Head of Digital Systems Assurance & Compliance

Head of Digital Systems, Assurance & Compliance Permanent | Hybrid, Preston| Digital Governance | Cyber Assurance We are seeking a Head of Digital Systems Assurance & Compliance to lead the development, implementation and ongoing management of a comprehensive technology assurance and compliance framework across a large-scale, complex organisation. In this role, you will establish governance standards, drive assurance activities across digital and technology environments, and ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual and corporate requirements. You will work closely with technology leadership, cyber security teams, service providers, business stakeholders and audit functions to embed a culture of risk-based assurance and continuous improvement. Responsibilities: • Define, implement and maintain a digital systems assurance and compliance framework across multiple business areas. • Lead assurance activities across technology and cyber domains, ensuring consistent governance and control standards. • Establish and oversee a network of system and control owners, ensuring clear accountability across the organisation. • Partner with technology, security and business leaders to embed assurance and compliance throughout the technology lifecycle. • Provide expert guidance on regulatory, contractual and industry compliance requirements. • Lead engagement with internal and external audit teams, coordinating remediation activities and ensuring successful resolution of findings. • Develop reporting and escalation processes that provide visibility of compliance performance, risks and improvement initiatives. • Lead and develop a specialist assurance team, creating a high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence. Skills & Experience: • Extensive experience leading technology assurance, governance, compliance or risk management functions within complex organisations. • Strong understanding of cyber security assurance, technology governance frameworks and audit processes. • Experience working with highly regulated environments and government or defence-related compliance requirements. • Excellent understanding of technology infrastructure, systems development lifecycles and enterprise technology environments. • Proven ability to develop and implement governance frameworks across large organisations. • Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships across technical and business functions. • Strong leadership experience, including building, developing and managing specialist teams. • Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills. • Ability to make strategic decisions in complex and ambiguous environments. • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. • Relevant professional certifications or postgraduate qualifications would be advantageous. Desirable Skills: • Experience implementing assurance frameworks across multiple business units or geographies. • Knowledge of technology assurance within engineering, manufacturing or highly regulated industries. • Experience supporting bids, tenders or customer compliance activities. • Understanding of enterprise architecture, technology strategy and digital transformation programmes. • Experience working with outsourced technology providers and managed service environments. • Relevant industry certifications in governance, risk, compliance or cyber security. This role is responsible for leading technology assurance, governance and compliance activities across a complex digital environment, ensuring systems, controls and processes meet regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements. Working across cyber security, audit, risk management and enterprise technology functions, you will dev