Head of Assurance

Overview

This is a rare and exciting first line role, taking responsibility for the strategic delivery of our Assurance Framework (oversight controls) across The Openwork Partnership. The opportunity will give autonomy for shaping this, putting your own creative stamp on things and to continue the evolution of the framework across the business. As Head of Assurance, you will own the framework for the appropriate oversight of our Appointed Representatives (ARs). A data focused individual, you should be adept at leveraging and harnessing technology against a compliance backdrop. This is a permanent, hybrid role, based in our Swindon office, with the requirement to be in the office 2 days a week.

Benefits

• Salary – up to £85,000
• Car allowance – £5,486
• Bonus scheme – on target bonus – 17.5%
• Pension scheme – contribute up to 5% of your salary and Openwork will match you and put in an extra 5%
• Critical illness cover
• Income protection – 1x salary
• Death in service – 4x salary
• 27 days holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 10 days.
• A range of other flexible benefits to include private medical insurance, dental insurance and much more.

Responsibilities

• Leadership, management, and delivery of the assurance framework of first line controls for oversight of ARs.
• Implement and evolve an AR intelligence unit, bringing together inputs (internal MI and data as well as publicly available information) for a holistic view of ARs, and identification of trends to drive actionable insight.
• An effective assurance framework that uses data, metrics and leverages technology.
• Regulatory reporting as part of the oversight of ARs, including the annual AR Self-Assessment.
• Develop and deliver continuous improvement initiatives to ensure assurance standards are aligned to.
• Contribute to key change initiatives to support the corporate strategy.

Key Accountabilities

• Clearly documented suite of governance documents for the assurance framework.
• Establish and maintain effective fraud investigation controls, including lender alerts, PEP and sanction screening, data protection.
• Stakeholder management to enable effective evolution of the assurance model.
• Manage annual budget of c. £2-5m.
• Represents and presents at key governance groups across the organisation.
• Effective management of assurance metrics in line with risk appetite.

What will you need to succeed?

• Financial services experience is essential.
• An appreciation of the conduct risks relevant to an appointed representative network.
• An understanding of the regulatory requirements and expectations for the oversight of ARs.
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills.
• Mindset that puts the Customer at the heart of everything.
• To be able to write impactful reports and papers suitable for Executive and board.
• Proven ability to engage at all levels, creating buy in and developing a collaborative way of working
• Demonstrable effective leadership, with a focus on creating a high performing team with a growth mindset.
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills.
• Focus on delivering value with experience of overcoming obstacles to achieve the desired outcomes.
• Resilient, proactive, and thrive in a fast passed changing environment.
• Key influencer and achieves positive engagement at all levels advocating change.
• Self-starter looks for opportunities to drive continuous improvement to deliver improved quality.

Why us?

We\’re a dynamic, fast-paced and growing business with huge ambition. This is all made possible by the brilliant people who are part of The Openwork Partnership family. We\’re investing heavily in our colleagues, continuously striving to give them the platform to develop personally and professionally and reach their full potential.

We\’re also very proud of our culture, as one of the Best 100 Large Companies to work for in 2022. The Openwork Partnership values, and respects individuality and we are committed to building an inclusive culture and environment which truly recognises and celebrates our colleague\’s individual differences and identities – just like our financial advice, for us, it\’s personal. We believe everyone can make a difference and your race, religion, disability, and gender will never be a barrier. At Openwork, we have a strong ethic of care for each other where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will bring your best self to work if you are trusted to choose when, where and how you do it.

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