Head of Enterprise Risk Management

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Head of Enterprise Risk Management

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: Competitive leadership salary depending on experience, performance related bonus, flexible benefit scheme.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

The Head of Enterprise Risk Management is responsible for leading and continuously strengthening AWE’s enterprise‑wide approach to risk management, embedding a proportionate risk culture which enables informed decision-making while supporting innovation and effective delivery. 

We are seeking a Head of Enterprise Risk Management to lead and continuously strengthen the organisation’s enterprise‑wide approach to risk management. Reporting to [Executive Director / Chief Risk Officer / Director of Assurance and Risk], this role is responsible for setting the strategic direction for enterprise risk management, embedding a strong risk culture, and ensuring that risk informs decision‑making at all levels of the organisation.

The Head of Enterprise Risk Management will provide strategic leadership for the organisation’s enterprise risk management approach, ensuring that risk management is integrated into decision‑making, governance and delivery of strategic objectives.

Working closely with Senior Leaders and the AWE Plc Board, you will help define risk appetite and guide decisions on the level of risk the organisation is prepared to accept. The role requires strong stakeholder engagement and the ability to balance strategic oversight with pragmatic, delivery-focused outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implementation of AWE’s risk framework
• Ensuring risk management policy and processes are understood and mapped to required contractual and regulatory obligations, appropriately used, and maintained by business areas
• Overall facilitation of the Enterprise Risk Management process and provision of risk management delivery support to AWE corporate and enabling functions
• Consulting with senior leaders, the AWE Executive and the Director of Assurance and Risk to drive openness and transparency in surfacing and articulating risks
• Ensuring the strategic risk profile of AWE is defined and accurately reported to the AWE Executive and Plc Board on a timely basis, and that relevant actions are being taken
• Communicating with key stakeholders the business's risk profile and assessments in relation to the approved risk appetite
• Responsible for enhancing AWE's ability to undertake scenario analysis and stress testing as it is relevant to identified corporate and strategic risks
• As Head of Profession for risk management support the development of the organisation’s risk management capabilities

To be considered for this opportunity, you’ll need the following:

• An accredited risk professional, IRM, IIA or CCBA
• Ability to work beyond defined processes to engage senior risk and process owners, ensuring that the accountability and ownership of both risk and assurance activities over internal controls are well defined and aligned to the organisation’s strategy
• Can demonstrate a track record of delivering pragmatic and sustainable solutions that align to the strategic direction of the organisation.
• Demonstrable experience and credibility in engaging with and influencing senior leaders with a proven track record of building and sustaining trusted relationships through clear communication
• Experience in the development of risk management capability across all levels of the organisation
• Knowledge of the regulatory bodies that deal with AWE and the relevant processes that need to be adhered to including the HM Treasury Orange Book and the Three Lines Model.

Some reasons we think you will love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

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Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. 
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.