Head of Risk

Head of Risk

The closing date is 05 March 2026

Would you like to be part of a Risk team which is innovative, forward-thinking and creates practical solutions to shape and evolve risk management maturity?

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for you to work as the Head of Risk, based at our Head Office, Sceptre Point.

Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Risk and providing operational risk management leadership, we are looking for someone who can share their passion, vision and work ethic, to make a real, positive impact on our service users and on our colleagues.

You are a people person with a growth mind set, who is values-driven, ambitious, enthusiastic and self motivated. You are highly organised and you take immense pride in creating and effectively managing robust risk management systems and processes. You have fantastic verbal and written communication skills, negotiation and influencing skills and you have the ability to remain calm under pressure. You have the ability to challenge the status quo in a diplomatic manner and drive change for continuous improvement.

Main duties of the job

You will take a lead role in implementing the new board approved risk management strategy and drive the design and delivery of various risk management initiatives across the Trust. Ensuring risk management systems and processes are in place and working effectively, you will enhance the risk culture from ward-to-board and be pivotal in strengthening the Trust's internal control environment. The role is varied, fast paced and highly rewarding as you play a key role in enhancing the Trust's risk management capabilities; you will need to be comfortable responding quickly and efficiently to deliver against tight deadlines and be confident holding responsibility and accountability with regards to quality and content of work delivered, including preparation of risk management reports.

If you are a senior risk management professional with extensive experience and knowledge of implementing risk management frameworks, this role may be just the right one for you. If so, we would love to hear from you.

About us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well

Job responsibilities

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Masters qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience working at a senior level in specialist area
• Risk management qualification or equivalent experience from a recognised professional body (e.g. Institute of Risk Management)
• Evidence of active continued professional development to support the delivery of a senior leadership role including experience in risk management and governance systems

Knowledge

• Highly developed specialist knowledge of risk management
• Extensive knowledge of governance and risk frameworks, particularly but not exclusively within the NHS

Experience

• Leading healthcare specific risk management work with the NHS or other public sector
• Experience of managing a Corporate Risk Register and Board Assurance Framework
• Experience of leading and managing teams
• Experience of using risk management systems such as Datix
• Experience of representing Risk on large scale projects / significant change and transformation programmes

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust