Head of Performance and Risk

EAST MIDLANDS COMBINED COUNTY AUTHORITY; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in Chesterfield seeks a Head of Performance and Risk to drive strategic objectives and manage performance and risk. The ideal candidate will have relevant professional qualifications, significant senior-level experience, and demonstrate leadership, communication skills, and compliance oversight. Applications are invited to contribute significantly to the East Midlands' future development. Closing date: October 19, 2025.

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience in performance, risk, or assurance within a complex public sector or partnership setting.
• Proven ability to lead strategic planning, reporting, and risk mitigation.
• Effectively manage the team's workload and resources to meet your teams' goals and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the design and delivery of a robust, integrated framework for performance and risk management.
• Embed a proactive risk strategy and maintain meaningful risk registers.
• Produce high-quality reports for senior leaders and external partners.

Skills

Strategic planning

Risk management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Compliance oversight

Education

Relevant professional qualifications at degree level

Job description

Overview

This senior leadership role provides a rare opportunity to help shape the future of the East Midlands. As Head of Performance and Risk, you’ll play a pivotal role to drive strategic objectives and ensuring exceptional performance and risk management - becoming tools that drive improvement, innovation and lasting public value.

Welcome to EMCCA

The East Midlands has huge potential. As the UK’s first mayor-led combined county authority, EMCCA will unlock it - bringing devolved powers over transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic growth and net zero. We’re here to make the region better connected, better funded and better prepared for a future of opportunity. By shaping strategies and building partnerships, we will maximise the impact of billions of pounds of investment; putting the East Midlands firmly on the map as a place to live, work and thrive.

Your role in elevating the East Midlands

As Head of Performance and Risk, you’ll work collaboratively across Directorates to create a culture where performance, risk and assurance go beyond compliance. Key responsibilities include:

• Shaping the framework: You’ll lead on the design and delivery of a robust, integrated framework that ensures transparency, accountability and continuous improvement across all programmes and services.
• Driving risk management: Embed a proactive risk strategy, keeping corporate and service-level registers live and meaningful, and working with senior leaders to identify, assess and mitigate risks.
• Delivering trusted insight: Produce high-quality reports for the Chief Executive, SLT and directors, the Mayor, government and external partners, turning data into strategic advice that informs major decisions.
• Enabling delivery: Support project and programme teams across transport, skills, housing, net zero and other portfolios to embed performance and risk into everything they do.
• Safeguarding compliance: Ensure statutory obligations and the Single Assurance Framework are met, leading reviews, reporting to the Audit & Governance Committee, and managing key agreements and claims.
• Leading by example: Guide and inspire the team with clear direction, fostering a positive, accountable and inclusive culture through coaching, training, and career development opportunities.

Your profile

• Relevant professional qualifications at degree level (e.g. PRINCE2, APM, IRM, CIPFA, or equivalent).
• Significant senior-level experience in performance, risk or assurance within a complex public sector or partnership setting.
• Proven ability to lead strategic planning, reporting and risk mitigation.
• Able to inspire, provide clear direction and build an inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Ensure transparent and timely communication, encouraging open feedback within the team.
• Effectively manage the team’s workload and resources to meet your teams’ goals and priorities.

For more details on EMCCA including our rewards and benefits, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

To play a critical part in delivering change across the region, helping to improve the East Midlands for generations to come, please apply by visiting our website which can be accessed via the Apply button

Closing date: 19th October 2025.

NB - this is a politically restricted post as designated under the LGHA and any subsequent amendment and you may not have any active political role either in or outside of work.

Office location – all roles are based at NGEC, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1UT unless stated otherwise.