Head of 1st line Technology Risk & Assurance

Location: Bristol / Norwich / York

Head of 1st line Technology Risk & Assurance
Salary circa £120,000

This is a great job for someone who has significant 1st line risk, controls or assurance experience and is looking for a high-profile leadership role at the heart of Aviva’s technology function. This opportunity would suit someone who enjoys influencing senior stakeholders, leading teams of specialists and driving a strong risk and control culture across a complex organisation. You'll be passionate about technology risk management, governance and assurance, with the ability to balance robust oversight with enabling business objectives and change delivery. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy shaping strategy while delivering tangible improvements to risk and control effectiveness, we would love to hear from you.

A bit about the job

As Head of 1st Line Technology Risk & Assurance, you will lead Aviva’s global technology risk, controls and assurance agenda, helping to ensure we protect our customers, shareholders and business operations. Working closely with the CIO Executive, Group Risk and senior stakeholders across Aviva, you will set the strategic direction for risk management, data governance, third-party oversight and control assurance across the technology function. You will be accountable for providing independent first-line assurance over the technology control environment, driving a strong risk culture, and delivering insight that supports informed decision-making and regulatory compliance. Leading a team of specialists, you will play a critical role in strengthening control effectiveness, managing emerging risks and enabling the safe delivery of technology change.

Skills and experience we’re looking for

• Deep understanding of the IT, Cyber, and Data risk and control environment.
• Experience in controls testing, risk and controls framework, risk assessments, risk reporting with experience in the introduction of Artificial Intelligence and automation in controls testing.
• Oversight of suppliers in a regulated environment.
• Strong leadership and ability to influence up to C-suite level senior stakeholders with an insight-driven approach to deliver continuous improvement.
• Strategic thinking and forward focus with excellent communication and planning skills.

What you’ll get for this role

• Salary circa £120,000 (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)
• Bonus opportunity – 25% of annual salary. Actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s.
• Generous pension scheme – Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in.
• 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
• Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme
• Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
• Supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave
• Make a difference, be part of our community and use your paid volunteering days to help others
• We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools

Aviva is for everyone

We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares.

We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending around 50% of their time in our offices every week, combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.

We interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Once you’ve applied, please send us an email stating that you have a disclosed disability, and we’ll interview you.