Risk and Resilience Officer

The post is full time, permanent.

Reporting to the Head of Risk and Compliance, you will take the operational lead in the implementation of the University’s risk and resilience framework. 

You will strengthen the University’s risk and resilience arrangements, contributing towards a risk-informed organisation that is able to consider, assess, and respond to risk or business interruptions across all activities. Working with a wide range of stakeholders from across the University, you will facilitate high-quality and high-impact risk information, to support decision-making and ultimately the successful achievement of strategic objectives. 

Key Accountabilities 

• Support the Head of Risk and Compliance with the facilitation and coordination of risk management across the organisation providing professional advice when required

• Champion a positive risk culture by ensuring that risk registers and key aspects of the risk management framework (risk policy and risk appetite statement) are regularly reviewed and maintained

• Ensure that the University has effective mechanisms to identify emerging risks to its strategy and operations. Take responsibility for the coordination of activity to review, develop and maintain top level risk registers and risk reporting to support the delivery of the University Strategic Plan

• Contribute to the facilitation and coordination of business continuity activity across the University

• Ensure key aspects of our business continuity management framework (business continuity policy, resilience plans, and incident management plans) are regularly reviewed and maintained

• Lead continuous improvement of the University’s risk, resilience and business continuity activities, ensuring that systems and processes are fit for purpose

• Liaise with colleagues across the University to ensure risk and resilience arrangements are effectively aligned and embedded within key processes

• Take the lead in ensuring that business continuity and local incident plans are up to date, tested, and exercised. Work closely with colleagues to ensure critical activities are identified, business impact is understood, risk/threat assessments are undertaken and recovery plans are developed and implemented which align with the needs of the University

• Ensure that the University Emergency Management Plan resources are maintained and that the responding teams and Incident Officers have suitable training

• Support senior teams in coordinating the response to a major emergency or incident

• Lead continuous improvement of the University’s risk management framework, ensuring that systems, processes and actions are fit for purpose

• Research best practice and maintain an up to date knowledge of risk management and compliance issues and a network of contacts

• Establish and manage effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders communicating relevant information within the University and externally when appropriate

• Represent the University externally including on regional and national risk and resilience networks and similar groups as required

• Where appropriate, report to the University Executive on areas of responsibility, including identifying and reporting on emerging issues and proposing solutions

• Maintain memberships of relevant professional bodies and undertake CPD to ensure remain current with developments in the profession

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience  

• Experience of working in a risk and resilience role

• In-depth knowledge of risk and resilience issues and emerging threats relevant to the higher education sector 

• Experience of developing and implementing risk and resilience management systems and frameworks 

• Experience of training colleagues and delivering effective presentations 

• Experience of developing and implementing policy and guidance 

• The ability to deal with and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders 

Attributes and Behaviour 

• An ability to effectively persuade and influence 

• Excellent communication skills, ability to deliver advice in an appropriate and professional manner 

• The ability to build effective working relationships internally & externally 

• The ability to work alone or as part of a team 

• The ability to think strategically and critically 

• Horizon-scanning and working proactively to support the development of University policy and emergency preparedness. 

• A knowledge of change management techniques and experience of delivery 

• An ability to prioritise workload, deliver on time and to tight deadlines 

• A high level of tact and discretion. 

• Willing to occasionally work outside normal hours when the need arises 

Qualifications 

• Educated to degree level or equivalent 

Desirable

• Membership of the Institute Risk Management/Business Continuity Institute or equivalent