At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Risk and Resilience Team, ensuring effective risk management and business continuity.
- Company: Join the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, a key player in public safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational resilience and governance in a high-profile role.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and experience in risk management and business continuity.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 31st August 2026
Location
Southampton (This role is suitable for hybrid working)
Salary
£57,515 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Head of Risk and Resilience to lead our organisational approach to risk, corporate resilience and business continuity.
This high-profile role sits within Corporate Services and is central to providing effective assurance to the Chief Executive, Executive Committee and Board.
You will lead a small team, work closely with senior stakeholders across the Agency and the Department for Transport, and help embed a strong culture of governance, resilience and continuous improvement across the MCA.
The MCA’s Risk and Resilience Team are responsible for the organisation’s risk and business continuity management, ensuring that the organisation is compliant with government guidance, maintaining policies and procedures and overseeing training.
- Top Responsibilities
- Providing effective leadership to the Risk and Resilience Team, building capability and supporting a high-performing culture.
- Leading and developing the Agency’s approach to risk management in line with government guidance, including HM Treasury’s Orange Book.
- Overseeing the Corporate Risk Register and produce accurate, timely risk reports for key governance meetings.
- Developing, maintaining and testing business continuity policies, plans and procedures to support organisational resilience.
- Ensuring risk and business continuity reporting supports effective oversight by the Executive Committee, Board and relevant committees.
- Leading engagement with the Department for Transport on risk and business continuity matters, including escalation where required.
For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About You
- To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Be a credible and authentic leader, with the ability to articulate a vision, and engage people to deliver results.
- Cross organisational leadership, able to successfully implement and embed policies and processes
- Operating robust Risk Management across organisations with knowledge of government risk practices (ideally HM Government Orange Book)
- Organisational Business Continuity management with knowledge of government business continuity guidance and best practices (such as ISO 23110)
- Providing effective advice on risk and business continuity issues, and applying public sector guidelines and rules
- Developing and implementing risk and business continuity management and reporting frameworks suitable for providing oversight at Board and executive level
- Highly developed interpersonal, communication and influencing skills with a demonstrable ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders up to a senior level.
- Excellent organisational and management skills with the ability to work proactively and at pace to deliver against multiple priorities.
- Experience of handling sensitive information with tact and maintaining confidentiality.
- This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 31st August 2026
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Head of Risk and Resilience employer: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Southampton where innovation meets public service. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to compliance and excellence, you will find meaningful opportunities to grow your career while making a significant impact on national safety and security.
Contact Details:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Risk and Resilience
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Maritime and Coastguard Agency looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Risk and Resilience
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maritime and Coastguard Agency
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
