Head of Assurance

Head of Assurance

**Location**:
Milton Keynes, GB

**Department Name**:
Capital Delivery Centre of Excellence

**About Network Rail**:
**About Network Rail**

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**About the function
**Following an extensive listening exercise, the Rail Investment Centre of Excellence (RICoE) launched a new organisation structure in December 2021 aligned to the needs of its customers across the business and wider industry. Fundamentally, the RICoE is a catalyst for change, supporting and accelerating continuous improvement of investment management across the devolved business whilst providing confidence in the business’ ability to meet its commitments in the most effective way.

The RICoE works with the Regions in a federated PMO. The federated PMO is more than just collaboration and working together it’s about fully integrating the role of the RICoE and Regions; at its heart it’s about shared learning, empowering those best placed to make the right decisions, and working together to improve the way we deliver successful outcomes for our funders, stakeholders, and all users of the railway network.

The RICoE has an important role to play in providing strong, clear industry leadership and to increase the advocacy for ongoing rail investment in a way that is effective and efficient.

**Brief Description**:
**A note from the hiring manager
**This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic team providing confidence across Network Rail’s capital investment portfolio. You’ll be working with senior leaders across the business, Department for Transport and our delivery partners.

**About the role (External)**:
**What does the average day look like?**

In this role you will develop and deliver Network Rail’s P3M Assurance strategy for Capital Delivery implementing plans to address non-compliance with standards, legislation, safety case or notices served by statutory authorities. You will lead the delivery of the 2nd line assurance activities to provide confidence to external stakeholders and Network Rail leadership of adherence to the governance framework/s. This includes leading on the collaboration with the DfT, TS, IPA and the ORR regarding the integrated assurance model to reduce duplication of assurance activity, enabling the appropriate sharing of intelligence, identifying and agreeing the resolution of common infrastructure delivery issues, increasing confidence in Network Rail’ delivery and reducing the risk to successful delivery of the infrastructure portfolio through shared industry working.

Day to day you will provide expert support and guidance to the Company regarding Project and Programme Assurance. As well as developing and maintaining Network Rail P3M assurance standards. You will be responsible for the continued management and improvement of the Network Rail Tender Assurance and Peer Review processes. Including leading on the consolidation, reporting and analysis of key performance data, non-compliance indicators identification of underlying causes impacting on project and programme delivery performance. You will also lead and facilitate the identification and transfer of good assurance practice throughout Capital Delivery, reducing cost and improving effectiveness. Also analysing Network Rail Assurance activities and determine systemic issues, establish Lessons Learnt, develop improvement plans and introduce effective tracking mechanisms.

**What essential skills and experiences are required?**
- Member of relevant professional body.
- Successful management of major programmes of work in the construction and/or rail industries.
- Able to demonstrate significant Compliance/Assurance experience in a large and complex multidisciplinary organisation.
- The ability to balance stakeholder expectations and perceptions against the needs and capabilities of the business
- Results orientation, with a passion for delivery
- Very good interpersonal skills and the ability to use influence to gain buy in complex political environments combined with an ability to develop strong working relationships

**We would also like, but not essential.**
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Quality
- Experience of working across business functions to deliver £multi-million business benefits
- Experience of managing people in a change resistant and complex business environment
- Good knowledge of management systems
- Good knowledge of railway operational and contractual practices
- Lead auditor qualified

**Key Vacancy Information**

**Duration**:Permanent

**Location**: This role is based at The Quadrant:MK. For roles based in the Quadrant:MK, you must live within 75/90 minutes of The Quadra