Head of Operational Assurance

Head of Operational Assurance (37 hours per week Permanent)

Location: Contractual base in Salvus House Durham with hybrid working opportunities

Salary Range from: 70667 plus a discretionary bonus potential of up to 12% of annual salary

Job Level: B

Reporting to: Director of Operations

We want our people to have a great work-life balance and support flexible working in terms of a hybrid model and varying start and finish times in some teams where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.

ABOUT US

Wave is a leading national business water retailer helping over 300000 customers across the UK to benefit from the non-household water market. Were dedicated to helping businesses lower water use be more water efficient and reduce costs all which helped us earn all which helped us proudly earn the Water Retailer of the Year award in 2021 reclaim the title in 2023. Most recently we celebrated the win again in 2025 where the judges highlighted our commitment to social value and sustainability as well as our market-leading customer service. Our vision is to be the most customer-focused utility delivering value and efficiency in everything we do making a positive difference to the environment and society.

The culture at Wave is like nowhere else. Were committed to a happy healthy place to work and have a working environment which supports continuous learning and development one where people can really flourish. Our people are at the centre of everything we do. Joining us means youd be part of a team of over 300 people working flexibly across two UK based offices. Youll find a real focus on employee wellbeing and some great benefits too. We expect great things from you and we give great things back.

THE ROLE IN A NUTSHELL

The Head of Operational Assurance is a strategic peopleled role responsible for strengthening operational performance consistency and resilience across the organisation. The role acts as a bridge between data operations and change - translating complex performance risk and insight into clear actions scalable processes and sustainable improvements. It leads largescale operational change embeds robust controls and ways of working and drives continuous improvement through strong crossfunctional collaboration. Ultimately the role ensures operations are compliant efficient wellgoverned and ready to support growth while developing teams and fostering a culture of accountability engagement and operational excellence.

Youll be directly managing three people leaders covering data integrity account resolution and revenue assurance. These areas are being bought under this role to create synergy bringing teams closer together who are working towards the same goals. Youll be using these teams insights as well as guiding their focus and priority areas which will then need to be delivered across Wave.

WHAT WILL YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE

• At a high level the Head of Operational Assurance spends their time ensuring the organisations operations are performing safely consistently and effectively while translating insight into meaningful improvement.
• Oversight and insight understanding operational performance risk controls and emerging issues through data assurance and listening to the business.
• Leadership and governance guiding conversations challenging constructively and ensuring decisions are wellinformed and aligned to risk appetite.
• Change and improvement embedding better ways of working strengthening controls and ensuring assurance findings lead to lasting outcomes rather than reports.
• Influence and communication working across operations risk change and leadership to turn complexity into clarity and action.
• Futureproofing anticipating risks pressures and impacts of change to keep operations resilient and ready.

WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU

Skills/ Experience

• Senior operational leadership experience within complex largescale environments
• Strong background in operational assurance risk controls or governance
• Ability to interpret data and assurance insight to identify systemic issues and priorities
• Proven capability to drive and embed sustainable operational change
• Confident influencer who can challenge and engage executives constructively
• Calm resilient leader with strong judgement integrity and an outcomesfocused mindset

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU

Wealth

• Excellent pension scheme - we will double match your contribution up to a maximum of 5% employee contribution and 10% from Wave
• Bonus potential
• Perkbox membership with a vast range of perks - high street savings (fashion retailers supermarkets and restaurants) discounted cinema tickets travel and holiday discounts and online fitness classes
• Income protection scheme
• Personal accident insurance
• 4x salary life assurance
• Free onsite parking

Time off

• 24 days holiday rising to 26 (plus bank holidays)
• A day off for your birthday
• Half a day on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve
• The option to buy holidays
• 1 day paid volunteering

Wellbeing

• Hybrid/Flexible working
• Healthcare cashback and treatment scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual conference and Christmas party
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Free flu shots

Family Friendly

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Enhanced shared parental and adoption leave
• We care about you as an employee and have a range of resources available to both you and your family

To apply please ensure you attach your CV and a covering letter so we can get to know more about your skills and experience and why you are suitable for this role. We will not be able to consider applications without a covering letter.

Closing date: 4pm on 2 June 2026

Interviews are planned for w/c 22 June 2026

Please refer to the essential criteria in the job description as this is what you will be shortlisted against.

For external candidates you can access the job description here.

For internal candidates you can access the job description here.

Wave is committed to making a positive difference to the environment and society in which it operates. If you are excited to join a dynamic growing business which cares about its people we would love to hear from you.

BE YOURSELF OUR DIFFERENCES MAKE US STRONGER

Wave is proud to be an inclusive employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. We will take into consideration any adjustments or individual requirements at any stage of your recruitment journey. If you require any additional support related to menopause neurodiversity or any other reason please do let us know by contacting .

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Required Experience:

Director