Head of Risk Assurance

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Risk Assurance to provide strategic leadership and oversight of our risk, assurance and insurance functions. This is a pivotal role, safeguarding our residents, assets and long‑term financial sustainability through proactive, forward‑looking and high‑quality risk management.

We have office locations in High Wybombe, Bucks and Letchworth, Hertfordshire, one of these will be your base location and you will be required to travel to the other site approximately every other week. The role is hybrid with at least two days per week in the office the other at home/remote.

Are you looking to join a growing, values‑led organisation with a clear social purpose? At Settle Paradigm, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 30,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising number of new affordable homes we build.

Through our merger we’ve brought together shared values, skills and ambition, so we can build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve. If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.

Acting as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team, Board and Audit & Risk Committee (ARC), you will drive the maturity of our risk culture, strengthen organisational resilience, and ensure our frameworks are embedded, effective and aligned to regulatory expectations and best practice. You will influence senior leaders across the business, shape strategic decision‑making and ensure risks and controls are well understood, well managed and transparently reported.

With responsibility for the Risk Assurance Officer, you will lead, develop and inspire a high‑performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Lead and continuously evolve an agile, fit‑for‑purpose risk management framework aligned with organisational objectives and risk appetite.
• Embed a confident and proactive risk culture through training, coaching and integrated decision‑making.
• Oversee the Controls Risk Self‑Assessment (CRSA) process, ensuring robust evaluation of internal controls.
• Produce clear, insightful and forward‑looking risk reporting for the Executive Team, Group Board, ARC and governance forums.
• Present high‑quality papers, provide expert advice and respond to queries with confidence and clarity.
• Maintain high‑quality risk registers and optimise use of risk management systems.
• Stay alert to emerging risks, regulatory changes and sector trends to ensure organisational resilience.

• Lead the relationship with outsourced internal auditors, ensuring high‑quality, value‑for‑money assurance.
• Recommend and maintain a risk‑based annual audit plan aligned to organisational priorities.
• Oversee tracking, reporting and closure of audit actions, ensuring timely and sustainable remediation.

• Lead the organisation’s insurance strategy, ensuring comprehensive and cost‑effective cover.
• Manage renewals, procurement and relationships with brokers, insurers and claims handlers.
• Monitor claims performance, analyse trends and drive improvements in risk mitigation and loss prevention.

• Own and strengthen the Business Continuity framework, ensuring plans are up to date and rigorously tested.
• Lead organisational learning following incidents and near‑misses, embedding improvements and strengthening resilience.

• Provide strong, values‑led leadership to the Risk Assurance team.
• Promote a culture of openness, innovation, accountability and high performance.
• Ensure compliance with policies, governance frameworks, financial regulations, health and safety and equality commitments.
• Lead relevant strategic projects and contribute to the wider vision and corporate objectives.

You are an influential and strategic risk leader with…