Temporary or Permanent: What Type of Risk Assurance Professional Does Your Business Need?

At Broster Buchanan, we understand that businesses with risk functions face increasing pressure to remain compliant, manage risk, and respond to rapidly changing regulations. As a result, building a strong risk assurance team has never been more important. But when it comes to recruitment, one question we hear frequently is: “Should we be looking for permanent or temporary professionals?”

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as both temporary and permanent hires offer distinct advantages. Here’s our guide to help you decide which type of risk assurance professional is the best fit for your business needs.

When to Consider Temporary Professionals

Temporary workers can be a great solution when your business needs to address short-term demands or niche projects. Here’s why bringing in temporary professionals might be the right approach:

1. Flexibility for Short-Term Needs If your business is going through a particularly busy period—perhaps due to a regulatory audit, internal restructuring, or a major project—temporary professionals provide the flexibility to increase your team’s capacity without committing to a long-term hire. This allows you to scale your team up or down as required, responding quickly to shifting priorities.
2. Specialised Expertise on Demand Temporary professionals often bring specific expertise that can be critical for certain projects. Whether you need someone with a deep understanding of a new regulation or experience in managing a high-stakes compliance audit, temporary workers can offer targeted skills that may not be available within your current team.
3. Faster Hiring Process Temporary recruitment is often much quicker than sourcing for permanent roles. At Broster Buchanan, we maintain an extensive network of pre-vetted risk assurance professionals who are ready to step in at short notice. This speed-to-hire can be essential when your business is facing time-sensitive risk challenges.
4. Cost Efficiency Hiring a temporary worker allows you to control costs more effectively. You only pay for the expertise when you need it, without the long-term financial commitments associated with permanent employees, such as benefits, pension schemes, and ongoing training. This makes temporary professionals a cost-effective solution during peak periods or specific projects.

When a Permanent Hire Is the Right Choice

For businesses looking to strengthen their risk function over the long term, a permanent hire may be a more strategic option. Here are some scenarios where hiring a permanent risk assurance professional makes sense:

1. Long-Term Business Continuity Risk assurance is a critical, ongoing function for most businesses. If you need someone who can manage risks and ensure compliance over the long term, a permanent hire will provide the stability your business needs. Permanent employees tend to have more in-depth knowledge of your company’s culture, processes, and goals, which can lead to stronger risk management.
2. Developing Internal Expertise A permanent hire allows your business to invest in the development of internal expertise. Over time, these employees build a deep understanding of your organisation’s risk landscape, becoming more valuable as they grow with the business. This continuity and internal development can be particularly important in industries with complex or evolving regulations.
3. Building a Cohesive Team Permanent employees contribute to building a cohesive and aligned team. They are likely to have stronger engagement with your organisation’s values and culture, which can lead to better collaboration and a more unified approach to managing risks.
4. Reduced Reliance on External Support If your risk assurance function is largely dependent on temporary professionals, it might be worth considering how a permanent hire could reduce this reliance. While temporary workers provide valuable support during busy periods, a permanent team member can offer a consistent presence and help create a more sustainable risk management strategy.

How Broster Buchanan Can Help

At Broster Buchanan, we specialise in understanding your specific business needs, helping you determine whether a temporary or permanent hire is the right fit for your risk assurance function. Our extensive network of risk assurance professionals includes both temporary and permanent candidates, meaning we can support your recruitment strategy, whatever your immediate or long-term requirements may be.

Whether you need the agility and specialised skills of a temporary worker or the long-term commitment and continuity of a permanent hire, we have the expertise to help you build a risk assurance team that strengthens your business.

Conclusion

Both temporary and permanent risk assurance professionals bring valuable benefits to businesses, but the right choice depends on your current challenges and future goals. If you’re looking for flexible support during peak periods, temporary professionals can step in with the skills you need, when you need them. For businesses focused on long-term stability and team building, a permanent hire might be the better investment.

At Broster Buchanan, we’re here to guide you through the decision-making process, ensuring that your risk function is always supported by the right talent. Get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can help you navigate your recruitment needs in risk assurance.