Director of Safeguarding, Assurance, Risk and Standards

Shaw Trust promotes team spirit, inclusiveness and it is an organisation where everybody is somebody. At Shaw Trust we believe everyone has the right to live a decent and dignified life and an opportunity for rewarding work. We are a social purpose organisation challenging inequality and breaking down barriers to enable social mobility. For us being part of the solution is about creating the conditions for this to happen, advocating and delivering services that make a real difference. Working in partnership not competition, we are part of an eco-system of purpose-led organisations, striving for a fairer, more equal society centred on opportunity for all.

Purpose

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to join Shaw Trust as Director of Safeguarding, Assurance, Risks and Standards. This is a pivotal role within our organisation, responsible for shaping and embedding strategies that ensure operational excellence, robust risk management, and the highest standards of safeguarding and compliance across the Shaw Trust Group. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will lead a multi-functional directorate delivering 2nd Line of Defence activities. You will work closely with chief officers, managing directors and directors to implement improvement strategies, embed best practice, and drive strategic thinking throughout the organisation.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic leadership for Safeguarding, Assurance, Risks and Standards, ensuring alignment with Shaw Trust’s mission and values.
• Develop and embed systems for risk management and business resilience at operational and strategic levels.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
• Oversee safeguarding policies and practices, ensuring they meet legal requirements and best practice standards.
• Ensure quality and compliance frameworks are robust, preventing contractual clawback and maintaining governance integrity.
• Lead on Health & Safety, Information Security and Data Protection strategies, ensuring risks are minimised and standards upheld.
• Build and maintain clear governance structures and processes in collaboration with operational teams.
• Inspire and develop your team, fostering a positive culture and maximising performance.
• Deliver a highly effective service that meets budgetary and efficiency targets while providing an exceptional experience for internal and external stakeholders.

About You

• Proven experience in risk management, safeguarding, compliance, and assurance at a senior level.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels.
• A track record of driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of relevant legal frameworks and best practice in safeguarding, health and safety, information security and data protection.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.

Location

You will be home based.

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays), with incremental increases post 3 years’ service up to 28 days, and the option to purchase additional holiday.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave each year.
• An enhanced pension scheme after 6 months.
• Life Assurance at 3 times your annual salary rate.
• Access to a suite of learning and development opportunities including paid for apprenticeship and masters’ level qualifications, and management development programmes.
• Opportunities to connect with our employee diversity networks (LGBTQ+ Support Network, Racial Equality Network, Disability Equality Network, Neurodiversity Peer Support Network, Women’s Network, MANaging Network, Menopause Network Group).
• Health and Wellbeing initiatives including internal support, employee assistance programme and health cash plan.
• Opportunity to request flexible working from day one.

Our Strategy

To find out more about Shaw Trusts aims in our 2030 Strategic Directive available here: Vision-2030-Strategic-Directive-5-9.pdf

Join a diverse and inclusive organisation

Shaw Trust is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment, where every employee, regardless of their background or lived experience, feels that they belong and can progress in their career. We are proud to be certified as an employer who meets the National Equality Standard, the accepted standard for inclusiveness in business across the UK. We are Disability Confident Leaders, support the guaranteed interview scheme and use of the government’s Access to Work scheme. Living our values, we are keen to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within our organisation.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community including from people with lived experience and/or knowledge of disability or social exclusion. If you have accessibility requirements and/or would like further information about the role, please contact: Resourcing@shaw-trust.org.uk

Shaw Trust reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.