Job Description

LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group) is a charity which enables access to justice by encouraging and supporting legal pro bono in England and Wales. Supported by the Law Society, we work primarily with solicitors, law schools and law students, and other legal and non-legal volunteers and organisations.

Director of Policy and External Affairs

Salary: £44,600

Hours: full time (35 hours)

Location: Central London/ part home-based

This is an exciting, challenging and varied role providing the opportunity to make a significant personal impact and to lead on, and contribute to, key areas of LawWorks’ activity and development.

You may not have a background in the legal sector or supporting access to justice, but you will have the passion and commitment to get up to speed in a new area of policy and practice.

A key aim for LawWorks is to address barriers to pro bono engagement and to contribute a pro bono ‘policy voice’ to wider issues to enable access to justice. We recognise that pro bono does not work in a vacuum and nor should pro bono be seen as, or become, a substitute for legal aid nor the vital work of law centres and advice agencies.

Working collaboratively, our policy work draws on the experience and expertise of pro bono clinics, our members, and partners. We aim to communicate both the value and contribution of pro bono (and also its limits), and address systemic issues that may result in the need for legal advice and representation or create barriers to accessing justice.

The Director of Policy and External Affairs is responsible (working closely with the Chief Executive) for ensuring the development, planning, delivery and impact of LawWorks’ policy development and influence. You will line manage and support the work of the Policy and External Affairs team and, as a member of the LawWorks’ senior leadership team, contribute to and support the development and delivery of LawWorks’ strategy, business plan, outcomes and impact.

The ability to work across and support other LawWorks teams is also vital for the role, including working closely with colleagues across the organisation on policy development, data collection, events and external engagement.

You will have a strong track record in leading and delivering successful policy development, analysis and influencing work. 

LawWorks is a relatively small organisation with 23 staff, including staff based in Wales and in the English regions. We are a busy and (for our size) complex charity, with a friendly team, a positive ethos, and a commitment to ensuring that LawWorks is a strong and efficient organisation and a great place to work. 

More information about the role and how to apply is available on the LawWorks website.

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Thursday 30th September.

LawWorks is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications irrespective of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age.