** Regional (North East and Midlands) and Financial Investigation Lead

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.

The post holder will provide strategic leadership across serious and complex investigations, directing senior managers and investigative teams to deliver high-quality outcomes. They will set priorities, shape operational strategy, ensure investigative standards are consistently met, and maintain robust governance and oversight arrangements. Operating in a fast-paced and demanding environment, the post holder will exercise sound judgement, make informed decisions under pressure, and effectively identify, manage and mitigate risk.

Working closely with a wide range of internal and external partners, including the National Crime Agency, territorial police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service and international law enforcement agencies, the post holder will drive a coordinated approach to tackling complex criminality. The role requires the ability to build credibility and influence at senior levels, manage sensitive and high-profile issues, and contribute to national operational and strategic decision-making.

The post holder will also be responsible for developing organisational capability, leading and inspiring high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. They will champion inclusion, wellbeing and professional standards, ensuring colleagues are supported to deliver their best and develop their careers within a positive and inclusive working environment.

Job description

The post holder will lead senior managers and investigation teams within Northern Command East of Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI), shaping operational strategy and setting priorities for the delivery of serious and complex investigations. They will provide visible leadership, ensuring the highest investigative standards are maintained, effective governance frameworks are in place, and risks are proactively identified and managed. Operating in a demanding and dynamic environment, the post holder will make sound, evidence-based decisions under pressure, balancing operational priorities with strategic objectives to deliver high-quality outcomes.You may be required to undertake the same or a similar role within a different team or teams (where possible, at your base location or within reasonable travel distance), depending on business priorities. With appropriate training and support, this will provide opportunities to broaden both your experience and skill set.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for (but not limited to):

• Provide strategic leadership to the National Financial Investigation Unit and Cash Forfeiture & Condemnation Legal Team, ensuring the effective delivery of organisational priorities, operational objectives, and business outcomes.
• Direct and oversee serious, complex, and high-profile criminal and financial investigations, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, professional standards, and governance frameworks.
• Lead, manage, and develop senior managers and multidisciplinary teams, fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture that promotes excellence, wellbeing, accountability, and continuous professional development.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, prosecuting authorities, government departments, and international partners, to support the delivery of coordinated operational outcomes.
• Provide expert advice, assurance, and strategic insight to senior leaders on complex criminal and financial investigations, asset recovery activity, legal matters, and operational risk.
• Manage organisational risk, resources, and performance, ensuring effective governance, sound decision-making, and the successful delivery of operational objectives within a demanding and evolving environment.
• Represent the organisation at senior-level forums, influencing national policy, strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives across criminal and financial investigations, asset recovery, and wider law enforcement functions.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Travel

The post holder will be required to travel regularly and attend other CFI offices across the UK as required, occasionally at short notice, to support operational and business priorities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Extensive senior-level experience leading complex criminal, money laundering, and asset recovery investigations, delivering successful outcomes in high-profile and challenging environments
• Strong knowledge and practical application of key investigative legislation, including Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA), Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), and associated regulatory frameworks.
• Expert understanding of POCA - Part 5 Civil Recovery powers and Civil Recovery in Summary Proceedings (CRISP) powers, with proven experience applying them effectively.
• Strategic leader with the ability to develop organisational direction, provide expert advice, and operate effectively across both strategic and operational priorities.
• Highly skilled in problem-solving and decision-making, confidently managing complex, sensitive, and high-profile operational matters under pressure.
• Inspirational and visible people leader with a proven track record of leading, motivating, and developing high-performing teams to achieve organisational objectives. Committed to fostering inclusive cultures, promoting organisational values and behaviours, and building collaborative partnerships across teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly, build credibility at senior levels, manage competing priorities, and deliver results through resilient and continuous improvement-focused leadership

Desirable Criteria

• IMSDP PIP2 accredited.
• Accredited Financial Investigator.

Licences

Due to the nature of the work and/or the geographical area, driving is a key requirement for this role. It is essential you hold a full valid UK manual/automatic driving licence at the time of application.

Your licence will be checked at interview stage and you must confirm you hold one when you apply

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day