Strategic Risk Lead

This is a key leadership role responsible for delivering an effective, high-quality corporate risk management and business continuity service across the Council. As Strategic Risk Lead, you will drive a forward-thinking approach to risk management and business continuity, ensuring the organisation is resilient, agile and well-prepared for emerging challenges. Working across services, you will embed a strong culture of risk awareness, provide expert guidance, and support the implementation of risk management and business continuity strategies. You will also drive continuous improvement, ensuring frameworks, systems and approaches remain aligned with best practice and organisational needs.

If you are passionate about driving improvement, influencing change and strengthening organisational resilience, this is an exciting opportunity to take your career to the next level.

• Lead and maintain the Corporate Risk Register, providing clear insight, analysis and reporting to senior leaders and elected members to support effective decision-making.
• Develop, implement and continuously improve risk management and business continuity frameworks, ensuring alignment with best practice and organisational priorities.
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing expert guidance, training and support to stakeholders to embed effective risk management across all services.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement through projects, policy development and the promotion of a positive risk-aware culture.
• Review systems, partnerships and third-party arrangements to ensure robust risk controls, compliance and organisational resilience.

• Degree, professional qualification or equivalent experience in risk management or a related field, with a strong commitment to continuous professional development.
• Proven experience of managing corporate risk frameworks and influencing senior stakeholders within a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of risk management strategy, business continuity and relevant legislation, with the ability to apply this in a practical context.
• Excellent analytical, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to drive change and deliver improvement.
• IRM (Institute of Risk Management) qualification or working towards certification is highly desirable.

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact: A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing. We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions.

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are Proud, Ambitious, and Together, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham. We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10 years’ service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support
• Staff recognition and celebration events
• Peer support groups

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application. If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you’ve participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

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Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.