Summary

This is an overview of the role: The Head of Risk & Governance will be responsible for setting, maintaining and reviewing the strategic and operational framework for the lifecycle of Investment activities, within the context of the wider agency - including the Delegations, Governance, Decision Making, Risk Management Framework and operational support activities that contribute to directorate performance. You will be responsible for making sure that the control environment for all Investment activities is robustly supported through effective policy and process design; including the integration of newer Investment activities such as Infrastructure Grants and Affordable Housing Programmes. You will report directly to the Assistant Director and will have a close working relationship with senior colleagues across all of the Investments teams. You will also be responsible for working closely with teams across the wider Agency; including Risk, Finance, Legal Services, Governance and Internal Audit. You will be a key member of the Performance and Business Management Senior Team, who collectively are responsible for ensuring that the directorate is effectively managed and supported to deliver business plan targets.

Job description

The successful person will be responsible for: Lead and manage all governance, risk management and operations activities across the directorate to ensure that the control environment for all funds and activities remains fit for purpose. Lead and manage relationships with Directors, Assistant Directors and Heads of Team across the Investments directorate to ensure that policy and process is understood and implemented. Ensure that governance structures and processes work effectively and efficiently, making improvements where necessary; work with central Government Relations, Governance and Assurance colleagues where necessary to ensure that governance structures are agreed and accepted by Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Ensure that the directorate understands and acts upon its risk management obligations, in order to protect its activities and provide assurance to the Chief Executive Officer. Lead and manage the relationship with key client groups across the Agency, including Risk as the 2nd line of defence, Internal Audit as 3rd line, Legal Services, Finance and Governance.  

Responsibilities

In order to complete the responsibilities of this role the successful candidate will have: Essential: Degree level qualification or equivalent experience; Experience in leading and managing a multi-disciplinary team responsible for developing and operating robust governance and operations frameworks; Experience in leading and managing risk management activities at a similar organisation and Familiarity with investment operations or loan management activities in a similar environment. Desirable: Strong interpersonal and influencing skills; Flexibility the ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment; Knowledge of the principles for managing public resources, as set out in ‘Managing Public Money’; Demonstrable knowledge and experience in delivering government housing programmes; and Public policy, public financing or regulatory experience, including housing.