Head of Operational Assurance Location: contract base in Salvus House, Durham with hybrid working opportunities.
Salary: £70,667 plus a discretionary bonus potential of up to 12% of annual salary.
Job level: B. Reporting to Director of Operations.
We support flexible, hybrid working with varying start and finish times where possible. Please discuss details with the hiring manager during the interview.
About Us Wave is a leading national business water retailer serving over 300,000 customers across the UK. We help businesses lower water use, increase efficiency and reduce costs, and we have received the Water Retailer of the Year award in 2021, 2023 and 2025. Our vision is to be the most customer‑focused utility, delivering value and efficiency while creating a positive impact on the environment and society.
The role in a nutshell The Head of Operational Assurance is a strategic, people‑led role responsible for strengthening operational performance, consistency and resilience across the organisation. The role translates complex performance, risk and insight into clear actions, scalable processes and sustainable improvements, leading large‑scale operational change, embedding controls, and driving continuous improvement through cross‑functional collaboration.
What will your typical day look like?
Ensure the organisation’s operations are performing safely, consistently and effectively, translating insight into meaningful improvement.
Provide oversight and insight into operational performance, risk, controls and emerging issues through data, assurance and listening to the business.
Lead governance, guiding conversations, challenging constructively and ensuring decisions align to risk appetite.
Embed better ways of working, strengthen controls and ensure assurance findings lead to lasting outcomes.
Influence and communicate across operations, risk, change and leadership to turn complexity into clarity and action.
Future‑proof operations by anticipating risks, pressures and impacts of change.
What do we need from you?
Senior operational leadership experience within complex, large‑scale environments.
Strong background in operational assurance, risk, controls or governance.
Ability to interpret data and assurance insight to identify systemic issues and priorities.
Proven capability to drive and embed sustainable operational change.
Confident influencer able to challenge and engage executives constructively.
Calm, resilient leader with strong judgement, integrity and an outcomes‑focused mindset.
What's in it for you? Wealth
Excellent pension scheme – double match up to 5% employee contribution and 10% from Wave.
Bonus potential.
Perkbox membership with a wide range of perks, including high street savings, discounted cinema tickets, travel and holiday discounts, and online fitness classes.
Income protection scheme.
Personal accident insurance.
Four‑times salary life assurance.
Free onsite parking.
Time off
24 days holiday rising to 26, plus bank holidays.
A day off for your birthday.
Half a day on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Option to buy holidays.
One day paid volunteering.
Wellbeing
Hybrid/flexible working.
Healthcare cashback and treatment scheme.
Cycle to work scheme.
Annual conference and Christmas party.
24/7 employee assistance programme.
Free flu shots.
Family friendly
Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
Enhanced shared parental and adoption leave.
We care about you as an employee and have a range of resources available to you and your family.
Equity and inclusion Wave is proud to be an inclusive employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. We will consider any adjustments or individual requirements at any stage of your recruitment journey. If you need additional support related to menopause, neurodiversity or any other reason, please let us know by contacting Recruitment@wave-utilities.co.uk.
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