Head of Risk

Reporting directly to Thames Water's Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, you will be responsible for further maturing and embedding the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management ‘(ERM’) Framework. As part of your role, you’ll take the necessary steps so that that the framework and associated processes clearly link to Thames Waters strategic aims, Vision 2050 and the complex legal and regulatory regime within which the Company operates.

Working alongside the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, you’ll have overall responsibility for making sure that the Board’s Audit Risk and Reporting Committee (‘ARRC’), the Executive Risk Committee and the Senior Leadership Team across Thames Water has a clear, accurate and current view of the risk profile of the organisation and associated mitigation and control strategies. You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering a fit for purpose Risk Strategy focussed on mitigating the biggest risks that the Company faces.

You’ll also provide external reports on risk under the Corporate Governance Code (including the annual report pages) and other statutory or disclosable obligations. You’ll lead a small team of Risk Business Partners and oversee the improvement of risk management across all business directorates/functions, seeking ways to mature and optimise risk management (including through the delivery of training and coaching where required).

You’ll use your extensive knowledge and experience so that Thames Water is at the forefront of innovation and quality when it comes to the implementation of ERM, working as a trusted and valued strategic partner for senior leaders across the company.

What you’ll be doing as Head of Risk

• Ownership, implementation and management of the Enterprise Risk Management framework
• Overall facilitation of the Enterprise Risk Management process and provision of risk management support to business directorates and functions
• Mature risk management processes, resources and infrastructure to identify, measure and mitigate the organisation’s risks
• Monitor and report on the management of the organisations' risks to the Executive and Board
• Embedding risk management in every aspect of operational delivery
• Development and maintenance of the risk governance arrangements, including governance documentation and risk tolerance and appetite approach
• Delivery of training and mentoring programs for Enterprise Risk Management
• Function as the central focal point for all risk management disciplines across the business
• Engage and communicate intent and expectations to stakeholders through multiple channels
• Foster, develop and enhance strong risk management culture

What you should bring to the role:

• Expert knowledge of Risk Management frameworks
• Evidence of designing, implementing and embedding Enterprise Risk Management frameworks in large, complex organisations
• Experience of expanding and embedding Risk Management Information Systems
• Strategic and analytic thinker: optimising the Enterprise Risk Management strategy in close collaboration with the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer in order to support the company in meeting internal compliance obligations and deliver business advantage through effective management of risk
• Customer orientated: risk reporting in an appropriate way for different target audiences, for example to the board of directors so they understand the most significant risks, to business heads so that they are aware of risks relevant to their parts of the business and to individuals to understand their accountability for individual risks
• Results Orientated: focused on improvement of business results through effective risk management and mitigation
• Change Leadership: transforming risk management from a reporting focus to a management focus; creating consistency of approach across the organisation; driving improvement for the whole organisation to change in the same direction
• Collaboration and Influence: working effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• People and Organisational Development: developing risk management competency of risk owners, champions and the business as a whole

Ideally you will also be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of risk management water or wastewater company
• Experience of risk management in another highly regulated network business (i.e. gas, electricity, telecoms or rail)
• Experience of delivering turnaround in a large, complex business
• Risk Management accreditation or certification desirable

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £100,000 per annum depending on experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (Plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance - £5,800
• Annual Bonus - up to 25% of base salary
• Private Medical Health Care
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing

Who are we?

At Thames Water, our purpose is crystal clear - to deliver life’s essential service so our customers, communities and planet can thrive.

Water is life’s great leveller. Every living thing needs it, every single day. From people to plants, birds to bees, farms to factories, we all need it to thrive, and we’re committed to taking care of it for us all.

But keeping water flowing is becoming harder. From scorching summers to wetter winters, extreme weather affects everything from our pipes to our local rivers. We need to keep millions more kettles boiling, public services operating, washing machines spinning, showers running and more, so every drop is more precious than ever. Are you ready to play your part?

Working at Thames Water

At Thames Water, we recognise that people are at the heart of our business. To help us succeed in providing life's essential service, we need a range of skills and capabilities, representative of society throughout our business.

We seek to attract and retain a cultural mix of people who can offer different but complementary attitudes, values, talents, and knowledge. We understand the importance of appreciating and harnessing the unique skills, experiences, backgrounds, and differences that each individual brings.

Our over-arching diversity and inclusion aim is to ensure Thames Water is a diverse and inclusive great place to work. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process.

Find out more about working at Thames Water.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.