Senior Investigator

About this role

The role will be based at our offices at 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5BS, in central London, however, please note that we are due to move to Canary Wharf in early 2027. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Informal hybrid working arrangements apply and there is an expectation that staff will attend the office regularly. Work pattern and office attendance will be agreed with successful candidates.

Job Summary

The SFO is a unique law enforcement organisation which both investigates and prosecutes the most serious and complex cases of fraud, bribery and corruption. We focus on conduct which undermines confidence in the UK financial markets, compromises the level playing field that investors deserve, or has a particularly strong public interest dimension. We currently employ approximately 400 permanent staff including lawyers, investigators, accountants, digital forensic experts and administrators. We work closely with our colleagues across law enforcement and the wider criminal justice system, both at home and abroad.

This is an interesting and engaging role where you will be required to work on investigations into suspected serious and complex fraud or bribery and corruption effectively. This may include working towards a Deferred Prosecution Agreement.

Working with the Principal Investigator, you will be responsible for leading strands of the investigation, obtaining key evidence, and managing investigators on the case. SFO cases are from inception to prosecution, and the SFO is unique in the way we work within multi-disciplinary teams made up of other investigators, lawyers, accountants, IT experts and Counsel to bring cases to timely and successful conclusions.

This is an important role and as an experienced investigator you will take responsibility for ensuring high profile cases are expedited.

Job Description

As a Senior Investigator you will be responsible for

• Conducting investigations in accordance with legislation, policy and procedure to successful outcomes in a complex, multi-strand legal and investigative environment.
• Reporting to a Principal Investigator and working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, leading areas of the investigation including key lines of enquiry and overseeing the work of junior investigators and other team members.
• Ensuring investigations are kept under constant review and providing regular updates and briefings to senior colleagues.
• Ensuring appropriate suspect and witness accounts are sought, obtained and strategically used, following relevant lines of inquiry.
• Producing key financial and investigation witness statements for SFO cases and giving evidence in court when required.
• Conducting the disclosure process in order to satisfy the obligations of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.
• Line managing and development of staff including agreeing objectives, monitoring, reviewing and recording performance against agreed objectives and addressing performance issues where appropriate.
• Any additional duties as required, including but not limited to providing cover for the Principal Investigator.

For more information about the role and for a full list of key responsibilities, please see attached Job Pack

As a Senior Investigator You Will Be Responsible For

• Conducting investigations in accordance with legislation, policy and procedure to successful outcomes in a complex, multi-strand legal and investigative environment.
• Reporting to a Principal Investigator and working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, leading areas of the investigation including key lines of enquiry and overseeing the work of junior investigators and other team members.
• Ensuring investigations are kept under constant review and providing regular updates and briefings to senior colleagues.
• Ensuring appropriate suspect and witness accounts are sought, obtained and strategically used, following relevant lines of inquiry.
• Producing key financial and investigation witness statements for SFO cases and giving evidence in court when required.
• Conducting the disclosure process in order to satisfy the obligations of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.
• Line managing and development of staff including agreeing objectives, monitoring, reviewing and recording performance against agreed objectives and addressing performance issues where appropriate.
• Any additional duties as required, including but not limited to providing cover for the Principal Investigator.

For more information about the role and for a full list of key responsibilities, please see attached Job Pack

Person specification

See above and attached Job Pack

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Recognised investigative qualification or accreditation OR Recognised accountancy qualification OR Current and demonstrable experience of leading and investigating serious and complex crime or regulatory matters.

Alongside your salary of £44,232, Serious Fraud Office contributes £12,814 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Option to join the Civil Service pension scheme. For further details, click here http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/pensions

Generous annual leave provision of 25 days which increases to 30 days after five years’ service plus an additional day in recognition of the King’s Birthday and the option to buy or sell up to five days’ leave per year. Different terms may apply if you are already a Civil Servant.

Discretionary performance-related bonus scheme.

Interest-free season travel ticket, bicycle loan and cycle to work scheme.

Access to the Rental Deposit Salary Advance Scheme which assists employees in meeting the costs of deposits for privately rented homes.

Opportunities for learning and development.

Flexible working arrangements and family-friendly policies.

Voucher for eye care and discounted spectacles.

Access to a range of discounts through membership of the Civil Service Sports and Social Club, CSSC Sports and Leisure. http://www.cssc.co.uk/

Maternity and paternity leave provision over and above the statutory entitlements.

Access to My CPS Rewards Gateway. My CPS Rewards offers staff a range of rewards and savings including:

• Discounts with high street retailers
• Savings on grocery shopping at a range of supermarkets
• Special salary sacrifice and recognition schemes
• Reloadable gift cards and e-cards
• Instant vouchers

Any move to the Serious Fraud Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Artificial intelligence

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.