Head of Operations - Forensics

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic senior leader to direct the strategic development and delivery of the National Crime Agency’s Forensic Services. In this pivotal role, you will lead a national capability delivering high‑quality traditional and digital forensic services, supporting some of the UK’s most complex and high‑profile investigations.

You will provide strategic leadership to over 100 specialist officers, drive compliance with national forensic standards, and oversee major commercial contracts and a £12m budget. Representing the Agency at national and international level, you will shape the wider forensic landscape, build strong partnerships, and provide authoritative advice to senior leaders and ministers.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a proven forensic leader to influence national capability, drive organisational change, and play a key role in protecting the public from serious and organised crime.

Job description

To lead and direct the strategic management, development and delivery of Forensic Services in the Agency and in the wider forensic landscape, delivering operational capability and oversee multi-functional teams responsible for providing traditional and digital forensic services.

To lead and direct the strategic management and development of Forensic Services in the Agency ensuring the delivery of an appropriate and efficient capability able to meet emerging threats and priorities.

To deliver operational capability and oversee 100 officers in multi-functional teams responsible for providing traditional and digital forensic services nationally.

To lead the national Forensic Compliance Strategy under Director Investigations to move the Agency towards Forensic Science regulatory compliance.

To oversee the Cabinet Tender Process to achieve new and maintain existing commercial contracts for the Agency, and manage current commercial contracts and budgetary funding streams (circa £12 million).

As part of the National Crime Agency (NCA) Senior Management Team lead on strategic areas of work as directed by the Deputy Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and direct multi-functional teams to quality assure, develop and deliver strategic and tactical Forensic Services to Agency operations, investigations and prevention initiatives.

Oversee and direct operations and projects and ensure that all operational activity is prioritised and aligned with relevant legislation, codes of practice, strategic objectives and complies with statutory provisions and relevant control strategies.

Oversee the deployment of all operational forensic resources in support of major crime and critical incidents in the UK and overseas (as appropriate).

Represent the Agency at National and International level, including supporting the development of a strategic level relationship with the Forensic Science Regulator.

Management of Command and Corporate level risks created in the delivery of forensics.

Oversee and direct publication of both departmental and Agency reports/assessments.

Provide advice to NCA Senior Civil Service (SCS) colleagues to ensure a timely response to all ministerial questions, whilst ensuring ministers are adequately briefed.

Lead, direct and manage organisational change and effectively plan and communicate changes to staff, partner agencies and stakeholders.

Lead and manage resources effectively with financial control of departmental budgets.

Support and deputise for the Deputy Director as required.

Please Note - Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance and then achieve DV Enhanced clearance within the first 12 months in post.

Person specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Experience of strategically leading a Forensics department concerned in investigating serious crime.

A proven track record in forensic services delivery within law enforcement and or the private sector.

Experience of managing complex budgets, commercial contracts, and financial planning within a rapidly evolving operational setting.

Detailed understanding of the legislation, forensic science standards, accreditation frameworks, and regulatory requirements relevant to law enforcement forensic activity.

Strong track record of identifying and managing organisational, operational, and scientific risks, ensuring robust mitigation strategies are in place.

Demonstrates strong, confident, and inclusive leadership, setting a clear strategic direction and motivating multi‑disciplinary teams to deliver high‑quality forensic services.

Builds capability, develops people, and fosters a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement across diverse technical teams.

Makes effective decisions under pressure, particularly during high‑profile operations and critical incidents.

Understands and anticipates the evolving threat landscape and its implications for forensic service delivery at national level.

Aligns operational activity with wider organisational priorities, government strategy, and regulatory expectations.

Builds strong partnerships across law enforcement, government, and external forensic providers to enhance national capability.

Implements effective governance, quality assurance processes, and performance frameworks across multiple disciplines and locations.

Drives continuous improvement, innovation, and efficiency while safeguarding integrity and evidential standards.

Experience of leading significant organisational change, with a demonstrated commitment to improving culture across a business area.

Ability to embed and champion the principles of inclusion, diversity and equality (IDE) within teams, ensuring an open, supportive, and high‑performing environment.

Entry Requirements

Experience of strategically leading a Forensics department concerned in investigating serious crime.

A proven track record in forensic services delivery within law enforcement and or the private sector.

The above criteria will be assessed via CV - please ensure your CV demonstrates the above criteria.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Proven experience of strategically leading, managing and overseeing multi discipline forensic resources concerned in investigating serious crime.
• Experience of business, budget and risk management in a rapidly evolving department.
• Detailed knowledge of the key legislation and forensic accreditation requirements relating to Agency activity.
• Experience of leading change to improve culture across a business area considering the elements of inclusion, diversity and equality (IDE).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £85,021, National Crime Agency contributes £24,630 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How we will assess you

Your application will be assessed against the following:Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Proven experience of strategically leading, managing and overseeing multi discipline forensic resources concerned in investigating serious crime.

• Experience of business, budget and risk management in a rapidly evolving department.

• Detailed knowledge of the key legislation and forensic accreditation requirements relating to Agency activity.

• Experience of leading change to improve culture across a business area considering the elements of inclusion, diversity and equality (IDE).

Experience - This will be assessed:

CV

Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.

Details of what is expected within you CV are as follows: Please ensure your CV covers the following criteria;

Experience of strategically leading a Forensics department concerned in investigating serious crime.

A proven track record in forensic services delivery within law enforcement and or the private sector.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

- Proven experience of strategically leading, managing and overseeing multi discipline forensic resources concerned in investigating serious crime. .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.

Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

Additional assessment methods used alongside InterviewAs part of the assessment process Presentation will be required to assess the criteria outlined below:Please note as part of the interview candidates will also be required to deliver a 10 minute presentation to cover Leadership and Seeing the Big Picture. Full details will be given to the successful candidates.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

• Leadership

• Seeing the Big Picture

• Managing a Quality Service

Technical

• Proven experience of strategically leading, managing and overseeing multi discipline forensic resources concerned in investigating serious crime.

• Experience of business, budget and risk management in a rapidly evolving department.

• Detailed knowledge of the key legislation and forensic accreditation requirements relating to Agency activity.

• Experience of leading change to improve culture across a business area considering the elements of inclusion, diversity and equality (IDE).

Assessment OutcomeOutcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records. We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Full advert details for this vacancy can found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertisers' site.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : NCA Recruitment Team
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.