Adjudication and Casework Lead

About the Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC):

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) is an independent public body established by Government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle overdue payments and unfavourable payment practices in the private sector.

Its mission is to make life easier for small businesses by getting money moving through the economy and streamlining support. It achieves this by supporting small businesses to get paid quickly and on time, influencing larger businesses to reduce their payment times to suppliers and working with all businesses to improve the culture of payment practices across the UK.

The OSBC has a statutory duty to review enquiries and investigate formal complaints made by small businesses regarding late and overdue payments from large businesses, as well as providing advice and support on issues relating to overdue payments and payment practices in the private sector.

It undertakes a range of activity to improve outcomes for small businesses and works across Government, and with partners in the private and third sector, to raise awareness of the impact of overdue payments and unfair payment practices across the whole of the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

As an Arm’s Length Body (ALB), classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body, the OSBC is accountable to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade through its sponsorship team at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST).

The OSBC collaborates intensively with its sponsorship team at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, various partnership teams within BIST, and the Minister for Small Business, to provide valuable insights into issues impacting the small business sector, including the effects of Government policy and legislation.

Role Responsibilities:

Setting Strategic Direction:

Lead the Adjudication and Casework functions, setting strategic priorities, delivery plans and operational objectives. Reporting to the Head of Enforcement and Casework, ensuring delivery supports the OSBC’s Business Plan, statutory responsibilities and organisational goals.

Leading Operational Delivery:

Provide leadership and oversight of all casework and adjudication activity, ensuring operations are delivered efficiently, fairly, consistently and within agreed service standards.

Managing People and Performance:

Lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams, creating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, professional development and excellent customer service.

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance and Quality:

Maintain oversight of decision‑making processes and case outcomes, ensuring that all adjudications and casework activities are robust, evidence-based, legally sound and aligned with relevant legislation, policies and procedural standards.

Supporting Enforcement Activity:

Work closely with the Head of Enforcement and Casework to identify emerging risks, trends and compliance issues, contributing to enforcement strategies and the effective delivery of regulatory interventions.

Stakeholder Engagement and Influencing:

Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government departments, legal advisers, industry representatives and small and large business stakeholders, acting as a senior representative for the OSBC on adjudication and casework matters.

Driving Continuous Improvement:

Identify opportunities to enhance operational effectiveness, case management processes, governance arrangements and customer experience through the use of data, insight and best practice.

Governance, Risk and Reporting:

Provide assurance on performance, risks and operational…