Head of Assurance

Temporary Contract

Job Details

Client: North Yorkshire Council
Hours: 37 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

Working Hours: 08:30 – 17:00

Start Date: 08 March 2026
End Date: 14 June 2026

Location

Office Base:
County Hall
Racecourse Lane
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL7 8AE

Pay & Package

PAYE Rate: £40.00 per hour

Job Overview

North Yorkshire Council is seeking an experienced Head of Assurance to provide strategic leadership across assurance, risk management and compliance functions.

This interim role will support the authority during a recruitment process and will play a key role in strengthening assurance frameworks, overseeing internal audit activity and supporting governance processes linked to major programmes and funding streams.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership, elected members and government stakeholders to ensure the organisation maintains strong assurance processes and compliance with statutory obligations.

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Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on assurance, risk management and compliance across the authority

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive assurance framework aligned with statutory requirements and strategic priorities

• Provide expert advice to senior leadership and committees on assurance and risk matters

• Oversee the internal audit programme and ensure recommendations are implemented in a timely manner

• Act as liaison with internal auditors, regulators and funding bodies

• Embed assurance processes across major investment programmes, funding streams and transformation initiatives

• Lead programme assurance activity ensuring evidence, milestones and evaluation outputs are robust and auditable

• Deliver appraisals of programme and project business cases ensuring appropriate due diligence is undertaken

• Support Gateway Review processes and engagement with Government regarding regional devolution initiatives

• Develop and implement performance management frameworks aligned with strategic priorities

• Present complex information to senior stakeholders, elected members and external partners

Essential Experience & Knowledge

• Significant experience in assurance, risk management and compliance leadership

• Knowledge of assurance frameworks and governance across the full project lifecycle

• Experience managing staff, budgets and organisational resources

• Experience leading project appraisal processes using HM Treasury Green Book principles

• Strong understanding of investment appraisal tools such as webTAG and cost/benefit analysis

• Understanding of State Aid / Subsidy Control regulations

• Knowledge of contract management processes and relevant UK legislation

• Experience presenting complex strategic information to senior leadership and elected members

• Experience of public sector procurement and programme governance

• Experience developing and implementing strategies within large organisations

Reporting To

Senior Leadership Team / Director Level

Disclaimer

On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

RQ1701902