Head of Assurance in Warrington

An exciting opportunity has arisen to be part of the changing shape of NHS commissioning in Cheshire and Merseyside. Our current organisational structure supports effective working both locally and across Cheshire and Merseyside as we develop as an Integrated Care System. The population of Cheshire and Merseyside is diverse and growing and we are keen to see that diversity recognised within our own workforce. As an employer we seek to open opportunities for our staff to gain new skills, gain knowledge and develop careers in health and care. We welcome students, staff, people of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientation, physical abilities, backgrounds, and philosophies and those who are accepting of others. Our goal is to support all of our workforce in their work; if you believe you can bring your skills and experiences and an open‑minded approach into our fast‑paced and dynamic organisation, we are committed to providing a positive and supportive experience for all of our staff.

The Head of Assurance is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the Integrated Care Board (ICB) operates to the highest standards of governance, integrity and transparency. The postholder provides strategic oversight of all corporate assurance functions and acts as a key advisor to the Board of Directors and Executive Team.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Corporate assurance PMO delivery linked to key corporate objectives, improvement plans and CRES
• Risk, Assurance, Audit & Regulatory Compliance
• System leadership, Partnership Governance & Team Management
• Corporate Governance, Board Support & Decision‑Making
• Advise the Chair, Chief Executive and Non‑Executive Members on assurance and delivery matters
• Ensure effective corporate records management and retention practices
• Own and maintain the corporate policy framework, ensuring standards and governance are embedded across decision making
• Oversee due diligence and assurance for major business cases, procurements and contractual decisions
• Operate a disciplined but pragmatic Assurance PMO for planning/performance initiatives (plans, RAID, milestones, change control)
• Ensure alignment between strategic objectives, risks, controls, assurances and mitigation
• Coordinate the assurance map across the three lines of defence
• Produce high‑quality assurance reports for the Board, Audit Committee and NHS England
• Track and drive delivery of actions arising from audits, reviews and investigations
• Support the executive lead for the Audit Committee, in delivery of an effective annual programme
• Liaise with internal and external audit providers and ensure implementation of recommendations
• Oversee compliance with legislation, Health and Care Act duties and NHS regulatory requirements
• Promote equality, inclusion, sustainability and other statutory duties within governance processes
• Champion Nolan Principles, Freedom to Speak Up and an open, learning governance culture
• Develop strong relationships across the Integrated Care System, ensuring aligned governance and shared accountability
• Support joint committees, Section 75 arrangements and collaborative decision‑making frameworks
• Promote consistent governance and assurance standards across system partners and arrangements
• Lead and develop a high‑performing Assurance team, with clear objectives, KPIs and professional development enabling a high performing team
• Manage budgets, resources and contracts (e.g., audit, legal, governance systems) to ensure value for money
• Set, monitor and improve service standards for risk and assurance functions
• Produce clear, insightful Board level reports on risk trends and assurance level reports
• Use data and insights to identify emerging risks, gaps in control and opportunities for improvement
• Provide professional expertise to outcomes of the business processes for the Department or Directorate
• Define current processes, facilitate discussions and advise colleagues on best practice for future processes, document those processes and oversee their delivery
• Budget holder for major area of activity
• Responsible for budget setting for several services
• Line manager for several/multiple departments or a major area of responsibility
• Responsible for the operation of one or more information systems for the department/service as a major job responsibility
• Regularly uses software to develop reports
• Formulate long‑term strategic plans, involving uncertainty, which may impact on the whole of the organisation
• Makes major contribution to corporate strategy and policy
• Responsible for policy implementation and development for a directorate or equivalent which impacts across the wider health economy
• Leads the development of policies and procedures for a major area of activity, ensuring compliance with corporate policies
• Undertakes surveys as necessary
• Works within general policies, needs to establish interpretation/required to interpret overall health service policy and strategy
• Lead manager for major area of activity
• Highly complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of a range of options
• Analyses a range of very complex situations which require deciding on the way forward where no precedent exists or options conflict
• Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information with barriers to understanding; present complex, sensitive or contentious information to large groups
• Provides and receives highly complex, sensitive or contentious information with significant barriers to acceptance and where there may be significant resistance to change

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties, which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with their manager. This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements, and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder. This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. It will be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder on an annual basis.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Educated to master's level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in corporate affairs, governance or assurance
• Extensive knowledge and expertise of corporate affairs, or assurance gained over a significant period
• Significant experience and understanding of proven implementation of project management methodologies

Skills

• Dynamic personality and the ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships and wide support networks in a political context
• Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium, and long‑term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of project and programme management techniques and tools such as Prince 2 or Managing Successful Projects

Equality and Diversity

• Will consider the most effective way to promote equality of opportunity and good working relationships in employment and service delivery and has the ability to take actions which support and promote this agenda

In the event of exceptionally high levels of response, we reserve the right to close the post before the date stated above in order to prevent the number of applications received being unmanageable. You are advised to submit your completed application form as soon as possible to have the best chance of being considered.