BRE contributes to a thriving and sustainable world by developing science-led solutions to built environment challenges. Our vision is to be the world-leading innovation, science, and data hub for the built environment. We’re ambitious in terms of quality and global scope. We want governments and commercial markets to recognise us and demand our services, products and solutions. We want to be world-class, innovative, science-led and provide solutions.
This is a fixed term contract for 12 months
We are looking for candidates who can start in early April
Interview schedule:
Round one - 17th to 21st March (virtual)
Round two - 24th to 31st March (virtual)
Place of work:
This role is mostly remote, allowing you to work from home most of the week. You may be required to be present at our head office in Watford once per week.
Join BRE and help shape the future of risk and governance in a world-leading organisation.
At BRE, we are dedicated to advancing the built environment through rigorous research, certification, and expert advisory services. With a global presence and a strong reputation for quality and innovation, we are looking for a dynamic Head of Risk and Internal Audit to strengthen our internal controls, risk management, and corporate governance framework.
This is a high-profile leadership role, reporting to the Director of Legal and maintaining a direct reporting line to the Risk and Audit Committee Chair, ensuring objectivity and independence. You will play a critical role in embedding a risk-aware culture, driving business resilience, and ensuring accountability across the organisation.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Leading Internal Audit & Assurance – Develop and implement a risk-based internal audit plan, ensuring alignment with BRE’s business strategy.
* Enhancing Risk Management – Oversee and refine our risk management framework, delivering an effective risk register and ensuring timely action tracking.
* Governance & Compliance – Own and manage audit action tracking, support governance processes, and prepare reports for the Risk and Audit Committee.
* Stakeholder Engagement – Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team, fostering a culture of risk awareness and strong corporate governance.
* Managing External Partnerships – Collaborate with external auditors and outsourced providers when required.
* People management - You will have line management responsibility for two direct reports
What We’re Looking For
* Proven leadership in risk and internal audit – Experience at Head of Risk, Head of Internal Audit, or Senior Manager level, ideally in a complex, regulated environment.
* Deep expertise in internal controls & governance – Strong technical knowledge of risk frameworks (e.g., COSO, ISO 31000), audit methodologies, and compliance best practices.
* Strategic mindset with operational agility – Ability to drive change, streamline processes, and embed effective risk management across the organisation.
* Stakeholder management & influencing skills – Ability to engage and advise senior leadership, reporting effectively to Audit Committees and Boards.
* Qualifications (desirable but not essential) – CMIIA, CIA, ACA, ACCA, IRM certification, or equivalent professional qualifications.
This role requires a hands-on leader who can blend strategic oversight with practical execution, ensuring that risk and governance remain at the heart of BRE’s operations.
Why Join BRE?
We offer a competitive salary (reviewed annually) as well as a wide range of financial, wellbeing, and career development benefits:
* 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
* Pension scheme with 5% employer match & life assurance (4x salary)
* HealthPartners – cashback on prescriptions, dental care, physiotherapy, and more
* Onsite restaurant, nursery & free parking (including at-cost EV charging points)
* Learning & development opportunities – free access to the BRE Academy & Percipio, plus professional membership reimbursement
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you are a resilient leader with a passion for risk, audit, and governance, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of a team driving excellence and accountability at BRE.
Apply Now
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