Hearings Manager

Job Purpose The Hearings Manager will lead and develop the Fitness to Practise Hearings team, ensuring the efficient delivery of hearings and committee meetings in accordance with organisational policies, legislation and regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the day to day operation of the hearings function, leading a high performing team and driving continuous improvement across hearing processes. Working closely with colleagues across Enforcement, Legal and Professional Regulation, the Hearings Manager will ensure hearings are delivered efficiently, fairly and to the highest standard of customer service. Key Responsibilities • Lead, manage and develop the Fitness to Practise Hearings team, promoting a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement. • Provide direct line management to Hearing Coordinators, Scheduling Officers and Committee Secretaries, supporting their development and performance. • Ensure the efficient planning, coordination and delivery of Fitness to Practise hearings, Investigating Committee meetings and other regulatory proceedings. • Oversee hearing scheduling, panel availability and resource planning to ensure hearings are appropriately constituted and delivered within agreed service standards. • Provide expert advice and guidance to the team on hearings procedures, regulatory processes and operational issues, resolving complex matters where required. • Review and continually improve hearings processes, identifying efficiencies and implementing service improvements across the function. • Monitor operational performance against agreed KPIs, ensuring statutory deadlines and organisational targets are consistently achieved. • Work collaboratively with Enforcement, Legal, Case Management and senior stakeholders to support effective case progression and operational planning. • Support the recruitment, appointment, induction, training and ongoing performance management of Fitness to Practise Panel Members and Committee Members. • Review hearing determinations and outcomes to ensure quality, consistency and compliance with legislation and organisational policies. • Produce management information, operational reports and performance data, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement. • Ensure quality assurance processes are embedded across the hearings function and that learning points are captured and implemented. • Manage the panel appointment process, ensuring all hearings are appropriately constituted and quorate. • Deputise for the Head of Professional Regulation as required and provide support across the wider Professional Regulation management team. Person Specification Essential • Experience managing a Fitness to Practise, hearings, tribunal or adjudications function. • Proven experience leading and developing operational teams within a regulatory, tribunal or professional body environment. • Experience managing Hearing Coordinators, Committee Secretaries, Tribunal Administrators or similar operational teams. • Strong understanding of Fitness to Practise procedures, tribunal processes or regulatory hearings. • Experience managing operational performance, service standards and KPIs. • Demonstrable experience improving processes and implementing operational efficiencies. • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to build relationships across all levels. • Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing workloads and meet tight deadlines. • Experience producing management reports and analysing operational performance data. • Confident decision maker with strong problem solving skills. • Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience. Desirable • Experience within a UK healthcare regulator or professional regulator. • Knowledge of Fitness to Practise legislation and regulatory frameworks. • Experience managing statutory committee appointments or tribunal panel members. • Understanding of quality assurance, governance and continuous improvement methodologies.