Head of Enterprise Risk

Northern LGPS; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern LGPS is seeking a senior leader to shape enterprise risk across the organisation and to report to the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer. The role drives the design and embedding of risk management, governance and resilience across the partnership, with close collaboration to the executive, regulators and partner funds.

The successful candidate will oversee risk oversight, policy development, risk appetite, ICARA, IFPR compliance and management reporting, while building a high-performing

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and continually enhance an enterprise risk management framework aligned with business strategy, governance, policies, risk taxonomy, risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and maintain the policies, procedures and governance structures needed to support effective risk management across Northern.
• Provide second-line support to management in identifying, assessing and prioritising enterprise-level strategic, operational, financial and compliance risks.
• Develop effective tools and systems for monitoring risk exposures and delivering timely, insightful reporting to executive management, risk committees and the Board.
• Support the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer in developing risk appetite, tolerance thresholds and early warning indicators, monitoring adherence and escalating breaches where required.
• Work closely with the Head of Investment Risk and Investment Risk team to bring together enterprise and investment risk perspectives, supporting a holistic view of vulnerabilities and opportunities.
• Collaborate across Finance, Operations, Compliance and Legal to embed effective risk management practices into business processes and provide expert advice on risk and mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to Northern’s Internal Capital Adequacy and Risk Assessment (ICARA) process, supporting adherence to the Investment Firms Prudential Regime (IFPR), Operational Resilience requirements and the Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) process.
• Produce high-quality risk management information, analytics and dashboards that clearly communicate key exposures, emerging risks and management actions.
• Maintain an effective risk governance calendar and committee cadence, helping ensure papers, records and supporting documentation are accurate and of a high standard.
• Support prudential assessments relating to enterprise risk, including stress scenarios and wind-down considerations.
• Oversee risk governance processes, including risk committees and audit reviews, and facilitate risk workshops and training.
• Promote a strong risk culture across Northern, helping the first line understand its risk responsibilities through effective communication, engagement and support.
• Lead and develop the enterprise risk team, setting objectives and performance indicators and fostering collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective aggregation and second-line oversight of risk management information to support robust organisational decision-making.

Job description

Shape an enterprise-wide approach to risk that strengthens governance, resilience and informed decision-making across Northern LGPS.

Northern LGPS is entering an important phase of its development, creating an FCA authorised investment management company and strengthening the governance and operating model that will support its long-term ambitions.

As Head of Enterprise Risk, you’ll have the opportunity to shape how enterprise risk is understood, managed and embedded across the organisation. Reporting to the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, you’ll design, implement and continually enhance Northern’s enterprise-wide risk management framework, covering material financial and non-financial risks.

This is a senior role with significant organisational reach. You’ll work closely with the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Executive and Board, providing effective second-line challenge and helping ensure Northern’s risk profile remains within approved appetite. You’ll also work across functions to strengthen risk culture, governance, regulatory compliance and operational resilience.

About Northern LGPS

Northern LGPS is a c£70bn pooled investment partnership for the Local Government Pension Scheme, bringing together the investments of Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Merseyside Pension Fund and West Yorkshire Pension Fund.

Building on the foundations of its collaboration over several years, Northern LGPS is now entering the next phase of its development. This phase focuses on establishing an FCA authorised investment management company with a dedicated senior leadership team; strengthening governance and creating a clear operating model to support long-term investment outcomes.

For those joining at this stage, the opportunity is exceptional. These roles offer the chance to shape strategy, set standards and build leadership capability for the long term, working closely with the partner funds, who are both shareholders and clients, Boards and regulators to ensure Northern LGPS continues to evolve as a well-governed, resilient investment organisation.

Our culture

As Northern LGPS continues to evolve, we are building a collaborative, open and trusting organisation where people can do their best work.

We believe strong outcomes come from working together, sharing knowledge and supporting one another. Our flexible and hybrid working arrangements give colleagues greater flexibility in how they manage their time, while supporting collaboration and colleague wellbeing.

We are developing a supportive learning culture where people are encouraged to grow, contribute ideas and help shape how the organisation works. Our ambition is to build a resilient and sustainable organisation that delivers for its Partner Funds over the long term.

The main responsibilities of this role

As Head of Enterprise Risk, you’ll play a central role in establishing a comprehensive approach to enterprise risk oversight and monitoring.

You will:

• Design, implement and continually enhance an enterprise risk management framework aligned with business strategy, governance, policies, risk taxonomy, risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and maintain the policies, procedures and governance structures needed to support effective risk management across Northern.
• Provide second-line support to management in identifying, assessing and prioritising enterprise-level strategic, operational, financial and compliance risks.
• Develop effective tools and systems for monitoring risk exposures and delivering timely, insightful reporting to executive management, risk committees and the Board.
• Support the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer in developing risk appetite, tolerance thresholds and early warning indicators, monitoring adherence and escalating breaches where required.
• Work closely with the Head of Investment Risk and Investment Risk team to bring together enterprise and investment risk perspectives, supporting a holistic view of vulnerabilities and opportunities.
• Collaborate across Finance, Operations, Compliance and Legal to embed effective risk management practices into business processes and provide expert advice on risk and mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to Northern’s Internal Capital Adequacy and Risk Assessment (ICARA) process, supporting adherence to the Investment Firms Prudential Regime (IFPR), Operational Resilience requirements and the Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) process.
• Produce high-quality risk management information, analytics and dashboards that clearly communicate key exposures, emerging risks and management actions.
• Maintain an effective risk governance calendar and committee cadence, helping ensure papers, records and supporting documentation are accurate and of a high standard.
• Support prudential assessments relating to enterprise risk, including stress scenarios and wind-down considerations.
• Oversee risk governance processes, including risk committees and audit reviews, and facilitate risk workshops and training.
• Promote a strong risk culture across Northern, helping the first line understand its risk responsibilities through effective communication, engagement and support.
• Lead and develop the enterprise risk team, setting objectives and performance indicators and fostering collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective aggregation and second-line oversight of risk management information to support robust organisational decision-making.

What we’re looking for

You will operate at senior level across enterprise risk management, governance, regulatory compliance and organisational risk oversight.

In particular, the role will require you to work effectively with senior stakeholders across Northern, including the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer, Head of Investment Risk and other C-suit colleagues. You’ll also engage with regulators, industry bodies, external auditors and third‑party service providers.

Location

You can be based at any of our offices in Bradford, Manchester or Liverpool.

Hours of work

37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Flexible and hybrid working

Northern LGPS offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements, alongside a commitment to colleague wellbeing.

Sponsorship

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Equal opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.