Senior Risk & Assurance Manager in Crewe

Main area Risk Management; Corporate Governance Grade Agenda for Change, 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (3 days office based, 2 days work from home) Job ref 412-CORP-8407911

Site Leighton Hospital Town Crewe Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 29/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 09/12/2026

Job overview

We are seeking a highly experienced risk and assurance professional to become the Trust's lead specialist and principal adviser on risk management and Board assurance arrangements. This is a senior, influential role at the centre of corporate governance, supporting Executive Directors, senior leaders and Board Committees to understand and manage the risks that could affect delivery of the Trust's strategic objectives.

Operating with considerable autonomy, you will combine expert technical knowledge with credible challenge, clear analysis and strong relationships. You will help strengthen organisational resilience, support effective decision-making and embed a positive risk management culture across the Trust.

About you

You will be an established senior risk, assurance or governance professional who can work confidently as a recognised subject matter expert in a complex, regulated environment. You will bring sound judgement, intellectual curiosity and the professional confidence to challenge senior leaders constructively.

Main duties of the job

What you will lead

• Operational management, development and quality assurance of the Board Assurance Framework, including the annual review and refresh of strategic risks.
• The Trust's operational risk management arrangements, including consistent application of policies, methodologies and standards.
• High-quality risk and assurance reporting for the Board, Audit Committee, Board Committees and Executive and Senior Leadership Risk Assurance Group.
• Identification of emerging risks, assurance gaps, control weaknesses and cross-organisational themes, with advice on mitigation and escalation.
• The Internal Audit recommendations tracker process using 4Action, and management and development of the 4risk system.

The impact you will make

• Create a clear line of sight between strategic objectives, risks, controls, assurance and performance outcomes.
• Provide expert scrutiny and constructive challenge on risk assessments, controls, assurances and risk ratings.
• Enable the Board and senior leaders to assess organisational resilience and make well-informed, risk-based decisions.

Working for our organisation

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.

Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area’s largest employers.

Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.

As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we’re reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.

At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See attached Job description & Person Specification for full details.

Essential experience and expertise

• Master's degree or equivalent level of experience in governance, risk management, assurance, audit or a related discipline.
• Significant senior-level experience of risk management, assurance and governance within the NHS or a similarly complex regulated environment.
• Experience of leading and developing Board Assurance Frameworks and advising Executive Directors and Board Committees.
• A strong record of influencing senior stakeholders, providing constructive challenge and presenting complex information to Boards and senior leadership teams.
• Highly developed analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex or ambiguous information and make sound judgements.
• Excellent Board-level report writing, facilitation, negotiation and influencing skills.

Professional background

A relevant professional qualification, or progress towards one, would be welcomed. Examples include the Institute of Risk Management, the Chartered Governance Institute, an internal audit qualification, or a project or programme assurance qualification. A broad understanding of the NHS is desirable.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent level of experience in governance, risk management, assurance, audit or related discipline.
• Relevant professional qualification (or working towards) such as: IRM (Institute of Risk Management)/ Chartered Governance Institute/ Internal Audit qualification or a Project or programme assurance qualification.

Experience

• Significant senior-level experience of risk management, assurance and governance within the NHS or similarly complex regulated environment.
• Experience of leading and developing Board Assurance Frameworks.
• Experience of advising Executive Directors and Board Committee.
• Experience of influencing senior stakeholders and providing constructive challenge.
• Experience of presenting complex risk and assurance information to Boards and senior leadership teams.
• Experience of leading organisational improvement programmes.

Skills

• Ability to operate autonomously as a recognised subject matter expert.
• Highly developed analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to challenge senior leaders constructively and professionally.
• Ability to interpret complex and ambiguous information and make sound judgements.
• Strong facilitation, negotiation and influencing skills.

Key Messages

We are a forces-friendly employers.

Candidates should ensure that all submissions and interactions reflect the candidate’s own skills, experience, and understanding. Any use of AI that compromises the integrity, fairness, or authenticity of the recruitment process may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of offer, or dismissal if this these circumstances come to light post hire.

Candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK are strongly advised to check the Government website for up-to-date information about whether the role they are applying for (incl. offered salary) is eligible.

Please let us know if you require an adjustment to our recruitment process and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.

We actively promote flexible working so please discuss any requirements you may have with us.

Secondments will be considered for fixed term positions when both parties agree. Candidates should seek approval from their current line manager before application.

• All correspondence will be sent via the email address you have registered as your TRAC account. Selection is based on the Trust's values, and the criteria outlined in the Job Description for the role.
• Appointments are subject to a 6-month probationary period. LED Doctors are subject to a 3-month probationary period.
• You are required to pay for a DBS disclosure where the post requires one, and we encourage applicants to join and remain registered with the DBS update service.
• We do not reimburse travel to interview expenses.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Name Caroline Keating Job title Director of Corporate Affairs Email address caroline.keating@mcht.nhs.uk Telephone number 01270 612453 Additional information

Banding subject to AfC panel confirmation