Head of Governance - Non-profit organisation | London/Remote

Our client is now seeking a Head of Governance on a full-time basis to work across all the departments in UK and Ireland, overseeing governance and the development and engagement of the association. The role acts as Company Secretary to provide advice and operational support to both the Board and Executive. In particular, the role takes responsibility for assuring development and engagement of the associative voice and good governance and decision making in the Board and Executive. You will have 3 roles report in including one job share (Association Board Coordinator).

Working hours are 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri. The team attend the office in London 2 days a week and 3 days from home.

Salary is competitive depending on experience.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Together with the Head of Policy, Risk and Planning and Safeguarding Lead, provide senior leadership to the EO function to ensure it delivers on its mission and is a cohesive high functioning team.
• In consultation with the Chair and Executive, develop and implement a strategy for developing and maintaining a vibrant, active and engaged association.
• Liaise with colleagues across the movement on shared priorities for the Associative function.
• Lead activities to develop and engage the association, including all communications, events and coordination of the AGM.
• Development of internal communication coordination and policies and guidance.
• Development and line management of the associative and governance team.
• Support the Chair and Chief Executive in fostering collegiate and constructive ways of working between the Board, its Committees and the Executive.
• Lead the authoring and updating of a suite of corporate governance tools (eg, internal governance codes and frameworks) that assist with embedding and driving forward good governance at all times.
• Act as Company Secretary to provide advice and guidance to the Board and Executive in heeding governance legislation and best practice and ensure that all Company Secretarial tasks are fulfilled.
• Oversee the management of Board and Executive governance meetings, including practical arrangements and information resources and appropriate records are kept of Board, Committee and Executive meetings including timely production of minutes, attendance registers, agendas and papers.
• Develop performance information and KPIs on association, governance and compliance for the Board and Executive Team.
• Oversee and periodically review the overall governance framework for the organisation; ensure it is fit for purpose and provides clearly accountable decision making and oversight.
• Development of an internal audit programme.
• Managing complaints relating to governance and decision-making.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Establish the Governance and Association group within the wider Executive Office team.
• Delivery of a lively and engaging AGM 2024 programme.
• Proactive and responsive advice and support provided to the Board and Executive to facilitate effective decision-making processes.
• Baseline Performance indicators on association engagement, governance and compliance developed and implemented.

• Oversee development of governance workplan linked to strategic priorities, annual plan and movement associative topics.
• Oversee development of an annual internal communications plan.
• Management and support of team as a collective and individual member including annual performance reviews.
• Relevant complaints are responded to in accordance with the Complaints Policy.

• Scoping of an internal audit programme.
• Experience of, or qualification in, operating in a formal governance system as a secretariat function to schedule an annual governance cycle, set agendas, commission papers, assemble meeting packs, produce actions/meeting notes and monitor progress against these.

PERSON SPECIFICATION / SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience engaging and operating in an associative or similar organisational structure.
• Experience as a leader and manager, including teams and budgets.
• Experience building and maintaining high functioning small teams.
• Experience in stakeholder management with senior executives and non-executives and wider staff or associative groups.
• Experience in communication for internal and/or quasi-internal audiences.
• Excellent oral and written communication and editorial skills.
• Proficient experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to prioritise competing demands and manage expectations from multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to act autonomously, focussing on the long-term adaptive challenge while delivering on the short-term quick wins.
• Ability to actively listen, understand and accommodate the views of others while still achieving policy objectives and asserting legal, regulatory, contractual or other non- negotiable points diplomatically.
• Ability to connect networks of ideas and work flexibly switching between topics as required.
• Ability to remain focused and calm under pressure in order to deal with ambiguities and conflict.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills, with proven ability to work cooperatively in a networked organisation.
• Social and communication skills, able to operate with integrity, diplomacy, tact, and empathy.
• Ability to think systemically and structure information and workflow.
• Ethical judgement, critical thinking, and ability to analyse risk and issues to produce recommendations.
• Coaching and ability to support team development and direct reports to develop individually and as a team.
• Written skills able to produce a wide variety of products from short briefings to governance papers and detailed policies and procedures.

If you would like to be considered for the role, please get in touch.
Closing date for submissions - Friday 17th November.