CQC Interim Deputy Director of Portfolio Assurance

Interim CQC Deputy Director of Portfolio Assurance

Executive Level 3:£75,183 per annum
Contracted

Hours:

Full time 37 hours per week
Contract Type: 12

Months Secondment / Fixed Term Opportunity
Location:Home-based, with travel to meetings as required
Closing Date:19th January 2026 m
Interview Date:Monday 9th February 2026 via MS Teams

Make a difference

Every role at CQC contributes to our mission.

If you’re looking for a short-term leadership role in Governance and Assurance that offers real impact and purpose, this is your opportunity! As our Deputy Director of Portfolio Assurance
, you’ll lead the governance and assurance of change and improvement initiatives, ensuring robust frameworks and alignment with strategic priorities.

This role will focus on prioritisation, benefits realisation and embedding best practice across the organisation.

You will be an advocate for sharing best practice, you will define and maintain, in collaboration with the Deputy Director colleagues in the function who are experts in their fields, the standards for change and improvement including project management and business change across the team.

• Lead and shape portfolio assurance improvements, ensuring robust frameworks and processes.
• Provide assurance and high-quality reporting to Board and Executive Committees.
• Drive alignment between organisational priorities and change initiatives, embedding best practice and statutory compliance.

• Facilitate the provision of assurance, to the Executive Committee (portfolio oversight function) and the Board of Directors, over the delivery and expected future performance of major change initiatives defined within the scope of the CQC Change Portfolio.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure clarity, transparency, and accountability in decision-making.
• Contribute to strengthening assurance frameworks and prioritisation processes during this transitional period.

We will be looking for specific skills, knowledge and experience in your application form:

• Significant experience of developing an organisational assurance and advice service, specifically in relation to major change programmes, that provides an independent and objective assessment of confidence, supports effective decision making and thus drives successful delivery of a Major Change Portfolio.
• Strong experience in portfolio, programme, and project governance within complex organisations.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with senior leaders in high-profile environments.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to deliver at pace.

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV via the Recruitment System.

If you’d like to have an informal chat about the role you can contact Jane Burns, Director of Governance & Assurance on

For general enquiries, please email

To progress your application, you’ll need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Without valid right to work you won’t be eligible for the role.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Some roles may also be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

You can read the full details of the role in the following

Job Description:

JD DD of Portfolio Assurance Jan 2026.docx

If you apply, you’ll need to create a profile and complete an online application form. Your application will be completely anonymous. Please see our information for applicants for more details on the process. We contact every applicant to let them know the outcome of your application, so you will hear from us whether or not you are shortlisted.

• Annual leave starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days with service, plus bank holidays (usually 8 days per year).
• Training and development opportunities.
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation.
• NHS pension scheme, with around 14% employer contribution.
• Discount schemes (including eligibility for Blue Light card, costing £4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more!
• Please see our benefits page for the full list.

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