Chief Investigator, Criminal Investigation, South
- Company: Government Recruitment Service
- Salary: £57,367 to £66,290 a year
- Hours: Full-time
- Location: Ipswich
- Job type: Permanent
- Posting date: 28 Oct 2026
- Closing date: 9 Nov 2026
For nearly 150 years, we've protected the UK economy with deep expertise and rigour, building the confidence that helps businesses access lending, investment and opportunity.
We help people deal with personal insolvency. We make statutory redundancy payments when insolvent employers can't. We investigate director conduct and take action where it's needed.
And right now, we're changing how we do all of this, becoming faster, more digitally driven, and more focused on stopping problems before they escalated.
More than 2,000 of us work in offices across England, Scotland and Wales. It might be time for you to join us.
Investigation Services within the Enforcement Group aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities, both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets.
We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes, and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community.
The Role
We're looking for a Chief Investigator who wants more than a job that ticks boxes. As a Chief Investigator, you will support your team, helping The Insolvency Service to meet one of its strategic objectives by combatting misconduct effectively, broadening our reach across emerging harms and making better use of intelligence, data and technology.
This is a role for someone who wants to think bigger, challenge the way things have always been done, and take ownership of the outcomes that matter.
We offer full-time, part-time, job share, and flexible working. We invest in your development and give our people the space to grow, take ownership and make decisions.
Reporting to the Assistant Director, this post is responsible for the leadership, management and operational delivery for a team of approximately 18 investigators/investigator managers carrying out criminal investigations (mainly under the Insolvency Act 1986, Fraud Act 2006, Companies Act 2006, Theft Act 1968, Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 and Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023) and for ensuring the team meets their objectives.
You will be based at Stratford, Croydon or Ipswich and will need to attend the relevant office regularly. Regular travel to other sites and to attend liaison meetings with stakeholders and other regulators, often at other offsite locations across the country will be required. Occasional overnight stays may be required.
What you’ll do (Responsibilities)
- lead the operational delivery of serious and complex criminal investigations, ensuring cases progress effectively and support appropriate enforcement outcomes
- lead and manage Investigation Managers and their teams, including trainees, to build capability and deliver high-quality work
- ensure investigations meet Government Counter Fraud standards, best practice and relevant legal requirements, including PACE, RIPA, CPIA and UK GDPR
- manage team performance, governance and risk, taking accountable decisions and creating an open environment that supports challenge, change and innovation
- work with Legal Services, Insolvency Group, intelligence, proceeds of crime, civil investigation and case targeting teams, as well as law enforcement, prosecuting authorities and regulators, to progress enforcement action promptly
- represent the Insolvency Service in discussions with solicitors and counsel, at court where required, and in dealings with stakeholders and the media
- contribute to the Senior Leadership Group, Directorate Leadership Team and Chief Investigator network to deliver the enforcement strategy, improve consistency and develop organisational capability
In their own words:
“I’m proud to have delivered new digital software redaction capability to the agency, which has provided investigators across the board with the tools to effectively redact large volumes of material in line with guidance and at much speedier rate than previously. This is in line with the Enforcement Group strategy objective of investment in technology, to provide colleagues with the right tools to perform.”
Chris, Chief Investigator
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
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Chief Investigator, Criminal Investigation, South employer: Government Recruitment Service
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Northampton where you can make a real difference in people's lives. With a strong focus on employee growth, collaboration, and innovation, DWP provides comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that you can thrive in your role while contributing to vital initiatives that reduce fraud and error. The inclusive work culture, supported by the Disability Confident employer scheme, fosters a sense of belonging and encourages diverse perspectives, making it a rewarding place to build your career.
Contact Details:
Government Recruitment Service Recruitment Team
