Job Description

The Head of Assurance leads the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of Betfred’s Second Line Assurance Framework. This is a senior role within the Governance & Assurance function, responsible for providing independent oversight and challenge across regulatory compliance, financial crime, operational controls, and risk management activities.

The role will play a critical part in protecting Betfred’s licence to operate by ensuring robust assurance over compliance with UK Gambling Commission requirements, anti-money laundering obligations, fraud prevention controls, and wider regulatory expectations.

Working closely with Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, Internal Audit, and Executive stakeholders, the Head of Assurance will drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and proactive control management across the organisation. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong technical expertise, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence at Executive and Board level.

Responsibilities

2nd Line Assurance Framework

• Design, implement, and continuously enhance Betfred’s enterprise wide Second Line Assurance Framework
• Develop and maintain a risk-based assurance plan aligned to regulatory, financial crime, operational, and conduct risks
• Establish consistent assurance methodologies, standards, reporting, and governance across the organisation
• Ensure assurance activities are proportionate, data-driven, and aligned to regulatory expectations and industry best practice
• Define assurance coverage across key regulatory obligations, controls, policies, and processes
• Coordinate assurance activities to minimise duplication and maximise insight across Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit functions

Regulatory Compliance Assurance

• Provide independent oversight and assurance over compliance with UK Gambling Commission Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP)
• Lead thematic reviews and deep-dive assurance assessments across key regulatory risk areas
• Assess the design and operational effectiveness of regulatory controls and governance arrangements
• Monitor emerging regulatory developments and ensure assurance activity evolves in line with changing expectations
• Support readiness for regulatory inspections, reviews, and external scrutiny
• Provide robust challenge and oversight to ensure identified issues are effectively remediated

Financial Crime Assurance

• Lead and oversee complex assurance reviews across operational, regulatory, and financial crime risk areas
• Ensure assurance reviews are evidence-based, proportionate, and delivered to a high professional standard
• Produce clear, concise, and commercially focused assurance reports with practical recommendations
• Provide independent challenge to senior stakeholders on risk management, control effectiveness, and regulatory compliance
• Escalate material concerns, control weaknesses, or emerging risks appropriately
• Maintain effective issue tracking and validation processes to ensure sustainable remediation

Reporting & Governance

• Develop high-quality management information and assurance reporting for Executive Committees and Board Committees
• Provide insight into assurance outcomes, control effectiveness, emerging risks, and thematic trends
• Support governance committees with clear reporting, challenge, and recommendations
• Ensure robust documentation, audit trails, and evidence management for all assurance activities
• Contribute to the ongoing development of governance and assurance strategies across the organisation

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong and credible relationships across Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, Product, and Executive leadership teams
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on assurance, regulatory, and financial crime matters
• Influence positive control environments and drive accountability for remediation activities
• Promote a strong culture of compliance, transparency, and continuous improvement
• Support training and awareness initiatives relating to assurance, regulatory obligations, and financial crime risks

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Support the continued development and maturity of the Assurance function
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in assurance methodologies, tooling, and reporting capabilities
• Promote the use of data analytics and technology-enabled assurance techniques where appropriate
• Mentor and develop team members to build a high-performing assurance capability
• Maintain awareness of industry best practice, regulatory expectations, and emerging risks across the gambling sector

This list is not exhaustive and additional duties may be required that are considered reasonalble and are alligned to the role

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Significant experience within Assurance, Risk, Compliance, Financial Crime, Internal Audit, or related control functions within a regulated environment
• Strong understanding of UK Gambling Commission regulatory requirements and expectations
• Deep knowledge of financial crime risk management, including AML, fraud, sanctions, and customer risk controls
• Proven experience developing and implementing assurance or oversight frameworks
• Experience delivering risk-based assurance reviews and assessing control effectiveness
• Strong understanding of governance, risk, and control frameworks
• Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgement
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capability
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution

Desirable

• Experience within the gambling sector or similarly regulated industries
• Professional qualification in Audit, Risk, Compliance, Financial Crime, or related disciplines
• Experience engaging with regulators or supporting regulatory inspections and reviews
• Familiarity with assurance, GRC, or case management systems
• Experience using data analytics or technology-enabled assurance techniques
• Understanding of Three Lines of Defence / Three Lines Model principles

Personal Attributes

• Credible and confident leader with strong influencing skills
• Commercially aware with sound judgement and decision-making capability
• Highly organised and detail-oriented
• Resilient and calm under pressure
• Proactive, solutions-focused, and delivery-oriented
• Collaborative approach with the ability to challenge constructively
• Strong commitment to continuous improvement and high professional standards