Head of Business Assurance - Engineering

Cedar Recruitment; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A top-tier engineering firm is seeking a Head of Business Assurance to lead its assurance framework and compliance across major UK infrastructure projects. This role involves overseeing quality and safety standards, internal audits, and continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in business assurance within the engineering sector, as well as lead auditor certifications. This is a hybrid role requiring significant stakeholder engagement and leadership skills, offering a competitive salary of £65,000 – £75,000 plus benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working model

Exposure to high-profile engineering projects

Supportive and collaborative culture

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Business Assurance, Quality or Compliance leadership within engineering, construction or infrastructure.
• Proven track record managing Business Management Systems and assurance frameworks.
• Experience managing sector-specific accreditations like RISQS, FORS, Achilles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an effective assurance strategy and management system.
• Lead audits ensuring adherence to ISO standards including 9001, 14001, 45001, 45003 and 27001.
• Oversee operational accreditations such as RISQS, FORS, NICEIC.

Skills

Business Assurance Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

ISO Standards Management

Continuous Improvement

Education

Diploma in Quality Management

Lead Auditor Certification in ISO

Job description

Head of Business Assurance

Location: London (Hybrid – minimum 4 days per week in office or on project sites)

Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 per annum + benefits

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and driven Head of Business Assurance to lead the development and delivery of a robust assurance framework across a leading engineering organisation delivering major UK infrastructure projects. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the company’s integrated management system, ensuring quality, safety, environmental and information security standards are maintained across all operations and projects. You will also take ownership of internal and external audits, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement, ensuring that business risks are understood, managed and reduced effectively. This position offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on how the organisation operates – embedding best practice, driving efficiency, and strengthening the foundations that support project delivery excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and maintain an effective business‑wide assurance strategy and management system.
• Lead the audit and compliance programme, ensuring adherence to ISO standards including 9001, 14001, 45001, 45003 and 27001.
• Oversee operational accreditations such as RISQS, FORS, Achilles UVDB, NICEIC, FIRAS and others critical to business operations.
• Collaborate with functional and operational leads to drive improvements and manage risk.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing Business Assurance team, promoting accountability and continuous improvement.
• Partner with project and commercial teams to embed quality and assurance into every stage of delivery.
• Champion digital assurance processes through platforms such as Asite or other common data environments (CDEs).
• Conduct management reviews and translate findings into strategic actions that strengthen performance and governance.

About You

• Significant experience in Business Assurance, Quality or Compliance leadership within engineering, construction or infrastructure.
• Proven track record managing Business Management Systems and assurance frameworks.
• Lead Auditor certification in ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 or 27001.
• Diploma‑level qualification in Quality Management and/or Health & Safety.
• Experience managing sector‑specific accreditations (e.g. RISQS, FORS, Achilles, NICEIC, FIRAS).
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative, decisive leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, technical environment.

What’s on Offer

Competitive salary: £65,000 – £75,000 + benefits.

Hybrid working – minimum 4 days per week in office or project environments.

Opportunity to shape and lead the assurance strategy within a respected engineering organisation.

Exposure to high‑profile, complex UK infrastructure projects.

Supportive, collaborative culture focused on safety, quality and innovation.