Head of Equality and Access to Justice
This is a {Advertised Permanent / Temporary}, {Advertised Full Time / Part Time} vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.
The Vacancy
| Job Title | Head of Equality and Access to Justice |
| Hours | Full time Hybrid Working Policy - Minimum 4 days per month in office, plus events and collaboration |
| Job level | £75,000 to £78,000 per annum - Band 3 |
| Location | High Holborn, London |
The Role
The purpose of this role is to lead on the BSB’s priority to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar, whilst providing executive leadership to the organisation on equality, diversity and inclusion matters. An opportunity to make a real impact on the Bar and those it serves, it will lead our response to the recent report of the Independent Review of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment at the Bar by Baroness Harman, which has highlighted the need to improve the culture at the Bar, to ensure that it is a profession for people from all backgrounds. This is a long-term project that will involve working with the profession and others to achieve our desired outcomes.
Key responsibilities of the post:
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Strategic thought leadership, challenging the BSB and the profession to achieve improved equality and diversity outcomes and a more inclusive culture, setting clear long-term goals;
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Working with internal and external stakeholders to achieve those goals, by: influencing colleagues and stakeholders; outreach and speaking engagements; delivering training; and promoting good practice;
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Ensuring that the BSB has appropriate policies in place to achieve its aims to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar. This includes appropriate regulatory arrangements (such as rules and guidance for the profession) and internal policies and procedures, where appropriate.
Key skills and experience required including:
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Excellent policy development, project management, and forward planning skills, with experience of implementing and managing policy development in a regulatory or similar context
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Strategic thinking and analytical skills, with an ability to present complex information and difficult messages clearly and persuasively
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentations
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Detailed knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity law and policy and related training methodologies
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Experience of providing expert advice and training on equality and diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
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Knowledge and understanding of the structure of the legal profession
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Relationship building and collaboration – Ability to work as part of a team, develop and maintain internal and external relationships and networks, credibility with senior stakeholder and an ability to deal with difficult situations, people and issues
Full details of the role requirements, and role specification can be viewed in the job description – see below/ attached).
The BSB
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulates barristers and their professional practice and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. We are responsible for setting education and training requirements, setting standards, authorising organisations, monitoring the service provided, and handling complaints. Barristers work at the heart of our justice system so BSB’s mission is fundamentally important to the maintenance of the rule of law.
Our people value our friendly and respectful environment, our support for flexible working, the opportunity to have a high degree of impact and our interesting, challenging, and varied work. More about our work can be viewed on our website, including our Strategic Plan for 2022-2025.
Working for the BSB
The Bar Standards Board offers excellent terms and conditions of employment, including:
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Hybrid Working is the agreed way of working.
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We work from the office for a minimum of four days per month.
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Option to work from the office more and attendance expected when there are team or organisational events.
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Up to 31 days annual leave, plus a holiday transfer scheme
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Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution
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Parental leave and flexible working policies
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Private medical insurance
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Plus a range of additional benefits, including discounts and rewards.
Applying
To apply for this role, please submit your CV and covering letter, addressing the essential criteria from the person specification. We operate an anonymous recruitment process, to reduce the chance of unconscious bias from our process, please remove your name and other personal information from your CV and covering letter before submitting.
The Bar Standards Board is a Disability Confident Committed employer. Candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role will be guaranteed an interview. Candidates with a disability who require reasonable adjustments should contact Vivien Bock, HR Adviser on 0207 611 4699 or BSBPeopleTeam@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk to discuss arrangements.
The Bar Standard Board aims to recruit a talented workforce and values the diversity in background, skills and experience of its staff. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all job applicants irrespective of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, maternity or pregnancy, marital or civil partnership status or gender re-assignment.
| Closing Date | 19th October 2025 at 23:59pm |
| Proposed Interview Date | Week commencing 3rd November 2025 |
| Contact Details | 0207 611 4699 or BSBPeopleTeam@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk |
About The Bar
The independent, practicing Bar of England and Wales is more than 16,500 strong and plays a crucial role in upholding the principles of government accountability under law and vindication of legal rights through the courts.
A strong and independent Bar exists to serve the public. As specialists, independent advocates, barristers enable people to uphold their legal rights, often acting on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society.
The Bar makes a vital contribution to the efficient and effective operation of criminal and civil courts. It provides a pool of talent, from increasingly diverse backgrounds, from which a significant proportion of the judiciary is drawn, and on whose independence the rule of law and our democratic way of life depends.
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