Assurance & Standards Lead - #1673537

A well known public sector organisation is growing their change directorate and is partnering exclusively with Reed Talent Professionals to recruit 2 Assurance & Standards Leads on a permanent basis.

They are based in Central London with a very generous hybrid working policy with typical attendance of 1 – 2 days a week.

Bear in mind you would need to undergo enhanced security clearance in order to start this position however they intend to fast track any application.

The successful candidates will take on a critical role in driving excellence in the development and assurance of Business Cases, Projects, and Programmes. This will help maintain a strong control environment while contributing to the safety and success of high-impact change initiatives.

About the Role

As the Assurance & Standards Lead, you will:

• Implement and adhere to a risk-based Assurance Strategy.


• Provide independent assurance across their extensive portfolio, including programmes with costs exceeding £100m.


• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in their Assurance capability.


• Collaborate strategically with the Cabinet Office’s Infrastructure and Project Authority, occasionally representing the Assurance and Standards function nationally.


• Ensure methodologies align with the Assurance Strategy and provide training and development to staff.


• Manage an Assurance & Standards team, overseeing recruitment, training, and personnel care.


• Develop strategic components such as Assurance, Information Management, SRO development, and Lessons Learned.


• Maintain a Portfolio-wide approach to Lessons Learned and support projects in implementing best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver assurance for Portfolio, Programme, and Project viability, ensuring alignment to leadership, quality, financial, governance, benefits, and resource management standards.


• Drive collaboration with the Portfolio Office, Business Design, and PPM Profession to develop the Centre of Excellence function.


• Challenge senior stakeholders, promoting compliance and adherence to established standards.


• Manage information, compliance, and assurance processes for the wider Portfolio.


• Support strategic relationships with senior authorities, ensuring alignment with government expectations.

What We’re Looking For

Experience:

• Proven leadership in complex change environments.


• Demonstrated involvement in transformational programmes and assurance reviews.


• Delivery or assurance of high-risk, complex programmes.


• Expertise in applying Portfolio, Programme, and Project management methodologies like P3O, MSP, PRINCE2, and Agile.


• Knowledge or experience with HMT Business Cases and contributing to CoE services.

Skills:

• Exceptional facilitation and mediation capabilities, building consensus and balancing differing viewpoints.


• Experience managing virtual and collaborative teams, promoting best practices across business design, change management, and assurance.


• Strong communication skills to influence and guide senior groups effectively.

Attributes:

• Willingness to become an IPA-accredited Review Team Leader.


• Proactive and innovative mindset, committed to driving continual improvement.

REMUNERATION PACKAGE

Starting salary ranging from £56,911 - £59,040 per annum + £2,928 additional allowances.

In addition, you will also receive a substantial benefits including 28 days annual leave + bank holidays, an excellent civil service pension (28.9% employers’ contribution), flexible working conditions with some home working available.

If you have the skills, experience, drive and attitude to be successful in this position as well as make a real difference within the MPS, APPLY NOW and we’ll be in touch. Submissions close 14th May.