Head Of Assurance

BDO LLP; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

BDO LLP is seeking a Head Of Assurance for a 6-month contract in Swindon with hybrid work. The role focuses on designing and delivering a robust, data-led Assurance Framework for first line AR oversight, ensuring FCA alignment and Consumer Duty while safeguarding customer outcomes.

The successful candidate will lead a data-driven, governance‑minded team, delivering timely regulatory insights, accountability culture, and scalability across the AR network.

Qualifications

• Must have proven experience in financial services and regulatory oversight.
• Strong FCA knowledge including AR oversight and Consumer Duty.
• Experience leading assurance, risk, compliance or oversight functions.
• Ability to leverage data, MI and technology to drive decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the Assurance Framework for first line AR oversight.
• Design a data-driven assurance approach using MI and analytics.
• Develop AR Intelligence capabilities with internal/external data.
• Deliver all regulatory AR oversight requirements, including AR Self-Assessment.
• Provide executive reporting to SMFs and support SMCR responsibilities.
• Maintain governance docs and ensure auditability.
• Drive improvement to enhance capability, quality and efficiency.
• Contribute to strategic regulatory priorities and governance forums.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team.

Skills

Financial services experience

FCA regulatory knowledge

AR oversight

Data analytics

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Job description

Head Of Assurance – 6 months contract - Swindon – Hybrid

Job description

We are recruiting for a Head Of Assurance to join our client, a financial advice firm. This contract opportunity, offering an excellent day rate, employed via an Umbrella company.

About the role:

To lead, design and deliver a robust, data‑led Assurance Framework across the firm, ensuring effective first line oversight of Appointed Representatives (ARs) in line with FCA expectations, Consumer Duty and the Group’s risk appetite.

The role will drive continuous evolution of assurance methodology, leveraging data, technology and insight to provide proactive identification of risk, protect customer outcomes and deliver regulatory confidence.

Key responsibilities include

• Own and lead the Assurance Framework for first line AR oversight, ensuring it is effective, scalable and aligned to regulatory requirements
• Design and implement a data-driven assurance approach, leveraging MI, analytics and technology to drive insight-led outcomes
• Establish and evolve an AR Intelligence capability, integrating internal data and external sources to identify trends, emerging risks and actionable insight
• Deliver all regulatory oversight requirements relating to ARs, including the annual AR Self‑Assessment
• Providing impactful reporting and insights to SMFs to drive active discussions in support of meeting their SMCR prescribed responsibilities.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive suite of governance documentation, ensuring clarity, consistency and auditability
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance assurance capability, quality and efficiency
• Contribute to strategic change initiatives aligned to broader corporate and regulatory priorities
• Act as a senior representative at governance forums, influencing decision making and risk direction
• Build and lead a high‑performing team with a strong delivery focus, growth mindset and accountability culture
• Ensure assurance outputs are aligned to risk appetite and support senior management oversight and decision‑making

About you:

Proven experience in financial services, ideally within an AR network or similar oversight model

Strong understanding of FCA regulatory expectations, including AR oversight and Consumer Duty

Demonstrated experience leading assurance, risk, compliance or oversight frameworks

Experience leveraging data, MI and technology to drive decision making and insight

Experience in regulatory reporting and governance environments

Proven experience managing budgets and leading teams

Operates at all times in accordance with FCA requirements, company policies and regulatory standards

Streamline processes, reduce handoffs or manual activity supported by automation, AI for operational efficiency

Maintains a strong focus on delivering good customer outcomes in line with Consumer Duty

Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate into practical delivery

Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at all levels

Highly analytical with strong data interpretation capability

Ability to produce high-quality executive and board-level papers

Leadership capability to build, motivate and develop high-performing teams

Strong communication and presentation skills

Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating in a fast‑paced environment

Proactive and outcome-focused, with a continuous improvement mindset

Ability to drive collaboration across complex organisational structures

Meets SMCR Certification requirements

Additional Information:

• Location: Swindon – Hybrid
• Duration: 6 months contract