit both a CV and Supporting Statement will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
• As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'.
• If you are unfamiliar with civil service recruitment and would like a discussion on how best to navigate the process, please contact Olivia Robinson or James Payne who will be happy to advise you and help you with your application.

Documents

1. Conflicts of Interest and previous conduct.docx