Head of QLTS

Reports To:           Director of the SQE

Direct Reports:       QLTS Academic Director, QLTS Head of Operations, QLTS Assessments Director

Key Stakeholders: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

Kaplan has run the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) assessments on behalf of the SRA since 2011. QLTS provides a route for lawyers from other jurisdictions and barristers of England and Wales to qualify as solicitors of England and Wales.  It is a comprehensive and innovative assessment using contemporary assessment methodology.  The assessment comprises two parts: Part 1 (the MCT) is an extensive multiple choice test delivered internationally in conjunction with Pearson VUE at their test centres.  Part 2 (the OSCE) tests law and both written and oral skills.

In April 2017 the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) made a decision to introduce a new national assessment known as the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), leading to qualification as a Solicitor of England and Wales.  In June 2018, after an extensive tender process, Kaplan was appointed as the Assessment Organisation to develop and deliver the SQE.  QLTS will ultimately be subsumed within the SQE but is expected to continue running until at least 2021.

We are now inviting applications from candidates with experience at a senior level in legal education for the position of Head of QLTS to replace the current Head (who will become Director of the SQE). Over time, leadership opportunities will arise within the SQE for which the Head of QLTS will be in a position to apply.

Primary objectives:

• To ensure the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) continues to achieve the highest standards both academically (in terms of the quality of the assessments) and operationally
• To provide leadership to the QLTS team

Responsibilities:

Delivery of the QLTS

QLTS has an excellent track record for the quality of the assessments and also for delivery and customer service.  The postholder will be expected to take overall responsibility for maintaining and where possible improving on this track record including;

• Responsibility for all operational aspects including booking, candidate correspondence, the MCT and the OSCE assessments, results, exam boards and appeals
• Academic responsibility for the quality (reliability and accuracy) of the assessments
• In collaboration with the Director of the SQE, budgetary responsibility for the QLTS
• Responsibility for reporting to and liaising with the Regulator (the SRA).

Leadership & management

The postholder will provide leadership to an experienced and talented team including;

• Ensuring a strong, focused and effective team
• Ensuring the team understand and are engaged with individual, function and business goals
• Cascading information to the team about business performance and progress towards goals
• Ensuring all day-to-day people management processes take place, according to company policies
• Promoting and embodying Kaplan as a Great Place to work
• Driving and championing national initiatives such as Building a Brighter Future

The post holder will, in addition, carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by their line manager or senior manager.  As business requirements change, the job description will evolve.

Person Specification:

Experience and qualifications

Essential

• Professional qualification as a solicitor
• Successful management experience at a senior level in legal education including exams, exam boards, appeals, reasonable adjustments, operational matters and liaising with the SRA

Desirable

• Experience and understanding of contemporary assessment methodology
• Experience of managing budgets

Skills

• The ability to lead a team and work efficiently and sensitively with both academic and
• support staff
• The ability to think both originally and analytically
• The ability to understand contemporary assessment methodology including its statistical aspects
• The ability to build a strong and productive relationship with the SRA
• Strong administrative skills
• Computer literate

Applications:

Please send your CV with a short email outlining why the role interests you and highlighting your most relevant skills and experience to Eileen.fry@kaplan.co.uk. Applications will be accepted until close of business on 24 August 2018.

Kaplan is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. If you require any adjustments or additional support within the recruitment process, please contact us directly. To view our Candidate Privacy Notice click here.