Director of Governance / University Secretary

Director of Governance/University Secretary

£Competitive, Hertfordshire, Hybrid

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspirational and strategic leader to join a globally recognised higher education institution as University Secretary/Director of Governance.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and supporting the Executive Committee, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping governance and compliance functions to meet the institution’s evolving strategic needs.

If you are passionate about governance and are keen to take the next step in your career, then do get in touch!

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance
• Lead the governance team in providing high-quality support to Council, all its subcommittees, delivering effective administration, logistics and information flows as required
• Provide expert guidance on HE governance principles and best practice
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership to develop and embed governance frameworks
• Act as the University’s Data Protection Officer, leading on all aspects of information governance and compliance

Experience and Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior governance role, ideally within Higher Education (HE)
• An excellent understanding of the contemporary HE environment and how this is affected by developments in the wider economy and society
• CGI qualified (desirable)

Attitudes and Behaviours

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and influence
• High levels of resilience, energy, and strategic vision
• A high level of personal drive, energy and resilience

Offering a competitive base salary and a hybrid working model of 60% in office, 40% from home following the completion of induction.

Our client is open to seeing candidates looking to consider the role on either a permanent or interim basis.

**Please note, applications for this role will close on 17th September 2025.

At The Core Partnership, we embrace diversity and believe in the inherent value of every individual. Our commitment to inclusivity extends beyond mere words; it’s ingrained in our core values of humanity, passion, honesty, and commitment. We therefore welcome all applicants, regardless of ethnicity or cultural background, age, gender, gender identity, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

We strive to create an environment where every person feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed both internally and for the roles we recruit for. If you require any adjustments to facilitate your application process, please let us know.

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