Job Description

Details

-----------


###

Reference number

428904
###

Salary

104,365 - 111,100
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
###

Job grade

SCS Pay Band 1###

Contract type

Permanent###

Type of role

Legal Services

Senior leadership###

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

------------

Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

------------


London

About the job

-----------------

###

Job summary

Are you an experienced litigator with a proven track record of leading complex litigation? The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking a

Litigation Director

to lead high-stakes court and tribunal proceedings across the CMA's wide-ranging portfolio of cases.

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

The CMA is an independent non-ministerial UK government department and is the UK's principal competition and consumer protection authority. We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour.


We provide the opportunity to work across all sectors of the UK economy, undertaking objective, evidence-based analysis that can have a direct and substantial impact on the economy and economic prosperity.


Learn more about the role and the CMA by clicking on our candidate pack.

###

Job description

What you will do

As a key senior member of the CMA's Legal Service, you will manage litigation teams, oversee the conduct of litigation in the Competition Appeal Tribunal, High Court, and other forums, and work collaboratively with project teams, external barristers, and senior CMA leadership. You will also provide strategic advice on litigation risks in the pre-litigation stage of the CMA's work, ensuring robust legal input throughout CMA investigations and decision-making processes.

What you will be responsible for

Lead and manage litigation proceedings across the CMA's portfolio, ensuring timely, high-quality legal advice and outcomes. Working closely with General Counsel, Senior Litigation Director and other senior lawyers, managing relationships and overseeing delivery. Coach and develop a talented team of litigators, fostering a professional culture of excellence and innovation. Allocate resources effectively, managing budgets and career development opportunities. Engage proactively with senior CMA leaders and external stakeholders including government departments, competition agencies, and legal practitioners. Represent the CMA at external events and contribute to the broader leadership of the organisation.

What we can offer you

In return the CMA is a hugely diverse, rewarding and stimulating place to work - an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself in doing so. We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, at least 25 days leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, our employee assistance programme and flexible working options.

###

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.


1) Extensive practical experience of litigating in England and Wales, or other common law jurisdictions, preferably in the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the High Court (or their equivalent) (

Lead Criteria

).


2) Fully qualified lawyer entitled to practice as a solicitor (Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx Fellow) in England and Wales (

Lead Criteria

).


3) Strong experience in leading, managing and delivering high stakes and fast-moving litigation with defined resources and tight timescales, a proven capacity for strategic thinking (

Lead Criteria

).


4) A track record managing and developing a talented cohort of staff so as to embed the highest standards, both in terms of capability and professional ethos and in creating an inclusive environment that promotes a culture of respect towards colleagues at all levels.


5) Strong experience of working collaboratively with excellent communication, building relationships internally and externally, including with senior decision-makers, to negotiate and exerting influence with senior decision makers where needed.

###

Qualifications

Fully qualified lawyer entitled to practice as a solicitor (Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx Fellow) in England and Wales.###

Behaviours

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


Making Effective Decisions Seeing the Big Picture Leadership Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace ###

Technical skills

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


Litigation

Benefits

------------


Alongside your salary of 104,365, Competition & Markets Authority contributes 30,234 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
You'll also get:

25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King's birthday. In addition, you'll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.

Our Values

We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.


Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.


You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack above.

Things you need to know

---------------------------

###

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.
At application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate your suitability for the role in line with the essential criteria in the person specification, the Civil Service Success Profile Framework.


The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review), an Individual Leadership Assessment and an interview, which will include a written exercise or presentation.


Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential selection criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application.


An initial sift based on criteria 1, 2 and 3 (Lead Criteria) may be held if a large number of applications are received. If your application progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification will then be considered.


The closing date for applications is Monday 13 October 2025 (23:55pm).


We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date and time.


Shortlisting will take place 14-22nd October 2025.


Successful candidates at the shortlisting stage will be asked to participate in an Individual Leadership Assessment (ILA) which is a one-to-one psychological assessment of candidates in recruitment and selection for Senior Civil Service (SCS) roles. Candidates will complete a range of questionnaires on-line, the outputs of which are explored during a structured interview of approximately 1-2 hours with an assessor. The ILA must occur prior to interviews taking place. The assessment does not lead to a pass or fail decision; rather, it is intended to highlight areas of strength and possible concerns which the panel can probe at interview.



The ILA Assessments have been scheduled to take place from 27th October - 7th November 2025.


(Please note that where an individual has been assessed for an individual leadership assessment via Civil Service Resourcing and applies for another SCS post at the same pay band within a two year period, it is now policy to automatically re-use the original report).


During this time, shortlisted candidates will also be offered an informal chat with the vacancy holder.


Interviews are planned to take place from 11-13th November 2025. Those invited to interview will be asked to prepare a presentation or complete a written exercise, details of which will be provided in advance of the interview.


The interview will be a 1-hour panel interview where you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours and Experience elements outlined in the role profile.


Interviews will be face-to-face and take place in the London CMA office in Canary Wharf.


Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these time frames, please let us know in your application.

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.



If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. You can also email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.


For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our

candidate guidance

for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
###

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.###

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

---------------------------------


This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.###

Contact point for applicants

####

Job contact :

Name : Becky Smith Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk
####

Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk ###

Further information

If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.