At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk management strategies and enhance organisational resilience through data-driven insights.
- Company: Join NCFE, a leader in education with a commitment to inclusivity and continuous improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a health cash plan.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth and a vibrant culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on learning and culture while influencing senior leadership decisions.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in risk management are essential.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 34000 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid (Head Office: Quorum Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne)
This is a hybrid working role, so you’ll need to be able to work from our Head Office 2 days per week.
Hours per week: 37
Salary: Up to £34,000 depending on experience
About the role
We’re excited to be looking for a Risk and Assurance Lead to join our Audit, Risk and Assurance team to support and maintain our organisation-wide risk and assurance framework, ensuring resilience, compliance, and continuous improvement across NCFE. Our Audit, Risk and Assurance team plays a critical role in safeguarding the organisation by embedding robust risk management practices, driving assurance activity, and supporting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. This role will give you exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making, allowing you to influence how risk, assurance, and resilience are embedded across the organisation. You’ll play a key role in shaping culture, improving data-driven insights, and strengthening organisational performance through proactive risk management.
How you'll make an impact:
- Lead the development and delivery of NCFE’s assurance framework, identifying risks, strengthening controls, and improving operational resilience.
- Implement and embed risk management strategies, policies, and training to foster a strong risk-aware culture across the organisation.
- Analyse and present risk and assurance data, producing clear, actionable reports for senior stakeholders.
- Support business continuity and incident response planning, including testing and ongoing resilience activities.
We'd love to hear from you if you offer the following:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and provide clear insights.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Experience or knowledge of risk management, assurance frameworks, and control environments.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, think strategically, and make informed decisions.
- A collaborative, proactive approach with strong leadership and facilitation skills.
What will we offer you in return?
- Annual leave starting at 25 days and increasing up to 30 days with length of service.
- 8 bank holidays and an additional 3 days off during the Christmas closure.
- YOU celebration day to celebrate your birthday or another life event.
- YOU hour allowing you one hour per month to spend time on something that promotes your wellbeing.
- Learning and Wellbeing fund of up to £200 per year.
- £400 towards any NCFE accredited qualifications per year.
- Up to 20 Volunteering hours per year.
- Flexible working culture with a hybrid working approach.
- Early finish on a Friday at 4:30pm to start your weekend early.
- Health cash plan through Westfield to claim towards health costs such as dental and optical.
- Tech and Home scheme with savings at Currys and IKEA.
- Employee Assistance Programme with a confidential helpline and access to face to face and telephone counselling.
- Pension of up to 9% employer contribution when you contribute 3%.
- Death in service payment worth 4 x your salary.
In addition to our benefits package, our Colleague Experience Charter sets out the unique experience you can expect when working at NCFE, to enable a thriving, engaged culture.
Shape real change with an NCFE career
Imagine a career where your contributions affect not only what people learn, but the way that learning is developed and delivered. With over 170 years of education experience our core purpose remains at the heart of the organisation – to promote and advance learning to create a fairer, more inclusive society, making sure no learner is left behind.
Want to know more? Take a look at our website https://www.ncfe.org.uk/
How to apply
Before applying, please note that we require all candidates to be able to demonstrate proof of Right to Work in the UK. Ready to join us and shape real change? Apply with your CV if you have the commitment to excel in this position.
Closing Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026
Interview Date: w/c 29 June 2026
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) statement
We're committed to building rich diversity into our workforce at all levels, to ensure that we understand and are representative of the communities and customers we serve. We do not discriminate against anyone due to their gender, sexuality, race, age, religion, beliefs, identity, social background, visible or hidden disability, or neurodiversity. Instead, we pride ourselves on our collaborative, vibrant and high-performance culture which embraces everyone, celebrates uniqueness, and enables everyone's voice to be heard.
Risk and Assurance Lead employer: NCFE
At NCFE, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits such as up to 30 days of annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to professional development through funding for qualifications. Located in the vibrant Quorum Business Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, our hybrid working model allows you to balance your professional and personal life while contributing to meaningful change in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Risk and Assurance Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their risk management strategies and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and not just another candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to risk and assurance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Risk and Assurance Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Risk and Assurance Lead role. Highlight your analytical skills and any relevant experience in risk management or assurance frameworks to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decision-making or improved processes in previous roles.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent communication is key for this position, make sure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically to demonstrate your ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at NCFE
✨Know Your Risk Management Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of risk management frameworks and assurance practices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, as this will show your understanding and capability to lead the development of NCFE’s assurance framework.
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical prowess by bringing examples of how you've interpreted complex data in the past. Think about specific situations where your insights led to improved decision-making or operational resilience, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since excellent communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider how you can influence stakeholders at all levels and be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully engaged with senior leadership in the past.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities. Think through potential risks and how you would manage them, as well as how you would support business continuity and incident response planning. This will showcase your proactive approach and leadership skills.
