Head of Risk and Assurance (FTC)
Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
Department: Quality
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Location: Cheadle
Reporting To: Phil Raffo
Compensation: £60,000 - £69,000 / year
Description
Help strengthen governance, resilience and assurance across one of the world's leading biomedical research organisations.
At UK Biobank, our mission is to enable scientists around the world to make discoveries that improve human health. Protecting that mission requires more than strong technology; it depends on effective governance, robust risk management, resilient business operations and trusted assurance frameworks.
We are looking for a Head of Risk & Assurance to provide strategic leadership across our Assurance and Risk functions, helping ensure UK Biobank continues to operate securely, responsibly and in line with the highest regulatory and quality standards.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape how assurance, risk, business continuity and information security work together across the organisation while supporting major strategic initiatives, including Certified Trusted Research Environments (CTRE), organisational transformation and continual improvement of our management systems.
Responsibilities
- Maintaining, administering and continually improving the Microsoft SharePoint electronic Quality Management System (eQMS), including system configuration, workflow optimisation, user support and the implementation of enhancements.
- Developing, maintaining and testing Business Continuity Management (BCM) documentation, plans and supporting processes to ensure organisational resilience and compliance with relevant standards.
- Reviewing, updating and maintaining Information Security Management System (ISMS) documentation, with particular focus on risk management policies, procedures and associated governance processes.
- Coordinating and supporting regulatory and governance activities, including the maintenance of evidence, documentation and frameworks required for internal and external audits.
- Collaborating with stakeholders across the organisation to embed effective Risk and Assurance processes, ensuring policies, procedures and governance activities are consistently implemented and maintained.
Qualifications
- Experience managing and maintaining an electronic Quality Management System within Microsoft 365 and SharePoint.
- Strong knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks, certifications and industry standards.
- Experience overseeing multiple assurance functions, including audit, business continuity, information security and regulatory compliance.
- Leadership experience in risk management, audit and assurance, preferably within a regulated environment such as healthcare or life sciences.
- Strong analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to present information clearly to senior leadership teams and committees.
This is a Fixed Term Contract until the end of March 2027.
Working hours are 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with 2 days onsite and hybrid working available. The role is based across Cheadle and Manchester Science Park.
We actively welcome applications from people with disabilities, long term health conditions, neurodivergent candidates, and those with diverse thinking styles. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and in the workplace so that everyone can perform at their best. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Tommy Wilson at .
Benefits
- 26 Days' Annual Leave - Plus Bank Holidays
- Holiday Buy Scheme
- Birthday Leave
- USS Pension Scheme
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Enhanced Family Leave
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
- Professional Subscriptions
- Training & Development Opportunities
- Free On-Site Gym
- Subsidised Canteen Lunches
- Free Car Parking
- Employee Discounts Portal
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Annual Flu Vaccination
- Life Assurance Cover