Birmingham City Council
Assistant Director, Assurance and Risk Management
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Permanent/ Fixed Term Contract/ Secondment
Grade B01 - £90,619 - £134,839
Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review
Working 36.5 hours per week
Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.
This is an exciting time to join Birmingham City Council.
Birmingham City Council is one of the largest and most complex local authorities in Europe, serving more than one million residents and delivering services that make a real difference to people's lives.
We are seeking an inspiring and people-focused leader to join us as Assistant Director, Assurance and Risk Management, with responsibility for Internal Audit, Risk Management, Counter Fraud and Intelligence.
We have set an ambitious strategy for the future of Assurance and Risk Management, embracing innovation, investing in data analytics and artificial intelligence, and developing a modern, insight-led approach to assurance. We are looking for a leader who can build on these foundations, drive continuous improvement and help shape the next phase of our journey.
Success in this role is about more than technical expertise. We are looking for someone who can develop and empower teams, build trusted relationships, influence senior decision-makers and create a culture where assurance, risk management and continuous improvement are valued across the organisation.
This is a genuine opportunity to make a difference. Working closely with senior leaders, elected members, the Audit Committee, external auditors and other key stakeholders, you will play a leading role in strengthening governance, managing risk and supporting organisational improvement.
Alongside providing independent assurance to the Audit Committee, the service works proactively with officers on major projects, programmes and transformation activity to help ensure effective governance, risk management and control arrangements are designed and embedded from the outset.
About The Role
As Assistant Director, Assurance and Risk Management, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership for Internal Audit, Risk Management, Counter Fraud and Intelligence.
- Lead the continued development of a modern, high-performing assurance framework that supports organisational improvement and financial sustainability.
- Act as the Council's Chief Audit Executive, providing independent assurance and insight to senior leadership and the Audit Committee.
- Lead the development and delivery of the annual audit plan, ensuring resources are focused on the Council's most significant risks and priorities.
- Drive the ongoing development of the Council's risk management arrangements, helping the organisation identify, understand and respond to risk effectively.
- Ensure robust counter fraud arrangements are in place to prevent, detect and respond to fraud and corruption risks.
- Provide strategic advisory support on major projects, programmes and organisational change initiatives, helping services identify and manage risk and establish effective controls from the outset.
- Champion innovation, data analytics and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance assurance and provide deeper organisational insight.
- Build strong and trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, providing constructive challenge and support to improve governance, performance and accountability.
- Lead, inspire and develop high-performing teams, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
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Why Birmingham?
Few organisations can offer the scale, complexity and variety of Birmingham City Council.
This role provides the opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of services, programmes and partnerships, influencing decisions that affect more than one million residents.
You will play a key role in supporting the Council's continued improvement, strengthening governance and helping to ensure public resources are used effectively.
This role offers a unique balance of assurance and influence. Alongside delivering independent assurance, you will have the opportunity to work closely with services on major initiatives and transformation programmes, helping to shape successful outcomes through strong governance, risk management and control. This is a chance to add real value, not simply provide retrospective assurance.
You will inherit services that are ambitious, forward-looking and committed to innovation. In return, you will have the opportunity to shape strategy, develop talented teams, embrace new technologies and leave a lasting legacy across one of the most important local authorities in the country.
About You
We are looking for an experienced, visible and people-focused leader who combines professional credibility with the ability to inspire others and influence at the highest levels.
You Will Bring
- Significant senior leadership experience in internal audit, risk management, assurance, governance or a related discipline.
- A proven track record of leading, developing and inspiring high-performing teams.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish trust and credibility with senior leaders, elected members, Audit Committee members, regulators and external partners.
- Strong influencing and communication skills, with the confidence to provide constructive challenge, support improvement and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
- A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with a genuine commitment to developing people and supporting professional growth.
- A strong understanding of governance, risk management, internal control and assurance frameworks.
- A passion for innovation and modern assurance practices, including the use of data, analytics and technology to improve outcomes.
- The ability to provide sound judgement, strategic leadership and independent challenge in a complex organisational environment.
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What We Offer
- The opportunity to lead and shape Assurance and Risk Management within one of the largest local authorities in Europe.
- A key leadership role within an organisation undergoing significant transformation and improvement.
- The opportunity to influence strategic decision-making and organisational culture.
- A highly varied and rewarding working environment.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- A commitment to professional development, innovation and continuous improvement.
- A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and flexible working.
Join Us
If you are an ambitious and forward-thinking leader who is passionate about developing people, embracing innovation and making a genuine difference, we would welcome your application.
Help us shape the future of assurance, risk management and governance at Birmingham City Council.
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.
Please upload an up-to-date CV and Supporting Statement via the attachments part of your application. The Supporting Statement should outline how you meet the criteria for the role through your personal qualities, skills and experience and include your motivation for applying to the post. Note the Personal Statement should be no more than 1500 words. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV and Personal Statement attached.
First stage interview will be scheduled for week commencing 21/09/2026.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.
We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.
For any informal enquires please contact: Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.
Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Job Description and Person Specification - Assistant Director of Assurance and Risk Management JD.pdf
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