Senior Risk & Assurance ManagerNHS

Job summary

We are seeking a highly experienced risk and assurance professional to become the Trust's lead specialist and principal adviser on risk management and Board assurance arrangements. This is a senior, influential role at the centre of corporate governance, supporting Executive Directors, senior leaders and Board Committees to understand and manage the risks that could affect delivery of the Trust's strategic objectives.

Operating with considerable autonomy, you will combine expert technical knowledge with credible challenge, clear analysis and strong relationships. You will help strengthen organisational resilience, support effective decision-making and embed a positive risk management culture across the Trust.

About you

You will be an established senior risk, assurance or governance professional who can work confidently as a recognised subject matter expert in a complex, regulated environment. You will bring sound judgement, intellectual curiosity and the professional confidence to challenge senior leaders constructively.

Main duties of the job

What you will lead

Operational management, development and quality assurance of the Board Assurance Framework, including the annual review and refresh of strategic risks.

The Trust's operational risk management arrangements, including consistent application of policies, methodologies and standards.

High-quality risk and assurance reporting for the Board, Audit Committee, Board Committees and Executive and Senior Leadership Risk Assurance Group.

Identification of emerging risks, assurance gaps, control weaknesses and cross-organisational themes, with advice on mitigation and escalation.

The Internal Audit recommendations tracker process using 4Action, and management and development of the 4risk system.

The impact you will make

Create a clear line of sight between strategic objectives, risks, controls, assurance and performance outcomes.

Provide expert scrutiny and constructive challenge on risk assessments, controls, assurances and risk ratings.

Enable the Board and senior leaders to assess organisational resilience and make well-informed, risk-based decisions.

Job description

See attached Job description & Person Specification for full details.

Essential experience and expertise

• Master's degree or equivalent level of experience in governance, risk management, assurance, audit or a related discipline.
• Significant senior-level experience of risk management, assurance and governance within the NHS or a similarly complex regulated environment.
• Experience of leading and developing Board Assurance Frameworks and advising Executive Directors and Board Committees.
• A strong record of influencing senior stakeholders, providing constructive challenge and presenting complex information to Boards and senior leadership teams.
• Highly developed analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex or ambiguous information and make sound judgements.
• Excellent Board-level report writing, facilitation, negotiation and influencing skills.

Professional background

A relevant professional qualification, or progress towards one, would be welcomed. Examples include the Institute of Risk Management, the Chartered Governance Institute, an internal audit qualification, or a project or programme assurance qualification. A broad understanding of the NHS is desirable.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers.

Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.

At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.