Head of Group Assurance

Salary: Competitive Salary & Benefits

Reporting Line: Group Director of Assurance & Risk

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 27th June 2025

What to expect

As a Head of Group Assurance, you will join us on our journey and undertake a valuable role responsible for ensuring Post Office has the required frameworks and standards in place to support the business in establishing and maintaining a mature risk and control environment. The Group Risk and Assurance Function through appropriate coverage of POL and its business functions will establish objective oversight for the timely identification, assessment and reporting on the status of POLs risk and control environment to support the delivery of POLs strategic outcomes and safeguarding of Postmasters.

The Head of Group Assurance is a senior member of the Group Risk and Assurance team, responsible for the development and delivery of functional strategies, role modelling the Post Office Behaviours and demonstrating a Postmaster first mindset.

The Head of Group Assurance will be primarily responsible for ensuring the creation and timely delivery of the risk-based Group Assurance Plan. They will work collaboratively with POL’s Senior Management to understand POLs risk and control landscape, business plans and emerging trends and challenges to ensure the Group Risk and Assurance integrated assurance activities not only adequately cover the footprint of POL but also provides objective opinions on the status of POL control environment. They will drive a culture of inclusion, continuous improvement, and high performance in the teams they lead. They will drive decision-making across Business, Customer and Partners.

What we can do for you

Now, more than ever, we understand that attracting the right talent is pivotal in driving the positive change needed throughout our organisation. Beyond a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 27.5 days annual leave that increases with tenure
• Up to 18% on target bonus opportunity
• Car allowance
• Generous pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Income protection after 12 months service
• Full support from our employee assistance programme and access to our employee benefits platform
• Ever-evolving learning and development opportunities

Our commitment to embracing diversity extends beyond just words. We actively foster an inclusive workplace that values the unique perspectives and contributions from all colleagues. We hold the belief that Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are not just vital but fundamental to our success and growth. Our priority lies in shaping a business that mirrors the diverse communities we reach, truly making Post Office 'Everybody's Business'. As an equal opportunity employer, we value and celebrate the differences among our people, ensuring that our practices reflect our dedication to inclusivity and equal representation for all.

What you’ll need to succeed

• Degree educated, or equivalent, and holder of an ACA, CIMA, IIA, CII or qualified equivalent (not essential).
• Significant and demonstrable experience working in a second and or third line assurance function within FTSE 100 organisations, with practical experience ideally across financial risk types and non-financial risk types, risk and control frameworks, governance and all aspects of enterprise risk including risk appetite, policies, processes, data reporting and MI.
• Extensive experience in performing objective assurance risk and control reviews across operational, commercial, technology and change / transformation programme activities.
• Demonstrable experience leading large teams: collaborating with senior leaders, to shape and deliver functional strategy to achieve business objectives.
• Substantial experience convening multiple stakeholders and through successful relationships, leading key cross-functional projects to drive results across the organisation.
• Experience in leading and driving change aligned to functional and business strategies.
• Experience of the implementation of reporting mechanisms, KPI/KRI and risk management tools is a desired for the role.
• Experience of leading and delivering through a floating assurance pool.
• Empowering senior manager who can speak with knowledge, authority, and confidence in their subject matter, guiding their team toward success.
• An expert advisor with ability to apply advanced knowledge of Risk and Controls as well as broad knowledge of related areas.
• An understanding of data privacy laws, governance, risk, and budget management
• Advanced influencing and communication skills; using a range of techniques to deliver messages effectively make an impact and drive a successful outcome.
• Ability to maintain strong and influential relationships with senior stakeholders and leaders to build support for business plans.
• Strong commercial business acumen and ability to make data-driven business decisions.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding the values and principles of the POL organisation.
• A track record of actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within all areas of responsibility and in particularly in a Risk and Assurance Function.