Group Senior Risk Manager

Wates Smartspace; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Group is seeking a proactive Senior Risk Manager to shape an enterprise risk framework and lead assurance culture across the group. You will work with Group leadership, divisional stakeholders and the Risk Committee to embed best-in-class risk management practices and drive digital transformation of risk processes.

The role demands extensive ERM experience in complex environments, ideally construction/infrastructure, with a degree in business/economics/finance and professional risk

Qualifications

• Significant enterprise risk management experience within a complex organisation.
• Ideally experience in construction/infrastructure or major projects.
• Professional risk certification (e.g., IRM) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Shape the enterprise risk management framework with the Group Head of Assurance and Risk Committee.
• Coordinate Group-wide risk reporting and create analytical dashboards for key themes and mitigation activity.
• Guide risk owners in identifying, scoring, and mitigating risks across the organisation.
• Support the Risk Committee through high-quality reporting and governance papers.
• Identify opportunities to enhance risk processes through digitalisation and new software solutions.
• Engage with Group and Divisions to embed a strong risk culture and assurance practices.

Skills

Enterprise risk management

Stakeholder communication

Risk reporting

Analytical skills

Education

Business, Economics or Finance degree

Job description

Wates Group is developing its risk management processes and methodologies, and we're looking for a proactive, strategic, and experienced Senior Risk Manager to play a key role in shaping our approach. If you're passionate about enterprise risk management and ready to lead the development of a holistic risk framework and, furthermore, help drive a robust assurance culture across the Group, we would love to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a high-profile opportunity to influence risk strategy across Wates Group, working closely with senior Group leadership, divisional stakeholders and the Risk Committee to embed best-in-class risk management practices. You will play a pivotal role in shaping risk culture, digital transformation, assurance activities and governance in a forward-thinking environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Shape the Risk Framework – Work with the Group Head of Assurance and the Risk Committee members to develop a robust, enterprise-wide risk management framework, including risk assessment methodologies, risk appetite and principal risk review processes.
• Drive Risk Reporting – Coordinate Group-wide risk reporting (including divisional, functional and project/site level) and create analytical dashboards, providing insight into key risk themes, emerging risks and mitigation activity.
• Lead Risk Assessments – Guide risk owners in identifying, scoring, managing, and mitigating risks across the organisation.
• Support the Risk Committee through high-quality reporting (also feeding into the Audit Committee), committee management and analytical papers.
• Enhance Digital Capabilities – Identify opportunities to improve risk and assurance processes through digitalisation and software solutions.
• Engage with Stakeholders – Work across Group and its Divisions to embed a strong risk culture and assurance practices.

What We're Looking For:

Expertise: Significant enterprise risk management experience within a complex organisation, ideally in construction/infrastructure, major projects, or a related field; a firm grasp of risk management tools and platforms would be desirable.

Qualifications: Degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or a relevant discipline; professional risk certification (e.g., IRM) desirable.

Skills: Strong commercial awareness, analytical, detail-oriented mindset, and ability to simplify complex risk concepts for a wider audience. Experience presenting risk insights to senior stakeholders and governance forums would be advantageous.

Mindset: A proactive, self-motivated individual who challenges the status quo, influences work practices and drives continuous improvement.

Our commitments:

Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.

We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at [e-mail]