About this role
Job summary
BPAS is an independent healthcare charity providing abortion care, reproductive healthcare, advice and treatment to women across the UK. We are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, compassionate care and the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
Our work is underpinned by strong governance, effective risk management and a commitment to continuous improvement. We are looking for an experienced Governance and Risk Manager to help strengthen these foundations and support the organisation in delivering its strategic objectives.
Reporting to the Company Secretary, you will play a key role in embedding and developing BPAS's corporate governance and risk management frameworks. Working closely with the Head of Corporate Governance and senior leaders across the organisation, you will promote a proactive approach to risk management, strengthen governance processes and ensure effective assurance and accountability.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities will include
- Developing and maintaining BPAS's risk management strategy, policies and procedures, promoting a consistent approach to risk management across the organisation.
- Working with Chief Officers, senior leaders and risk owners to identify, assess, monitor and manage organisational risks, ensuring appropriate controls and escalation.
- Supporting the management of the Strategic Risk Register and Board Assurance Framework (BAF), ensuring alignment between operational risks and strategic objectives.
- Providing oversight and assurance of governance meeting structures below sub-committee level, promoting effective meeting practices, reporting and accountability.
- Embedding BPAS's corporate governance and policy management frameworks, ensuring policies are appropriately developed, reviewed, approved and maintained.
- Acting as a subject matter expert for the Insight risk management system, supporting effective use, monitoring engagement and identifying areas for improvement.
- Providing advice, guidance and constructive challenge to colleagues at all levels, building understanding and promoting a culture of risk-based decision-making.
About us
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) is the UK's largest independent reproductive healthcare charity, providing evidence-based, not-for-profit reproductive healthcare. We work mainly on behalf of the NHS, offering abortion care, contraception, and STI testing and treatment across the country.
When you join BPAS, you become part of a values-driven organisation where compassion, professionalism, and choice guide everything we do. You will help remove barriers to safe reproductive care while supporting people to make informed choices about their health and futures.
Working with us benefits include
- 34 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
- Life assurance at 3 salary
- Defined contribution pension scheme
- Access to GP 24/7, 365 days a year
- MyMindPal mental fitness app and 24/7 counselling support
- Online discounts, discounted gym membership, and other lifestyle benefits
- Family-friendly policies to support work-life balance
Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity
BPAS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services, and all staff share this responsibility. Recruitment follows safer-recruitment principles and includes appropriate pre-employment checks.
We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and will make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair and accessible recruitment process for all candidates.
Job description
Job responsibilities
About You
You will be an experienced governance and risk professional with a strong understanding of organisational risk management, corporate governance and assurance. You will be confident working with senior stakeholders, able to challenge constructively and have the ability to engage and influence colleagues to embed effective governance and risk management practices.
You will bring
- A degree or equivalent experience, together with relevant education, training or demonstrable experience in risk management and governance.
- Proven experience of managing risk registers, Board Assurance Frameworks and governance processes within a healthcare, charity or regulated corporate environment.
- Experience of working at a senior level, preparing reports for governance meetings and engaging with external regulators.
- A strong understanding of risk management principles, corporate governance and regulatory requirements, including CQC and NHS England.
- Experience of risk management systems such as InPhase, alongside strong IT skills.
- Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and complex information.
- The confidence to engage, influence and provide constructive challenge to senior leaders and colleagues across all levels of an organisation.
- The ability to build credibility, develop effective working relationships and coach and support others to improve their understanding of risk and governance.
Experience within a healthcare setting and an understanding of the risks associated with healthcare delivery, particularly abortion care, would be advantageous.
A full job description, person specification and terms and conditions of the role with salary details are available for you to download from this page.
Further Information
We may close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications, although we aim to keep it open long enough to ensure a diverse and representative applicant pool.
If you have any questions about the role or require adjustments to support your application, please get in touch, we are happy to help.
Location: Hybrid - Working from home with travel to BPAS units and Head Office as required.
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum depending on skills and experience
Hours Per Week: 36 hours
Hours of Work: Monday to Thursday 09:00-17:00, and Friday 09:00 -15:30
Apply now
Interested in making a difference? Apply today to join our team.
Values & eligibility: All applicants must be pro choice and support a woman's right to choose, in line with BPAS values and mission. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
References & pre-employment checks: All offers of employment are conditional on satisfactory pre-employment checks. Applicants must provide three years of employment references, including reasons for leaving and details of any gaps in employment.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Strong understanding of the principles of risk management and corporate governance, including knowledge of CQC and NHS England regulatory requirements.
- Experience of using risk management systems such as InPhase or similar, with strong IT skills and the ability to analyse, interrogate and challenge processes to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Excellent organisational, planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing demands, work under pressure and deliver to deadlines.
- Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence and ability to engage, influence and work collaboratively with senior leaders, external stakeholders and professionals across all levels of an organisation.
Desirable
- Understanding of risks related to healthcare and in particular abortion care
- Understanding of the legal framework for abortion in Britain
General
Essential
- Do you support a woman's right to choose abortion?
- Are you the family or friend of a current BPAS employee? If yes, please state the name and the nature of the relationship.
- This role is hybrid which involves working from home with travel across our clinics nationwide, and to Head Office when required. Can you commit to this?
Desirable
- Please list any other information in support of your application
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of managing organisational risk within a healthcare, charity or regulated corporate environment, including the development, maintenance and oversight of risk registers and Board Assurance Frameworks.
- Experience of working at a senior level, supporting the development, implementation and improvement of organisational governance structures, processes and practices.
- Experience of preparing written reports and assurance papers for senior management, Board or governance meetings, and working with external regulators.
- Experience of providing coaching, guidance and support to colleagues at all levels, influencing and promoting effective risk management and governance practices.
Desirable
- Experience of working within healthcare organisations
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent with demonstrable experience.
- Education and training or equivalent experience in both Risk Management and Governance.
Employer details
Employer name
British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS)
Address
Orion House
Athena Drive
Warwick
CV34 6RQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.bpas.org (Opens in a new tab)