Site County Hall Town Norwich Salary £79,504 - £91,609 gross per annum/pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 04/06/2026 23:59
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams. We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience
Job overview Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is looking to recruit a Head of Risk to join the Corporate Affairs Directorate. You will be a senior leader with strategic responsibility for delivering and embedding improvement in risk management and assurance across the organisation.
The post holder will lead the development, implementation and ongoing oversight of the Trust’s Risk Management Strategy and policy framework, ensuring alignment with best practice, and will play a pivotal role in providing assurance to the Board and Executive Team that risks are effectively identified, managed and monitored. Working closely with clinical, corporate and system partners, the role will support the integration of risk management within service development, transformation programmes and organisational planning, ensuring a clear “floor to Board” approach to risk escalation and decision‑making.
The post holder will lead the Trust’s risk management team, drive continuous improvement in risk maturity, and foster a positive, risk‑aware culture across all levels of the organisation to support the delivery of high-quality, safe and patient‑centred services. The post holder will develop relationships with system partners and act as the strategic lead for the Trust’s risk management arrangements.
Main duties of the job Lead the development, implementation and ongoing review of the Trust’s risk management framework, ensuring a robust “floor to Board” approach to risk escalation and embedding a positive, continuous improvement culture where risk management is owned at all levels.
Provide advice and guidance to Executive Directors, senior leaders and staff across the Trust, supporting effective risk management in operational and strategic decision‑making. Ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and external requirements.
Oversee the collection, analysis and presentation of complex risk information, ensuring high-quality, timely reporting that enables effective decision‑making and provides clear insight into risk trends, emerging issues and organisational performance.
Act as the operational lead for the Trust Board Assurance Framework, working with Executive Directors to identify and monitor strategic risks and provide clear, high‑quality reporting and assurance to the Board and its committees.
Lead the development and delivery of Trust‑wide risk management training programmes, building capability and supporting staff at all levels to understand their responsibilities and effectively manage risk within their areas of responsibility.
Lead and develop the Risk Management team, ensuring effective performance, clear objectives and a strong interface with clinical and corporate services, contributing to the achievement of the Trust’s strategic, quality and performance objectives.
Some of the benefits you can expect:
a comprehensive in house & external training programmes
career progression
starting annual leave of 27 days per annum increasing to 33 days pa based on length of service (plus paid bank holidays)
NHS discounts and many more.
Qualifications
Master qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience working at a senior level in specialist area.
Evidence of active continued professional development to support the delivery of a senior leadership role including experience in risk management and governance systems.
Certified Member of the Institute of Risk Management (IRM)
Professional level membership of the Institute of Operational Risk (IOR)
Experience
Demonstrate excellent planning and organisational skills and the professionalism to make adjustments if targets are not met.
10+ years’ experience in a risk management role with at least 5 years of leading a risk team
Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of governance and risk frameworks, particularly but not exclusively within the NHS.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES. Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post may be subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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