Director of Client Legal Services

Director of Client Legal Services

Edinburgh

£99,730 - £112,060

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) was set up in 1987 to manage legal aid in Scotland. We are a non-departmental public body responsible to the Scottish Government. Our main purpose is to fund, provide and advise on services that secure access to justice.

We are seeking to appoint a Director of Client Legal Services to provide strategic leadership of three in-house services through which solicitors advise, assist and represent legal aid clients: the Public Defence Solicitors Office (PDSO), Solicitor Contact Line (SCL), and Civil Legal Assistance Office (CLAO).

As a member of SLAB’s Executive Team, the Director has a vital role in driving SLAB forward to meet its corporate objectives, through the leadership of three committed teams of solicitors and associated business support staff, ensuring that our client services are high quality, responsive and designed around client needs.

The role has a significant strategic focus, and the Director’s effective leadership will ensure that business plans and operations are fully aligned with SLAB’s mission, strategic objectives and corporate values.

There is great opportunity to share learning and best practice across the three services and with other functions within SLAB, pursuing common approaches to meeting corporate requirements, where appropriate, and ensuring effective use of resources, all while recognising the different roles and unique features of each of our three client-facing services.

A collaborative approach will be key to success in the role, working with your teams, senior staff across SLAB and colleagues in other justice organisations to develop advice for the Scottish Government on the strategic development of our client legal services and how to maximise their contribution to the delivery of the outcomes set out in the Scottish Government’s reform programme for legal aid, its Vision for Justice in Scotland and the wider National Performance Framework.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board is a high-impact organisation, committed to making a real difference to the lives of individuals across Scotland. If you are an experienced leader with a passion for public service, organisational excellence and improving access to justice, we would like to hear from you.

Applications in the form of a tailored CV and a covering letter (no longer than two pages), highlighting your skills and experience pertinent to the role, should arrive no later than Sunday 02 August, 2026. For a confidential, informal discussion about the role, or to request a Candidate Information Pack, please contact LHH directly