At Direct Line Group, insurance is just the start. Combining decades of industry experience with talented people in every field from data, technology, customer care and auto repair, to HR, finance and procurement, we’re a customer-obsessed market powerhouse. And we all work together to be brilliant for customers, every single day.
Here at DLG, we want everyone to play their part in owning our Risk and Controls across the business – and we’re doing a lot of work to enable this. We’re reviewing our Risk and Controls teams across the ‘first line’ – e.g. across Human Resources, Claims, Sales and Service Operations, and our technical products (Motor and Household). For us, 2024 is about rebuilding our relationship with the regulators and that’s why we’re recruiting for several Head of Risk and Controls roles across the Group!
Anticipating and effectively managing our "people risks" are critical to us as an organisation. Our employees and customers impact everything we do, and how we do it. That's why we're recruiting for a Head of First Line Risk who will work closely with our Chief People Officer and her leadership team.
Purpose of Role
As the Head of (First Line) Risk, you will lead the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) management within the HR function, embedding processes and developing capabilities that continually improve the provision of GRC services to DLG enabling the strategic direction of the enterprise.
You will work as part of a wider ‘3 lines of defense’ - ensuring effective risk and compliance management is undertaken within appropriate risk management frameworks and processes - within and across our third parties. You'll act as subject matter expert for emerging risks, regulatory compliance requirements, and lead on the delivery of the Risk Controls on behalf of your ExCo member.
Most importantly, you’ll help change the culture around risk management in what will be a period of vast business change and transformation!
What you’ll be doing:
You will lead the Governance, Risk and Compliance activity, embedding processes and developing capabilities that continually improve the provision of GRC services to DLG enabling the strategic direction of the enterprise. You will work closely with the Risk Function, ensuring effective risk and compliance management is undertaken within appropriate risk management frameworks and processes.
You'll ensure that we're not only compliant with regulations but fostering a culture of rigorous thinking and careful controls, making the role holder a trusted advisor to the Executive/SMF.
1. Accountable for the Human Resources Risk framework objectives, ensuring they are comprehensive and aligned to the DLG business strategy and risk appetite.
2. Develop department-wide solutions, polices, standards and forward planning to keep up with emerging technologies, industry trends and regulatory change.
3. Create methods to identify key risks that may impact people-related operations, change the delivery of the DLG business strategy or present a threat to DLG risk appetite or compliance status.
4. Drive collaboration across risk functions, operational teams and change programmes to ensure the appropriate technical capacity, capability and knowledge sharing is in place.
5. Make recommendations on design and build of robust GRC solutions and controls to enable delivery of the DLG business strategy. Recommendations should include commercial considerations and future agility of business operations.
6. Drive audit and testing assurance programmes to ensure DLG controls are compliant with regulatory requirements as well internal standards and policies, providing a holistic view of capability across assigned key thematic areas of the DLG control environment.
7. Develop and deliver automated metrics and reports that provide a real time compliance ‘dashboard’ for use at all levels of the organisation and enables tangible and visible risk reduction.
8. Manage and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders within DLG and externally within third parties.
9. Be responsible for information security elements of strategic vendor relationships, developing and maintaining with a holistic view of the relationship between the various parties.
10. Lead and mentor a team of Risk and compliance specialists, facilitating teamwork dynamics and interactions with the business.
11. Encourage questioning and innovative problem solving amongst peers.
What we’re looking for:
12. Significant Risk and Controls experience in a highly regulated business environment, ideally gained in the Insurance industry.
13. A solid understanding of the Human Resources Risk and Governance environment.
14. Proven in-depth experience in leading, managing and delivering governance, risk and assurance initiatives.
15. Inspirational leadership capability, with experience in developing and managing high performance teams through growing people, nurturing trust, and establishing a shared sense of purpose.
16. Project management experience - including presenting to senior stakeholders.
17. Strong collaboration, conflict resolution, influencing and negotiation skills.
18. Demonstrated ability in strong verbal and written communication skills to interface with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
19. Ability to engage people through leading by example and cultivating a culture of transparency and curiosity.
Hybrid Working:
Our hybrid model way of working offers a 'best of both worlds' approach combining the best parts of home and office-working, offering flexibility for everyone. When you'll be in the office depends on your role, but most colleagues are in 2 days a week, and we'll consider the flexible working options that work best for you.
Read our flexible working approach .
Benefits
We wouldn’t be where we are today without our people and the wide variety of perspectives and life experiences they bring. That’s why we offer excellent benefits to suit your lifestyle and a flexible working model combining the best parts of home and office-working, varying with the nature of your role:
20. Generous 9% employer pension. Regardless of whether you contribute into your pension or not, DLG pay 9% into your pension (but you can take this as cash if you want!)
21. Eligibility for annual performance bonus of up to 20%
22. Generous holidays - 30 days annual leave (excluding the bank holidays). Plus, the option of buying or selling upto 5 days each year!
23. 50% off home, motor and pet insurance
24. Free travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover
25. Electric Vehicle car scheme which allows all colleagues to lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid car in a tax efficient way
26. Free private medical cover for you!
27. Buy-as-you-earn share scheme
28. Employee discounts and cashback
Being yourself
Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we think diversity of background and thinking is a big strength in our people. We're delighted to feature as one of the UK's Top 50 Inclusive Employers and are committed to making our business an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves and succeed in their careers.
We know you're more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, are what bring potential to our business. We recognise and embrace people that work in different ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.
Difference makes us who we are. We believe everyone should feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work – that’s why we champion diverse voices, build workplaces that work for people, and invest in the things that matter. From senior leadership to inclusivity networks, adaptive working to inclusion training, we’ve made it our mission to give you everything you need to be authentically you. Discover more at directlinegroupcareers.com!