Governance Manager

Governance Manager
Resources
Full-time
Permanent
£49,962 per annum
Application Deadline: 12pm (midday) on 2 February 2021

The British Museum is unique in bringing together under one roof the cultures of the world, spanning continents and oceans. No other museum is responsible for collections of the same depth and breadth, beauty, and significance. Its eight million objects allow us to explore the extraordinary diversity of human cultures, from small communities to vast empires, to discover the many forms and expressions human beings have given to every aspect of life, and to realise how closely they are interconnected.

The main purpose of this role is to provide professional governance advice and exemplary secretariat support for the Board of Trustees, its committees, Directorate Group, Management Group, and BM subsidiaries. The post-holder will also be responsible for managing the BM’s policies and associated procedures, managing the Museum’s public affairs activity, and managing a high-performing team providing support to the Director and Trustees.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Ensuring the efficient and effective management of Board and committee business to include: acting as secretary to the Board, Standing Committee and Nominations and Remuneration Committee; scheduling meetings and planning agendas for all Board and committees; taking minutes; managing the Trustee and co-opted committee member appointment and induction process including seeking appropriate approvals and ensuring full compliance; managing the annual Board performance review; maintaining a Register of Interests; supporting other committee secretaries as required; and providing governance advice to Trustees and BM staff.
• Overseeing the BM’s Public Affairs activity, ensuring that it supports the Museum’s strategic priorities. 
• Leading, motivating, managing, and developing the Director’s Office team, ensuring that team objectives are met to a high standard and that personal development needs are met.
• Advising on the governance implications of Museum activity, as required and in liaison with colleagues across the administration departments to ensure seamless support.

Person specification:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Previous experience in a secretariat, governance or policy function for a comparable organisation.
• Experience of advising successfully on legal and governance matters.
• Good technical knowledge of governance requirements.
• Diplomacy and discretion.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken,  and confident in working with senior people.
• High standards of administration as well as strong planning and organisational skills.

For more information about this role, please see the job description.

Benefits:

The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including, but not limited to:

• Membership of one of the Civil Service Pension schemes
• Generous holiday and parental leave entitlement
• Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
• Interest free loans for season tickets, bicycles and rental deposits
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Occupational health service and Employee assistance programme
• Discounts on restaurants, eye care and gift shop purchases

Additional details:

The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.

We are currently piloting a flexible way of working that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.