Head of Economic Crime Unit (ECU) and Cyber
Special Grade – salary £81,816 to £87,183 (annual pay award pending)
Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU)
Wakefield
Full time permanent – 37 hours
Reporting to: YHROCU Head of Operations
Lead the Regional Fight Against Economic Crime, Cyber Crime and Serious Organised Crime
The Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU) is seeking an outstanding senior leader to become our next Head of Economic Crime Unit (ECU) and Cyber.
This is a high-profile senior leadership role with responsibility for leading specialist regional capabilities that tackle some of the most significant threats facing communities, businesses and public services. You will oversee the strategic and operational delivery of economic crime, cyber crime, asset recovery and denial activity across the Yorkshire and Humber region, working alongside national law enforcement partners, government agencies and private sector organisations.
As a member of the YHROCU Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic direction, operational leadership and expert advice at regional and national level, helping shape the response to serious and organised crime across the UK.
About the Role
The Head of ECU and Cyber has responsibility for the strategic management and tactical delivery of specialist Economic Crime and Cyber capabilities across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Working collaboratively with regional forces, the National Crime Agency (NCA), government departments, financial institutions and regulatory bodies, you will lead the development and delivery of innovative solutions to combat serious and organised crime.
This role requires a strategic thinker who can also operate effectively in complex operational environments, providing leadership during major investigations and critical incidents.
Key Responsibilities
You will:
- Lead, manage and continually develop the YHROCU Economic Crime and Cyber capabilities.
- Provide strategic leadership and operational direction across economic crime, cyber crime, financial investigation and asset recovery.
- Undertake the role of Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) where required in serious and complex investigations.
- Develop and implement regional strategies, policies and operating models that enhance performance and effectiveness.
- Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams comprising police officers, police staff and partner agency professionals.
- Provide expert advice and guidance to Chief Officers, Senior Leadership Teams and national policing forums.
- Build strong partnerships across policing, government, law enforcement agencies, regulators and the private sector.
- Coordinate regional responses to emerging threats, ensuring effective delivery against national and regional priorities.
- Maintain oversight of complex grant-funded programmes and significant regional budgets.
- Promote innovation, organisational learning and the adoption of best practice across Economic Crime and Cyber functions.
- Champion ethical leadership, inclusion, wellbeing and high professional standards.
Scale and Impact
This is an influential leadership role within YHROCU, with responsibility for:
- Leading and managing up to 60 direct reports from policing and partner organisations.
- Supporting the wider leadership of approximately 350 staff across YHROCU.
- Oversight of confiscated criminal assets of up to £30 million annually.
- Strategic oversight of a regional budget of approximately £17 million per annum.
- Representing YHROCU at regional, national and international forums.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking an accomplished, credible and inspirational leader with significant experience operating within serious and organised crime, economic crime or cyber investigations.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- Significant experience successfully leading serious and complex criminal investigations.
- Qualification as a PIP Level 3 Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) in Serious and Organised Crime.
- Extensive experience managing complex and protracted cyber crime and financial investigations at Force, Regional or National level.
- Proven senior leadership and people management experience.
- Senior Authorising Officer (POCA) status or substantial experience in financial investigation and asset recovery.
- Experience of developing, implementing and evaluating strategic policy and operational delivery models.
- Detailed knowledge of accounting procedures and the analysis of complex financial information.
- Strong understanding of cyber crime legislation, financial investigation practices and Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) legislation.
- Experience managing significant budgets, financial controls and resource allocation.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to build productive relationships across multiple agencies and sectors.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and leadership excellence.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At YHROCU we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. Diversity of thought, experience and perspective strengthens our ability to protect the public and tackle serious and organised crime.
Vetting and Additional Requirements
The successful applicant must:
- Be prepared to undergo and maintain Security Check (SC) Vetting.
- Be willing and able to travel as required across the region and nationally.
- Have access to a private motor vehicle and be prepared to use it for policing purposes.
- Be available to participate in the YHROCU Senior On-Call Cadre.
- Be willing to work flexibly in line with operational requirements.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and based on your own experience. Where plagiarism is identified—such as presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or AI-generated content, as your own—applications may be withdrawn.
