Quality Assurance Risk Lead

Location: Based at Client office in Suffolk or London with hybrid working available
Status: Contract (renewable) – Inside IR35

Morson Talent are working on behalf of a major player in the Energy Sector who have a current contract requirement for a Quality Assurance Risk Lead to join their expanding team. All work is associated with a major infrastructure Project in Suffolk which has obtained planning approval and Government financing support. The project has started construction and is now seeking private investment. When completed, it will provide dependable electricity to 6 million homes for 60 years, which, as part of the UK energy mix, will support Britain to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Job Purpose / Overview

• The Quality Assurance & Risk Lead within the safety directorate, ensures alignment and integration of assurance activities between Project Delivery (First Line of Defence), Safety Security & Assurance (Second Line of Defence), Independent Nuclear Assurance (Third Line of Defence), and Risk Management.
• This role is key to ensuring that audits, compliance reviews, and risk assessments support project execution while maintaining nuclear safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• This role ensures that assurance activities drive real improvements in project execution, enhance risk awareness, and support nuclear safety and regulatory compliance. It creates a cohesive link between operational assurance and strategic risk management, ensuring that all lines of Defence work together effectively

Principal Accountabilities

Assurance Integration Across Lines of Defence

• Act as the key link between Project Delivery (LoD1), Internal Audit/IMS (LoD2), and Independent Nuclear Assurance (LoD3).
• Ensure that assurance activities are coordinated, avoiding duplication while addressing project risks effectively.
• Integrating risk-based assurance activities into project execution, prioritising high risks areas.
• Work closely with Risk Management teams to ensure that audit findings inform risk registers and mitigation plans.

Risk-Based Audit Planning & Execution

• Develop risk-based audit Schedule aligned with project milestones and critical risk areas.
• Ensure that assurance activities are integrated into project execution.
• Identify emerging risks in project delivery and escalate concerns where necessary.
• Conduct targeted audit/inspections to support a quality or project specific interventions.
• Provide Quality subject matter expertise with functional oversight audits/inspections as the business requires.

Compliance & Non-Conformance Management

• Ensure audit findings and non-conformities are tracked, analysed, and resolved within project execution workflows.
• Facilitate root cause analysis (RCA) for non-conformances and ensure lessons learned are applied across the project.
• Support the monitoring of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to ensure long-term compliance and process improvement.
• Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on audit outcomes, compliance risks, and corrective action status.
• Support Management Reviews by ensuring audit insights contribute to risk-based decision-making.
• Support development of dashboards and metrics to visualize audit progress, assurance coverage, and risk trends.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage credibly at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Ability to influence and drive behavioural change across diverse organizational levels.
• Expert knowledge of Quality Management Systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 19443, ISO 14001, and their interrelation with ISO 45001 and IAEA GSR-2/3.
• Strong understanding of ISO 19011:2015 (Guidelines for auditing management systems).
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with experience engaging external regulatory stakeholders.
• Decisive and credible decision-maker, capable of crafting strong justifications and arguments.
• Experience in leading and managing small teams within an assurance or audit function.

Qualifications & Experience
Essential

• Degree in Engineering, Quality Assurance, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in internal audits, nuclear assurance, or quality/compliance management within complex infrastructure or nuclear projects.
• Strong understanding of the Three Lines of Defence model, risk-based assurance, and ISO management systems (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001).
• Knowledge of nuclear regulatory frameworks and industry standards, such as ONR SAPs and IAEA GSR Part 2.
• Experience working within the UK regulatory environment.
• Proficiency in audit and risk management tools (e.g., Power BI, risk registers, audit tracking systems).
• Strong ability to work across assurance functions, risk management, and project teams.

Desirable

• Lead Auditor certification (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001).
• Technical knowledge of nuclear safety design and quality management.
• Experience working with regulators in a dynamic environment.
• Problem-solving expertise within complex infrastructure projects.
• Previous experience in the nuclear industry.