Risk & Assurance Lead

We're looking for a Risk & Assurance Lead to join the Railway Safety Team until 31 March 2027. This role can be based at any of our office locations: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, York, Glasgow. ORR operates a hybrid working model, working from a workplace location other than home for at least 40% of each month. This may be higher depending on the role and business needs. Workplace locations include ORR offices, inspection sites, off-site meetings, conferences, and other approved business locations.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is the independent economic and safety regulator for Britain’s railways and monitor of performance on England’s strategic road network.

This is an exciting time to join ORR, we are delivering a significant transformation programme to create a consistently agile and enabling organisation, with the right capability and a strong, inclusive culture that reflects our talented people. This will ensure we continue to operate as an independent, expert regulator, fit for the future and equipped with the capabilities and ways of working required to support sector-wide rail reform, while contributing to the government’s broader agenda on regulatory reform and economic growth. Further detail on our future role is set out here.

Railway Safety Directorate ensures duty-holders in the railway industry manage health and safety risks effectively and comply with their statutory duties. The Chief Inspector's Office (CIO) is a newly established function within the Railway Safety Directorate (RSD). The CIO provides governance, planning, performance, risk, assurance and strategic support to help the directorate deliver its objectives effectively and consistently.

The Risk & Assurance Lead will help establish a consistent and effective approach to risk, assurance, compliance and performance reporting across the Railway Safety Directorate. Working closely with colleagues across the directorate, the postholder will develop the processes, reporting arrangements and practical tools that help managers understand key risks, monitor performance and provide confidence that important obligations are being met.

By improving visibility of risks, assurance activities and organisational performance, the role will help ensure that resources are focused on the right priorities and that emerging issues are identified early. This will support the Railway Safety Directorate in deliv

ering its objectives effectively and contribute to ORR's wider mission of helping keep Britain's railways safe for passengers, workers and the public.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Job Information Pack for further details.

Find out what our colleagues have to say about their ORR careers at Our people | Office of Rail and Road (orr.gov.uk).