Head of Medico-legal Operations

Somek and Associates is a well known provider of health professional expert witnesses to the clinical negligence and personal injury market. We have been in existence for over 28 years and grown exponentially in this time, with aims to grow further to meet the burgeoning demand for our high quality services. We are a brand leader, having strong values, and passion regarding the role of expert witnesses in the pursuit of justice, and as such are a Corporate Partner of the Expert Witness Institute. We have a balanced portfolio of Claimant and Defendant instructions, underpinning our duties under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) for independence and impartiality.

We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Head of Medicolegal Operations to lead the further development of the services, while overseeing the operational management of all medicolegal aspects of service provision. The post holder will also communicate with our lawyer clients regarding contracts, service needs, developments in the industry, issues and new business. The post holder will work closely with the Managing Director and be a part of the Senior Management Team.

We are looking to recruit a lawyer with experience in the clinical negligence and personal injury market, whom we consider will have a unique insight to bring to our business and the industry as a whole.

**About us**:
Somek and Associates is part of the Frenkel Topping Group. Whilst we operate as a dedicated business, there will be opportunities and requirements to work at a Group level with support from FTG Head Office in key areas.

Having been established for nearly 30 years, Somek and Associates Limited (S&A) is one of the leading providers of Health Profession Expert Witness services in the UK.

**Our Vision**

To be the organisation of choice for expert witness services in the UK

**Our Mission**
- To ensure courts have the best expert evidence with which to deal with cases justly
- To ensure lawyers litigating cases (and other case workers instructing us) have supreme confidence in their decisions based on our quality expert input
- To ensure our expert input is seen as value for money

**POSITION**

**Hours**:Full-time / permanent (Monday to Friday)

Typically, 9am to 5.30pm (including 1 hour break)

**Salary Range** **Competitive and negotiable - Dependent on experience

**Location**:9 Chess Business Park, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1SD;
You will be eligible to work from home through our hybrid scheme, although leadership is best exercised from the office base. There will be requirements for travel including client meetings and events, and FTG meetings and activities.

**Accountable to**:Alison Somek, Managing Director, and

Jessica Thurston, Managing Director Elect

**Key liaison**:You will be required to liaise with and work closely with:
All members of the SMT but particularly MD and Head of HR

Key members of FTG

Senior Management Team members, S&A

Business Process Team, S&A

**Key line management responsibilities**:
You will directly line manage:
**QA Lead (Quantum)** **QA Lead (Liability)**

These two senior leads are experienced clinicians and expert witnesses who oversee training and development of expert witnesses, in addition to overseeing the quality assurance of all casework. They are also heavily involved in the recruitment process. They lead the quantum and liability QA Teams (all senior expert witnesses), organise the on-going EW training programme (including the Annual Conference) and input to other relevant activities. The QA Lead (Quantum) line manages the Reports Team Leader.

**Business Process Manager
Responsible for the Case Administrative / Case Management and Business Management teams. Additionally responsible for business process determination to maximise quality and efficiency.

**Executive PA / Client Liaison Assistant**

Responsible for supporting the SMT on a practical level (meeting organisation and minute taking). This post holder also assists with client liaison and provision of key reports for client meetings.

**ROLE OVERVIEW**

This role is a Senior Management Team position. The post holder will support the MD and SMT in driving its business aims and strategy and meeting the requirements of Group. The post holder will directly lead the provision and development of the expert witness services, with specific reference to expert case management and expert witness reports and services. You will work closely with the Head of HR, with regard to recruitment and training of high quality expert witnesses.

You will also lead on client liaison in conjunction with the MD, with particular reference to holding Management Meetings with key clients (top 20, new and potential clients and/or where a meeting is deemed to be required).

You will work with the MD and SMT to contribute to business planning and key decision making related to the development and growth of the business, whilst ensuring that our company values and standards are upheld.

Along with