Head of Risk and Resilience

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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