Head of Risk in Cambridge

A new opportunity for an experienced and influential Head of Risk has arisen. The Head of Risk will lead the development and embedding of a mature, organisation-wide risk framework and culture across the Institute. This is a senior, high-impact role, working closely with the Board, Executive leadership and teams across the organisation to ensure risk is understood, managed and used intelligently to support strategic decision-making.

About the role:

As Head of Risk, you will be the Institute’s subject matter expert on risk management and governance. You will design, implement and continuously improve a comprehensive risk framework that aligns with our mission, objectives and risk appetite, while enabling appropriate and well-managed risk-taking in pursuit of opportunity. You will have visibility across both strategic and operational activities, a strong grasp of internal controls, and the credibility to challenge constructively at all levels. Working with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders, you will embed consistent, proportionate risk practices that inform everyday decisions and long-term planning.

What you’ll be doing:

• Establish, embed and champion a robust risk management framework and culture across the organisation
• Implement and reinforce the Three Lines of Defence model, clearly defining roles and responsibilities for risk management
• Lead the development and maintenance of a three-tier risk framework:
• Level 1 – Enterprise risks
• Level 2 – Functional risks
• Level 3 – Team / activity risks
• Own the preparation, challenge and presentation of the corporate risk register, ensuring alignment with the Board’s articulated risk appetite
• Advise and support the Board in defining and refining the Institute’s risk appetite
• Work closely with teams to identify, assess, mitigate and monitor operational risks
• Develop and deliver risk training and awareness, building confidence and capability across the organisation
• Maintain, test and enhance the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Major Incident Plan, ensuring effective linkages to departmental plans
• Provide oversight of insurance arrangements on campus, leading the annual renewal process in partnership with Wellcome Trust
• Support corporate governance activity, working closely with Legal and Finance colleagues
• Produce high-quality risk reporting, including:
• Quarterly reports to the Audit and Risk Committee
• Annual and ad-hoc reporting to the Board
• Build, lead and develop an inclusive, high-performing risk team, ensuring the right skills, capacity and professional development are in place

Application Process:

Please include a cover letter detailing how you meet the job requirements and essential skills described. Closing date: 20th January

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others. We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute. Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative in March 2018. The initiative aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.