We're looking for an experienced Senior Fitness to Practise Lawyer (Advocacy) to join our growing Fitness to Practise Legal Services team on a Fixed-Term Maternity Cover  Contract. This is an exciting opportunity to lead our in-house Presenting Officer function, providing strategic oversight of advocacy services that play a key role in protecting the public and maintaining confidence in professional regulation. Reporting to the Head of Fitness to Practise Legal Services, you'll lead and develop a team of Presenting Officers, oversee advocacy resources, and ensure effective representation before our statutory committees. As this is a relatively new role, you'll have genuine scope to shape the function, influence ways of working and drive continuous improvement. For candidates interested in maintaining hands-on advocacy experience, opportunities may also be available to conduct advocacy before our statutory committees.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing a team of Presenting Officers.
• Ensuring the delivery of high-quality, consistent and timely advocacy services.
• Acting as a senior escalation point for legal and procedural issues arising during hearings and case preparation.
• Overseeing the allocation of hearings across internal advocates, external legal providers and counsel.
• Monitoring advocacy quality through supervision, audit and performance reporting.
• Building and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and external legal partners.
• Delivering training, coaching and development initiatives to enhance advocacy capability.
• Supporting governance, performance reporting and the strategic development of the advocacy function.

Person Specification

We are looking for candidates that have:

• A current practising certificate as a Barrister, Solicitor Advocate or Solicitor.
• A minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience.
• Experience within professional regulation or another regulatory environment.
• Strong legal expertise and the ability to interpret complex legislation, case law and procedural rules.
• Experience advising on complex and sensitive matters.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to coach and develop legal professionals.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A commitment to high-quality advocacy, fair hearings and public protection.

Further information on this role is detailed in the Job Description and Person Specification 

Advert Closing Date: 1pm, 28 September 2026

Shortlisting and interview approach: Weekly review of applications, we encourage you to apply early to avoid missing out on the opportunity.

Interviews: Via MS Teams, one stage only, week commencing 28th September to 9th October,  competency-based interview and an assessment/presentation task. Details will be provided to successful candidates with their invitation to interview.

Application Process

• Please submit your CV and a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria.
• Applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.
• We are unable to provide feedback at application stage.

Important Information

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including DBS and original document checks.
• We reserve the right to close the vacancy early and therefore encourage you to apply asap

Rewards and Benefits

30 days holiday + bank, 8% employer pension, enhanced employee assistance and lifestyle rewards, free online 24/7 GP, ongoing training and professional membership support

HCPC's vision is to be recognised as an actively anti-discriminatory organisation that upholds and promotes best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion and an active ally for change. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join the HCPC. Please refer to  HCPCs Behavioural Standards Framework.