Group Risk and Assurance Manager

Do you want to be part of a community and grow a career? At Southern Co-op we work hard because we want to do well and the more successful we are the more we can give back to our members and communities - that’s the beauty of a co-operative.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Group Risk & Assurance Manager to join our team. Designing, implementing and delivering the the health and safety, risk and compliance strategies across all business areas, you will maximise opportunities and minimiserisks to the business, our colleagues and customers, and our reputation. By facilitating an environment that is safe, legal and aligned to the organisations purpose you will support Southern Co-op's business plan and objectives.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**

Develop and ensure the implementation of a robust and effective enterprise risk management framework which sees risks being regularly identified at project/programme, department, business area and strategic levels, aligning with the business planning processes.
- Work collaboratively with operational and functional leads to ensure that risks are identified and recorded and that mitigating strategies and actions are recorded, and monitored to ensure full completion in a timely manner.
- Develop the Southern Co-op’s health and safety management strategy, policies and compliance programmes, seeking Board approval as appropriate.
- As Southern Co-op’s competent person, provide in-house technical expertise and act as a point of reference and consultation on all enterprise risk matters, including health and safety.
- To oversee the development and maintenance of a register of legislation and regulations, working with central support and business operational teams to ensure that health and safety, environmental, regulated operations and other compliance programmes arefully embedded within our operational activities.
- To oversee the completion of internal audit reviews, and the specific compliance monitoring programme related to Southern Co-operative Funeral’s activities under FCA regulations
- To be responsible for the development, maintenance and testing of business continuity plans, to limit risks and proactively prepare for foreseeable events.
- To oversee and be responsible for the provision of support, guidance, education and training to colleagues to positively build awareness of health and safety and other areas of risk and compliance across the organisation and to engender a culture of ownershipas appropriate at each level of the business.
- To engage with key stakeholders at all levels of the business, to fully understand business programmes, priorities and requirements.
- To track future legislation and regulations and support the business in preparing for and putting in place appropriate processes to ensure compliance undertaking appropriate horizon scanning.
- To identify system needs related to risk management and be responsible for their implementation and management, developing and embed their use throughout the business.
- To oversee the management of all licensing requirements, including alcohol licensing, for Southern Co-op and work with central support, legal and operational teams to ensure licence conditions are met.
- To own and manage the annual H&S/Risk, Compliance Monitoring and Insurance budgets, undertaking forecasts as required, and be responsible for the purchase of the Society’s insurance policies, ensuring that appropriate risks are covered, and recommendingadditional cover as and when required.
- To manage relationships with Primary Authorities, Local Authorities, Licensing Authorities, enforcement officials and external consultants and specialists, forming an effective bridge between such third parties and the core business.
- To lead, motivate, and performance manage the Risk team to support the full potential of each individual.
- To develop a series of targets and KPIs to effectively monitor progress against, securing buy-in from business and overseeing the timely and robust production of agreed performance reports for appropriate audiences
- To establish an external network of peers that will broaden understanding, identify opportunities to work with, or learn from others. To represent the Society externally at relevant trade, professional and federal meetings.

**KEY EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS**
- Experienced risk and health & safety professional, ideally with Chartered professional registration.
- Graduate calibre with relevant technical qualifications in enterprise risk management and health and safety e.g. Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, Management of Risk Practitioner.
- Experience in a regulated environment would be beneficial, as would experience operating in a multi-site retail business.
- Proven experience in implementing and managing an effective risk and health & safety programmes and compliance monitoring that is efficient, effective and positively adopted by the end users.
- Commercial awareness and ability to understand broad business issues
- Excellent problem solving skills, with practical and pragmatic approach to solutions.
- Excellent communication skills together with the confidence and gravitas to interface with a diverse range of individuals.
- Collegiate and diplomatic in approach to working with operational teams at all levels
- Strong project management skills
- Analytical skills and a good eye for detail
- Experience of leading and developing high performing teams.

If you’re passionate about Risk & Assurance, and have a background in a fast-paced environment then we would love to hear from you. In return, we will offer a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to develop your skills andgrow your career.