Legal Services Manager

Job title: Legal Services Manager | Grade: 7 | Employment type: permanent | Hours: full time (35 hours a week) | Starting salary: £61,820 | Directorate: Client Legal Services | Department: Public Defence Solicitors’ Office (PDSO) | Location: Edinburgh | Closing date: 7 September 2026 (23:55)

We are looking for a Legal Services Manager to lead and develop a team delivering high-quality legal defence services through the Public Defence Solicitors’ Office (PDSO) in Edinburgh. This role will involve managing people, performance, operational delivery and change, while supporting the continued development of an effective, client-focused public service.

This is an exciting opportunity to manage our team of solicitors at our flagship Edinburgh office with initial focus on people management to effect culture change, followed by leading change with legal aid reform, public sector reform and departmental redesign.

• Leading, motivating and developing a team of legal professionals
• Managing performance, wellbeing, attendance and employee relations matters
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding and retention of staff
• Monitoring team performance and improving productivity and service delivery
• Developing and maintaining effective operational practices and procedures
• Ensuring compliance with organisational policies, employment law, and health & safety requirements
• Leading and supporting change across the team and wider service
• Managing projects linked to SLAB and PDSO corporate objectives
• Identifying training and development needs and supporting colleagues through coaching and mentoring
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Supporting initiatives to attract and retain talent
• Contributing evidence and insight to inform wider criminal justice policy and practice

• experience of managing organisational change and improving team culture
• strong people management experience, including performance management and employee relations
• the ability to coach, mentor and support colleagues to develop
• excellent communication, influencing and conflict resolution skills
• sound judgement when managing people, services, resources and stakeholder relationships
• experience of working with operational controls, budgets, processes and compliance requirements
• strong planning and project management skills
• the ability to deliver high-quality work with initiative and minimal supervision
• experience of stakeholder engagement
• good IT skills, including Microsoft 365, Word, Excel and case management systems
• a relevant degree or equivalent qualification, or equivalent relevant work experience
• a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

• A meaningful role where your work makes a real impact
• A supportive, inclusive, and values-driven working environment
• Opportunities for learning and professional development
• Flexible work to support a healthy work-life balance
• A competitive salary and benefits package, including pension contributions
• Generous annual leave entitlement (34 days, rising to 42 days after two years’ service)
• Enhanced family-friendly leave entitlements
• Access to wellbeing support, mental health support and an employee assistance programme
• Access to a wide range of discounts (including gym and retail) and the Cycle to Work scheme through our partner, Edenred.

For more details about this role and a full list of essential criteria and required competencies, please see the Job Description. 

The Public Defence Solicitors’ Office (PDSO) is a national network of publicly employed solicitors, providing high-quality criminal legal assistance across Scotland. Established in 1998, we operate as a direct service of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, offering expert advice and representation to clients eligible for criminal legal aid. Our experienced team supports individuals facing summary and solemn cases at all levels, representing them in some of Scotland’s busiest courts.

For more information, visit www.pdso.org.uk.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) plays a vital role in ensuring access to justice for all individuals in Scotland. As a non-departmental public body, SLAB operates independently but is accountable to the Scottish Government. Our mission is simple: to provide essential legal support to those who need it most, ensuring fair access to justice for all.

We manage and continually improve the delivery of publicly funded legal assistance and provide strategic advice to Scottish Ministers, shaping the future of legal aid in Scotland. In a dynamic and evolving legal landscape, our work is central to the functioning of the justice system, supporting the courts and helping people navigate complex legal matters.

At SLAB, we believe in the power of a diverse, talented workforce. We employ individuals from all backgrounds, bringing a range of skills and experiences to our workforce. Every role, whether directly interacting with the public or providing behind-the-scenes support, makes a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

We offer an inclusive, supportive work environment with a comprehensive employment package. To learn more about working with SLAB and the benefits we offer, please visit www.slab.org.uk/recruitment/working-for-us.

We are an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to being fair, inclusive and a place where all belong.

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people.

We will ensure that the disclosure of disability status will not negatively impact anyone’s application. Where reasonable, we are committed to guaranteeing an interview to every applicant who indicates they have a disability, under the Equality Act 2010, and meets the minimum criteria for the role.

For further information on SLAB’s services, values, and how the legal aid system works, please visit www.slab.org.uk.