Head of Risk Assurance (2nd Line)

Bupa; Salford; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Management Bonus Scheme

Car Allowance

Private medical insurance (family)

Excellent Pension scheme

Life assurance

Flexible and hybrid working

Job summary

Bupa is seeking a Head of Risk Assurance (2nd Line) to lead a high-performing risk assurance team across the UK, with offices in Manchester, London or Staines. You will develop the assurance program and oversee reviews, driving independent challenge to executives and delivering governance-ready reporting.

The role requires extensive leadership in financial services risk, deep knowledge of risk frameworks, and collaboration with risk partners and internal audit to strengthen controls and customer

Qualifications

• Senior risk professional with leadership in financial services
• Strong knowledge of risk management frameworks and the three lines model
• Experience delivering assurance reviews and control testing
• Proven ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Bupa's second-line Risk Assurance capability
• Deliver an assurance plan focusing on key risks and regulatory priorities
• Oversee desktop reviews, thematic reviews and deep-dive assurance activities
• Provide independent, evidence-based challenge to senior stakeholders
• Produce clear reporting for senior leaders and governance forums
• Identify themes, control weaknesses and improvement opportunities
• Collaborate with Risk & Compliance Partners, Internal Audit and business leaders

Skills

2nd line risk leadership

Risk assurance knowledge

Executive stakeholder engagement

Risk mgmt frameworks & 3 lines

Thematic reviews & control testing

Education

Bachelor's in Finance/Risk/Banking

Job description

Job Description: Head of Risk Assurance (2nd Line) Competitive Salary, Bonus & Benefits UK - Manchester, London or Staines office Permanent role – 37.5 hours per week Closing date – 30th October 2026

We make health happen

At Bupa, our purpose is simple: helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. As a healthcare provider and insurer with no shareholders, our focus is always on our customers and patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Bupa's second-line Risk Assurance capability Build, develop and lead a high-performing team of assurance specialists.
• Deliver an assurance plan focused on key risks, regulatory priorities and customer outcomes.
• Oversee desktop reviews, thematic reviews and deep-dive assurance activities.
• Provide independent, evidence-based challenge to senior stakeholders.
• Produce clear and insightful reporting for senior leaders and governance forums.
• Identify emerging themes, control weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.
• Work closely with Risk & Compliance Business Partners, Internal Audit and business leaders to strengthen risk management practices.

What We're Looking For

• Senior risk professional with significant leadership experience in financial services (insurance, financial consulting, banking) Background in risk assurance, operational risk, internal audit, compliance monitoring, controls testing or regulatory assurance
• Demonstrable ability to lead a 2nd Line assurance function or framework.
• Strong knowledge of risk management frameworks and the three lines model.
• Ability to engage and influence executive level stakeholders Experience delivering assurance reviews, thematic reviews and control effectiveness assessments.
• ‘Challenger’ mindset – focus on continuous improvement

Viva is our global wellbeing programme and includes all aspects of our health – from mental and physical, to financial, social and environmental wellbeing. We support flexible working and have a range of family friendly benefits.

Joining Bupa in this role you will receive the following benefits and more:

• Management Bonus Scheme
• Car Allowance (paid as cash)
• Private medical insurance (family cover)
• Excellent Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Flexible and hybrid working options

Why Bupa

We’re a health insurer and provider. With no shareholders, our customers are our focus. Our people are all driven by the same purpose – helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We make health happen by being brave, caring and responsible in everything we do. We encourage all of our people to “Be you at Bupa”, we champion diversity, and we understand the importance of our people representing the communities and customers we serve.

That's why we especially encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Bupa is a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This means we aim to offer an interview/assessment to every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the role. We'll make sure you are treated fairly and offer reasonable adjustments as part of our recruitment process to anyone that needs them.

Time Type

Full time

Job Area

Legal, Risk & Audit

Locations

Angel Court, London, Bupa Place

Be at the heart of helping people live longer healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We employ more than 80,000 people globally who are making this a reality.

If you've got the belief, the drive and the talent to help us in our ambition then we’d like to hear from you.

Wherever you work, one thing stands out about Bupa people. Our customers are our passion – they’re at the heart of our positively different culture of care. At Bupa you’ll be challenged, you’ll be encouraged to innovate, and collaborate with colleagues who are committed to delivering exceptional experiences.

We trust, respect and consider everyone, knowing your difference will make the difference.