Policy Executive

Job Description

Policy Executive, Permanent, £48,336pa, 35 hours per week

It is an exciting time to join the Policy Team at the Law Society of Scotland. With a recently appointed Head of Policy and Policy Manager, we now have the opportunity for a Policy Executive to join our team, helping to influence the shape of public policy and legislation in Scotland.

About us

As the professional body for over 13,000 Scottish solicitors, the Law Society of Scotland seeks to lead legal excellence. Not only do we regulate the solicitor profession in the public interest, we provide services and support to help the profession thrive. We also play a key role in influencing public policy.

Our External Relations directorate comprises our Policy, Communications, Research and International teams. The Policy Team aims to influence the creation of a fairer and more just society, promoting the rule of law, responding to consultations, legislation and other policy developments at Holyrood and Westminster. Our committees are populated by volunteers who are experts in their field.

At the centre of our organisation are the values of Respect, Openness, Progress, Inclusion, and Integrity which drive our teams to deliver the best possible service for the legal sector and beyond. 

Key Responsibilities for this role

As a Policy Executive, you will work with our Policy Committees to ensure that our policy views are effectively represented in responses to Bills, consultations and in engagement with stakeholders. This can include drafting written responses and amendments, briefing for - or appearing at - Parliamentary committees, arranging stakeholder meetings and acting as Secretary to our committees within your policy areas.

Reporting to our Policy Manager, the successful candidate will:

• Influence civil law policy, particularly the areas of Property Law, Land Law, Environmental Law and Tax Law
• Work with volunteers on our policy committees to respond to consultations, legislation and other policy developments;
• Engage with Scottish and UK governments and a wide range of stakeholders on relevant policy developments affecting our members, their clients and the public interest.

Key Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Legal, political or public affairs background and relevant experience
• Experience of relevant legal and policy issues, with exposure to one or more of environment law, planning law, marine law, property and land law, rural affairs and tax.
• Organised, enthusiastic and display excellent communication skills
• Able to manage projects effectively and implement concurrent programs of work
• Able to engage and collaborate to achieve positive change

What we offer our employees?

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our colleague’s professional and personal needs. Some of these include:

• A hybrid working environment.
• Flexible working, to allow you to work around your lifestyle and commitments.
• 30 days holiday plus bank holidays
• A competitive pension provision scheme
• Excellent family friendly benefits
• Learning and Development opportunities to enhance your skills or through programmes leading to professional or academic qualification.
• Private medical insurance including dental and optical.
• Various health and wellbeing benefits such as confidential counselling services, bike to work scheme, eyecare, and offers on well-known brands through our Lifestyle savings offering.

The Law Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds. We hold a Leaders in Diversity Award in recognition of our commitment to advance fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement within our organisation and the Scottish legal sector. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity page. 

We are always on the look for new talent to join our incredible workforce. If you are looking for a new opportunity within the society, we would love to hear from you!

If this opportunity sounds like the one for you, click Apply now.

This vacancy will close at 11:30am on 13 January 2024.

Please note – we will be unable to monitor queries and emails relating to this vacancy between 24th December – 2nd January.

Shortlisting for this vacancy will take place week commencing 13th January – applicants should expect to hear back following this date.

We do not provide feedback to applicants who are not selected for interviews.