Head of Governance, Risk and Assurance

Head of Governance, Assurance and Risk

Leeds - hybrid

Permanent

We're seeking a strategic leader to drive continuous improvement of our robust governance, risk management and assurance frameworks across the NG Bailey Group. In this pivotal role, you'll ensure our controls and practices effectively support an agile, complex and growing organisation whilst strengthening internal controls, enhancing risk maturity and enabling informed, confident decision making across the business. This is a high-profile role with regular engagement at Audit & Risk Committee and Executive level.

You'll lead on promoting a culture of strong risk awareness and control excellence, whilst providing leadership to the internal audit function.

• Design, deliver and maintain the group’s Assurance Framework, ensuring coordinated assurance from first, second and third lines of defence
• Transform and facilitate the operation of the group’s Risk Management Framework, including risk appetite, risk registers, emerging risks and escalation processes
• Oversee continuous improvement of fraud prevention and detection policies and procedures
• Oversee the development and delivery of the internal audit plan for approval by the Audit & Risk Committee, aligned to strategic objectives and principal risks
• Delivery of internal audit activity ensuring timely, high-quality outputs, including oversight of the third-party co-source arrangement
• Monitoring and reporting on agreed management actions to satisfactory closure, using a central actions database
• Guide the group’s governance frameworks across various areas (e.g. modern slavery working group), ensuring clear accountability, effective decision-making structures and alignment with regulatory, statutory and best-practice requirements
• Oversee the security & resilience team, bringing business continuity and data protection within the group’s overall governance, risk & assurance framework
• Attend Audit & Risk Committee, Board and GLT meetings to provide concise, informative updates
• Produce high-quality reports and papers for the Audit & Risk Committee, Board, GLT, CEO, CFO and senior management, providing clear insight, challenge and assurance
• Manage, supervise and develop the Risk and Assurance teams ensuring capability, capacity and quality
• Act as Deputy Whistleblowing Officer, triaging and overseeing whistleblowing cases to ensure independent, thorough and confidential investigation and resolution
• Provide pragmatic governance, risk and control advice to the business, including support for projects, change initiatives, investigations and management reviews
• Embed a continuous assessment and monitoring approach across key risk and control areas
• Meet with other third-party bodies when required to demonstrate our audit and assurance processes
• Promote a strong risk-aware and ethical culture, improving understanding of governance, risk, control and assurance across the group
• Manage the Governance, Risk and Assurance budget within agreed parameters
• Lead or undertake ad hoc governance, risk and assurance work as required

• Extensive experience in governance, risk management and internal audit / assurance roles covering a range of audit tools and techniques, ideally acquired in both industry and professional practice
• Previously been in a senior leadership team management role, having led and managed teams of 5+ people
• Ideally proven experience in a similar industry (e.g. engineering, utilities, construction, energy)
• Proven understanding of corporate governance, internal control and risk management frameworks.
• Experience of working with Executive teams, Boards and Audit & Risk Committees
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills
• Strong report-writing and presentation skills
• High levels of commercial and strategic awareness
• Strong analytical capability with a focus on root cause and practical solutions

• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays with an option to Buy/Sell additional days
• Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution
• Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance…