Director of Corporate Governance

Director of Corporate Governance

Location: Essex
Salary: Competitive | Executive Leadership Team
Permanent | Full-Time

Salary - up to £130,000 Per Annum (Agenda for Change Band 9)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Director of Corporate Governance to join the Executive Leadership Team of a large and complex organisation.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this is a high-profile leadership position providing independent assurance and expert advice on governance, accountability, risk and organisational decision-making.

You will act as a trusted adviser to the Chair, Chief Executive, Board and Board Committees, helping ensure the organisation operates with the highest standards of transparency, integrity and accountability.

The Role

You will take strategic ownership of the organisation's corporate governance framework, with responsibility for:

• Leading the corporate governance strategy and framework.
• Advising the Board, Chair, Chief Executive and Executive Team on governance and accountability.
• Leading the development and oversight of the Board Assurance Framework.
• Supporting effective decision-making, regulatory compliance and organisational accountability.
• Leading Corporate Governance and Executive Assistant functions.
• Acting as the senior lead for Information Governance, including data protection, records management, information security and Freedom of Information.
• Providing independent challenge and assurance to senior leaders and Board members around governance and risk.
• Supporting Board effectiveness and ensuring governance arrangements align with strategic objectives.

About You

We're looking for a highly credible, politically astute and strategically minded governance professional who can operate confidently at Board and Executive level.

You'll ideally bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a large, complex organisation.
• Extensive experience advising Boards, Chairs, Chief Executives and Executive Teams.
• A strong background in corporate governance, assurance, compliance or company secretariat functions.
• Expertise across governance frameworks, risk management, Board assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The confidence to provide independent judgement and constructive challenge.
• The ability to operate strategically while maintaining strong attention to detail.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Master's degree or equivalent experience gained through senior governance leadership.
• Professional qualification in governance, law, company secretariat, public administration or a related discipline.

Desirable:

• Chartered Governance Institute (CGIUKI) qualification or equivalent.
• Additional leadership, risk management or information governance qualification.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to take a Board-level governance position with genuine organisational influence, working directly alongside senior leadership to shape governance, accountability and strategic decision-making.

You'll join an organisation committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment, with opportunities for development, flexible working and a strong focus on employee wellbeing.

If you're an experienced governance leader ready to take on a highly influential Executive-level appointment, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.