Head of CRO Strategy

Hybrid - 2-3 days at our Derby office, the rest working from home. Salary up to £75,000.

Do you excel at bringing clarity, focus and execution to senior leadership teams? Could you be the strategic operator who helps turn vision into delivery and keeps our Chief Risk Officer focused on what matters most? Mortgage Advice Bureau is seeking a Head of CRO Strategy to partner with our Chief Risk Officer and lead the strategic, governance and operational agenda of the Risk & Compliance function. This is a highly visible role with exposure to Executive Leadership, Board Committees and senior stakeholders across the organisation.

As a trusted partner, adviser and critical friend to the CRO, you'll help shape priorities, drive accountability and create the operating rhythm that enables the function to perform at its best. We're looking for an experienced operator who combines strong governance credentials with exceptional organisational leadership and stakeholder management skills. Whether your background has been built within financial services, consulting, governance, risk, business management, a COO Office environment or another regulated environment, you'll bring the credibility, commercial awareness and strategic thinking needed to influence at senior levels and drive meaningful outcomes.

This role sits at the intersection of strategy, governance and delivery. As MAB continues its growth journey, including plans to transition to the London Stock Exchange Main Market, we're investing in the leadership, governance and operational excellence needed to support the next phase of our evolution.

As Head of CRO Strategy, you'll act as a trusted partner to the Chief Risk Officer, leading the governance, coordination and execution framework of the Risk & Compliance function. You'll ensure the leadership team remains focused on the priorities that matter most, equipped with the insight needed to make informed decisions and accountable for delivering against agreed objectives. Bringing structure, challenge and pace, you'll play a central role in ensuring the function operates effectively and delivers meaningful outcomes for the business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as a strategic partner to the Chief Risk Officer, translating vision and priorities into actionable plans.
• Coordinating and aligning priorities across the Risk & Compliance leadership team.
• Driving accountability for key initiatives, ensuring actions and commitments are delivered effectively.
• Owning the operating rhythm of the function, including leadership meetings, planning cycles and governance activity.
• Leading the preparation of Board, Group Risk Committee and Executive Committee materials, ensuring reporting is clear, concise and insightful.
• Ensuring Board and committee readiness, including the coordination of papers, reporting and stakeholder input.
• Supporting horizon scanning activities, identifying emerging regulatory developments, business risks and strategic opportunities.
• Acting as a trusted sounding board and critical friend to the CRO and senior leaders across the function.
• Managing governance forums and enhancing governance processes to support effective decision-making.
• Developing and refining management information and reporting to provide meaningful insight and support Executive discussions.
• Managing financial planning and budgeting activities for the Risk & Compliance function.
• Building strong relationships across the business to support collaboration, alignment and delivery.

Why Join MAB?

At MAB, we've built our success by combining market-leading expertise with an ambitious, entrepreneurial culture where people are trusted to make a difference. As we continue to grow, we're investing in the leadership, governance and operational excellence that will support our future success. This role offers a rare opportunity to partner directly with a C-suite executive, helping shape priorities, influence decision-making and drive meaningful outcomes across a critical business function. You’ll join a collaborative and forward-thinking organisation where you’ll have genuine visibility, influence and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

About You

You’ll bring experience operating in a senior governance, strategy, operations, consulting, risk, business management, COO Office or Executive Office environment, or within another regulated industry, with the confidence and credibility to work closely with Executive stakeholders and leadership teams. Rather than being a traditional technical risk specialist, you’ll be a commercially minded leader who can quickly understand complex business and regulatory topics, navigate senior-level conversations and bring structure, momentum and focus to a high-performing function.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has supported senior executives, leadership teams, Boards or governance committees.
• Demonstrates strong governance, strategy and operational leadership capability.
• Has experience preparing high-quality Board, Executive Committee or governance reporting.
• Can coordinate complex priorities, stakeholders and workstreams while maintaining a strong focus on delivery.
• Is comfortable influencing, challenging and holding senior stakeholders accountable for actions and outcomes.
• Possesses strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly understand complex business and regulatory issues.
• Has excellent communication and stakeholder management skills and can build credibility at senior levels.
• Is highly organised, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Brings a proactive, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys operating at the centre of strategic decision-making.

Recruitment Process

1st stage: Teams Interview
2nd stage: Face to Face

What’s In It For You?

Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), 25 days annual leave (increasing to 28 with service) plus your birthday off, matched pension contribution (L&G), share save scheme (Equinity), retail discounts, free entertainment tickets, plus much more! Flexible working hours with hybrid working for Head Office roles (as agreed with your line manager). A wide range of Learning & Development offers, from 121 coaching to qualification support, helping you to grow and thrive in your career. A supportive, inclusive culture with forums you're welcome to join from day 1, using your voice to make MAB an even better place to work.

Everyone is Welcome

At MAB, we value different experiences and perspectives which adds diversity and value to our culture. As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, included and heard for who they are. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. We are committed to reducing barriers in every stage of our recruitment process so everyone feels they can bring their best self when applying for new opportunities at MAB. If you’d like to hear how we can support you by adjusting our process, from application to interview and onboarding, please contact careers@mab.org.uk.

Use of AI

We recognise that AI tools can be a helpful way to articulate your qualities, skills and experience when applying for roles. It’s important to us, however, that we see the real you throughout the recruitment process. We hire real people, not polished personas! We simply ask that you consider carefully how and where you use AI during your application, so we can hear your own thoughts and meet your authentic self.

Please note we are unable to consider candidates requiring visa sponsorship at this moment in time. We won't be accepting speculative CVs from recruitment agencies, with a full PSL in place.