Independent Audit & Risk Committee Member

GatenbySanderson; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

A Government department in Manchester is seeking a Non-Executive Independent Member for its Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with substantial experience in finance leadership, governance, and risk management. This role is crucial for advising on critical decisions, ensuring accountability, and supporting diverse perspectives. Applications close at noon on 27 October 2025. Competitive package offered.

Qualifications

• Strong background in finance leadership roles.
• Experience of governance, risk, finance and performance management at a senior level.
• Proven track record in leading complex transformations.

Responsibilities

• Join as a Non-Executive Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.
• Provide oversight and guidance in governance and risk.
• Contribute to decision-making at a high level.

Skills

Financial leadership

Governance

Risk management

Performance management

Cyber security

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Overview

Much more than law

The Government Legal Department (GLD) is the largest provider of legal services across government, working with all the main Civil Service departments. We are a non-Ministerial department sponsored by the Attorney General's Office / the Law Officers for England and Wales.

Our core mission is as simple as it is profound: we help the Government to govern well, within the rule of law. To do that we provide legal services in relation to matters of the highest importance to the UK. These are matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament, the Courts and by the media, including expert advisory, litigation, commercial and employment law services; and advising on Ministers\' policy, giving effect to it through secondary legislation we draft on their behalf and instructing Parliamentary Counsel to draft Bills which we take through Parliament to Royal Assent.

GLD is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse community of lawyers and wider professionals. The Department has over 3,000 employees, around 2,000 of whom are solicitors or barristers. We have advisory teams working at the very highest levels of government as the primary legal advisers for Ministers and senior officials on the most significant issues of the day. From the cost-of-living crisis to the coronation, from national security to transportation, from healthcare to human rights, we provide the legal advice which underpins the government response, often working in concert with private sector legal providers. Our expert legal teams operate at the cutting-edge of contemporary legal practice and are acclaimed across the profession for their expertise, regularly winning and being shortlisted for awards including those presented by the Bar Council, The Lawyer, and the Financial Times.

In addition to this, as Civil Servants, we are steeped in the values and culture of the UK Civil Service and dedicated to the finest traditions of public service as can be seen in the fact that we are driving the work of all current public inquiries which are some of the most significant in recent years (the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry). Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism. We\'re at a pivotal moment as an organisation, as we refresh our strategy to equip us to tackle future challenges in line with the government reform programme.

We are a unique legal organisation, combining the practice of law with the running of a Government department and we want to make sure that GLD is a brilliant place to work, where we can all thrive and fulfil our potential.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced person to join us as a Non-Executive Independent Member of our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (a sub-committee of the GLD Board). The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with a strong background in finance leadership roles and experience of governance, risk, finance and performance management at a senior level. A proven track record in leading complex transformation where technological change was a key factor, with experience of identifying and mitigating risks associated with major technological change programmes and cyber security, would be advantageous.

We invite you to join us in our crucially important work of upholding the law, advising Government, and serving the nation.

Diversity: Government Legal Department welcome applications from individuals representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society. Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil Service that delivers policies and services for all of our citizens.

To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click \'Continue to full details\'.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date

• 12 noon Monday 27 October 2025

Longlist Meeting

• Wednesday 5 - Friday 7 November 2025

Preliminary discussions with GatenbySanderson

• w/c 10 & 17 November 2025

Shortlist Meeting

• w/c 24 November 2025

Final Panel Interviews

• w/c 8 December 2025

How to Apply

To apply for this post please submit the following documents no later than 12 noon Monday 27 October 2025. All applications must be submitted via the Gatenbysanderson website:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A supporting statement (no longer than two pages) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification and your motivation for applying.
• A completed Disclosure Form declaring potential conflicts of interest and conduct matters.
• Candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Please complete the relevant parts in the application system if applying under this scheme.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity- related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select \'prefer not to say\'. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards the Diversity and Inclusion objectives. You will also be required to provide the details for two potential referees. References will be requested for those candidates invited to interview.

Failure to submit all documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. Please ensure that all documents contain your full name. Your application will be acknowledged by GatenbySanderson\'s online system.

For a confidential discussion about the role to help you determine your suitability for application and/or to answer any questions you might have, please contact one of our recruitment advisors at GatenbySanderson:

• Rosanne Sarratt: [e-mail]
• Olivia Robinson: [e-mail]
• Julie Myers: [e-mail]

If you have any questions about the appointments process, you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, or require additional assistance to support you in your application, please email [e-mail].