Risk and Assurance Manager

James Stevens Associates are delighted to be working with a Social Housing organisation based in Buckinghamshire that are now looking to bolster their Governance department with a Risk & Assurance Management Professional on a 12 month fixed term contract.Overview:Role: Risk & Assurance ManagerHybrid (Buckinghamshire – minimum 2 days onsite)12-month Fixed Term Contract – Potential to move permanentlySalary: £54,77835-hour week with reduced Hours on Fridays: 1.00pm FinishWhy Work for them:Joining the organisation as a Risk & Assurance Manager means more than managing frameworks and compliance, it’s about making a tangible difference in people’s lives. As a community-based / charitable housing organisation, they are committed to building sustainable communities and working with tenants.Benefits Include but not limited to:Flexible & hybrid working options to balance work and personal prioritiesAd hoc flexibility: extended day, school run, life admin breaks, making up time later35-hour week pilot: Mon–Thu full days, Fri finish at 1pm26 days annual leave + 8 UK Bank Holidays, increasing with service up to 29 daysCarry forward up to 5 days leave; buy/sell up to 5 days annuallyPension: 3% employee + 8% employer; 4%+ employee = 10% employerStaff development via training and Video Arts platformSimplyhealth cashback: dental, eye care, GP visits, diagnostics, prescriptions, chiropody, hospitalisation, baby payment24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) via Health AssuredOccupational Health support for illness/injuryLife Assurance: 3x salary to nominated beneficiaryRole OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Risk & Assurance Manager to join the organisations Governance team, playing a pivotal role in strengthening organisational risk management and ensuring GDPR compliance. This role is approximately 70% Risk Management and 30% Data Protection, operating within the Three Lines of Defence model.The successful candidate will provide assurance to the Board, challenge senior leaders, and embed best practice across the organisation.Lead and enhance organisational risk management activities, including ownership of the Risk Management FrameworkOversee strategic risks, appetite and tolerance statements, and operational registersChallenge and validate existing risk mitigations and controls; verify that stated controls genuinely existConduct business assurance work, including risk mapping, testing, and embedding operational risk practicesPrepare and present reports to the Board, Audit & Risk Committees, and Senior Leadership TeamProvide evidence-based challenge on real vs perceived risksOversee GDPR compliance: advise on legislation, manage subject access requests, review practices, and deliver training programmesCollaborate with internal audit to bridge gaps between audit findings and risk reportingKeep abreast of regulatory and legislative changes, advising on impact and compliance ahead of changeReport on external benchmarking data (housing market analysis, sector risk profile, Ombudsman reports, legal updates) to inform policies and service deliveryAssist in delivering training and briefings on statutory and legislative issues to leadership and committeesDesign and implement a comprehensive Business Assurance FrameworkCandidate ProfileSignificant risk management experience is mandatoryGraduate calibre or relevant risk management qualificationStrong knowledge of GDPR legal and regulatory requirements, with proven compliance experiencePreferred: housing sector experience; transferable sector experience considered (well regulated sectors)Background in internal audit acceptableGravitas and confidence to challenge senior leaders and present at board levelResilient, with the ability to push back appropriatelyHighly organised, detail-oriented, and able to prioritise in a busy environmentConstructive communicator with strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach