Senior Assurance and Compliance Manager

This is the Internal Only Recruitment Site for UK Research and Innovation Staff for roles within Innovate UK (UKRI). Please apply for jobs via this site only if you are employed by UK Research and Innovation. If you wish to apply for the position below, please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the recruitment process by submitting both a full CV and application letter. Ideally, you should also advise your manager of your application.

Applications must be submitted by 05-06-2026.

The Innovate UK Loans Assurance and Compliance Manager will report to the IUKL Deputy Director of Risk and Governance and lead in the creation and implementation of a comprehensive assurance programme for Innovate UK Loans.

Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements.

Context: The role holder will operate within the Innovate UK Loans Team which is part of the Innovation Finance Directorate. Innovate UK Loans Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is managed by Innovate UK (IUK), a council of UKRI, a non-departmental public body funded by Grant-in-Aid from the UK Government. As such, Innovate UK Loans Ltd is a non-regulated lender with its financial products outside the scope of the NCCP (National Consumer Protection Act); however, it seeks to achieve quasi FCA regulated standards.

We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role.

Job Purpose: The Innovate UK Loans Assurance and Compliance Manager will report to the IUKL Deputy Director of Risk and Governance and lead in the creation and implementation of a comprehensive assurance programme for Innovate UK Loans. The Compliance & Assurance Manager will work closely with colleagues across the Operational Governance, Risk, Funding Assurance and Information Governance teams and other corporate colleagues to support decision-making, ensuring that Innovate UK Loans operates best practice throughout its governance, accountability, risk management and integrated assurance arrangements.

You will liaise with internal audit on the planning of assurance activity and will support the UKRI Head of Governance and Management Assurance in establishing a positive and proactive culture to engaging with internal audit and completing and evidencing subsequent audit recommendations. This role may have line management responsibility, and a critical element of the role is to support the organisation to succeed, leading by example, and increase knowledge and collaboration in how we manage risk across the organisation, with our senior forums, Committees and Board.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Work with the IUKL Deputy Director of Risk and Governance to support the development of robust assurance arrangements for IUKL.
• Ensure the mechanisms, frameworks and policies meet both Shareholder (UKRI) requirements and FCA regulatory requirements.
• Lead the review and implementation of policies, standards and procedures for the general operation of the organisation in line with regulatory and government standards and best practice.
• Advise on compliance matters and manage the Compliance Monitoring Plan.
• Lead on the design and operation of an assurance framework and provide regular appropriate assurance support for the organisation to enable optimisation of risk taking to take advantages of opportunities and organisational constraints within delegated limits and risk appetite.
• Provide reporting to IUKL Board and the IUKL Audit and Risk Committee on Compliance Management Information and assurance plans.
• Monitor, analyse and communicate regulatory changes ensuring the business remains compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with UK Research and Innovation’s internal audit provider, the Government Internal Audit Agency.
• Provide support to the IUKL Audit and Risk Committee to ensure the relevant updates on audit recommendation progress are provided in a timely and informative manner.
• Monitor organisational compliance with regards to governance, assurance and risk policies and processes, fraud and the related management information reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Constructively challenge and advise senior stakeholders on all aspects of assurance across IUKL.
• Work closely with all teams and relevant business areas to support end to end audit and review activity in the context of risk exposure.
• Conduct internal reviews and provide constructive challenge on the effectiveness of controls.
• Maintain appropriate risk and assurance records in the corporate risk management system.
• Provide balanced professional support and challenge to all business areas at a variety of levels as appropriate.

This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: Risk Management (CIRM) Audit (MIAA or equivalent). Certified Internal Auditor, IIA or equivalent Assurance qualification. Qualification in AML and Financial crime (CISI or equivalent).
• Experience & Qualifications: Degree level or relevant equivalent experience. Good understanding and working knowledge of prevailing governance, risk and assurance standards and public-sector rules. Experience working with senior staff and being a trusted advisor. Experience of working with internal and/or external auditors. Experience in developing and implementing effective assurance strategies and frameworks in an organisation. Experience in provision of high quality written and verbal advice suitable for executive and senior level decision makers. Ability to deliver at pace and meeting changing priorities to time and to a high standard. Excellent interpersonal skills, able to influence and build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels. Insightful business awareness with the ability to understand and analyse changing business context and landscape to assess and manage risk, capitalise on emerging opportunities, make sound evidence-based judgements, promote the interests of UKRI and research and innovation. Ability to instil confidence within stakeholders at the most senior levels, acting as a trusted advisor. Enthusiastic, motivated, adaptable and proactive with the ability to work flexibly in a changing environment. A strong sense of personal resilience, accountability and ability to remain focused on the bigger picture. Experience of working in Financial Services and FCA regulations including SYSC, MIFID, SMCR, Conduct and AML rules.

Competencies: All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as: Thinking and Problem Solving, Stakeholder management, Communication skills, Influencing, Self-awareness/self-management, Strategic awareness, Working with others, Project management.

Travel Requirements: Swindon-based: There may be the occasional requirement for national travel.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met.

Employee Benefits: We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes.

Applications must be submitted by 05-06-2026.