First Line Risk & Governance Manager in Brighton

This role, embedded in the Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT) directorate, is pivotal in guiding DDaT’s first-line risk management during a period of significant digital transformation. It ensures management (as per the HM Treasury Orange Book) fulfils its primary responsibility for identifying, assessing and managing risks, particularly as DDaT leads the regulator to become digitally led and data driven.

The role holder will ensure risks are comprehensively identified, recorded, and controlled throughout their lifecycle, and that risk mitigations, assurance and audit actions are aligned and delivered on time to support transformation. They will provide oversight and insight into complex, cross-cutting digital, data, technology and cyber risks, helping DDaT’s leadership understand where key risks and opportunities lie across programmes and how change can be delivered safely.

By pulling together and aligning risk information across multiple initiatives (DDaT Portfolio, initiative, off portfolio delivery and BAU), they enable informed strategic decisions and maximise opportunities, supporting transformation that has a positive impact on the pensions industry and scheme members. The role demands deep knowledge of risk management principles and strong understanding of DDaT’s remit. The role holder must be highly skilled at integrating diverse risk, audit and assurance findings into a coherent view and using that insight to influence senior stakeholders, balancing risk with innovation to support delivery of major digital change.

The role holder will bring a holistic, end-to-end perspective across all DDaT activity, with the ability to identify and articulate material risks emerging from both delivery and business-as-usual operations. Drawing on practical experience, they will focus on real, actionable risks and apply a pragmatic, proportionate approach to risk management. This includes distinguishing material from theoretical risks, ensuring controls are right-sized, and identifying opportunities to improve outcomes and support innovation.

Experience: Proven experience in a digital, data, technology or cyber risk management role. Typically, 3–5+ years of first-line risk, controls, assurance or related experience in a dynamic, transformation-focused environment. Demonstrated ability to operate within risk control frameworks (RCSAs, audit/assurance processes) in regulated settings, aligning risk activities across multiple projects or functions.

Knowledge & Qualifications: Strong grounding in risk management principles and frameworks (e.g. HM Treasury Orange Book). Solid understanding of DDaT’s domains (digital services, data management, technology infrastructure, cyber resilience) and their interplay. Relevant degree or professional risk qualifications (IRM, etc.) are advantageous.

Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills – adept at interpreting complex data and emerging risk trends to derive strategic insight. Ability to integrate multi-source risk information and anticipate future risks/opportunities in a transformational context.

Communication and Influence: Excellent communication and senior stakeholder engagement skills – capable of distilling complex risk issues into clear advice for boards and executives and confidently influencing decision-making at the highest levels.

Leadership & Judgement: Strong judgement and pragmatic decision-making, with the ability to recommend efficient, innovative approaches to risk mitigation and steer the first line through complex transformations.

The team’s vision is to use digital, data, and technology to revolutionise pension regulation, making it more efficient, secure, transparent, and customer centred. We believe only our people can change things. In DDaT, we're customer obsessed, whether the customer is a saver, scheme provider, a user in one of our teams or one of our immediate colleagues. We focus on outcomes, are willing to experiment, collaborate and learn with our colleagues. We need brilliant people to help bring our ambitions to life.

TPR Offers: Genuine opportunities for learning and development. Hybrid working and flexible shift patterns. A vibrant workplace with employee networks (Disability, Family, LGBT+, Minority Ethnic, Mental Health, Women’s). We offer 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, a hybrid working model, 35 hour working week (full-time), flexible working patterns, and flexitime. We also provide competitive parental leave, as well as a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Our dedicated benefits portal (Edenred) offers retail, gym, tech and restaurant discounts, and a cycle to work scheme.

Our culture: TPR strives to be a high-performing organisation, and we prioritise our people's growth and well-being. We offer various learning, secondment and development opportunities, support flexible working, and foster a diverse and inclusive environment. Equality, diversity and inclusion is very important to us and we strive to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our modern Brighton offices are in Telecom House overlooking Preston Park, they are over two floors of a shared building facility and when designed in 2023 we followed the government’s workplace design guide to ensure accessibility by design was achieved for our section. We're proud to have a range of networks and opportunities to bring people together with supportive and safe spaces to connect with one another.

About The Pensions Regulator: With a career at TPR, you’ll be joining an organisation with real purpose and who are proud of their diverse range of skills and experience that positively impact on millions of people. Everyone at TPR plays an important role in helping to keep more than £2trn of savings safe. Our Corporate Strategy outlines a bold and challenging vision of how pensions regulation should continue to evolve to keep pace with a change in the scale and nature of the pensions landscape. We believe diversity and inclusion are vital to good decision-making for positive saver outcomes. We’re committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic work environment where everyone can thrive; understanding the link between the work we do and its positive impact on society.

Selection and interview: As a Disability Confident Employer, we’re committed to the recruitment, employment, retention, and development of people with disabilities, and to improving their employment opportunities. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview. Please note that if we receive a high volume of Disability Confident applicants, we reserve the right to offer an interview to those who best meet the essential criteria.

Diversity and inclusion: TPR is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equality in the workplace, creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to be themselves, enabling our people to feel supported, represented and do their best work. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply for roles with TPR. Please note that TPR is unable to offer visa sponsorship. All applicants must already hold Right to Work in the UK for the duration of their employment.