Service Lead – Governance, Risk and Compliance

Service Lead – Governance, Risk and Compliance

£69,852 per annum - Grade 11 Leeds / Hybrid

Full time - 37 hours per week

Permanent

Closing date - Sunday 23 August 2026 at 23:55

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share. We currently have a vacancy for a Service Lead – Governance, Risk and Compliance to join our Legal, Governance and Compliance Service.

The Combined Authority’s in-house Legal, Governance and Compliance team forms an important part in the process to enable the delivery of projects within a clear governance framework.

Governance, Risk and Compliance Services provide a dual role of enabling and protecting the authority to deliver on its priorities. It supports the organisation to operate within the appropriate governance and assurance framework, providing the necessary oversight and guidance, working collaboratively with a ‘whole system’ approach. This includes identifying collective issues, inconsistencies and gaps across the Combined Authority and providing holistic solutions.

To support the continued growth of this area, we are expanding our in-house Governance, Risk and Compliance team. As the Service Lead – Governance, Risk and Compliance, you will lead the delivery of a comprehensive, strategic, cohesive and efficient governance, risk and compliance function. Working closely with senior leaders across the Authority, you will shape and influence a function that both enables and protects the organisation, driving a culture of accountability, transparency and robust assurance that supports the successful delivery of our priorities.

Whilst we are seeking candidates with experience in governance, risk and compliance, we recognise that these skills can be developed through a variety of professional backgrounds. We would therefore also welcome applications from legally qualified professionals who can demonstrate strong experience in governance, assurance, regulatory compliance or organisational risk management. If your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the role and you are passionate about driving high standards of governance and accountability, we would love to hear from you.

Our Offer

· Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.

· Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.

· Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).

· Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

· Investing in you – Take advantage of supported professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.

· Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.

· Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.

· Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.

· Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role

Reporting into Assistant Director of Legal, Governance and Compliance your key responsibilities will include:

· Ensure the Authority complies with all national and local statutory requirements. policies and procedures to contribute to the efficiency, effectiveness, reputation, compliance and fiduciary requirements of the Authority and that assurance becomes embedded as a constant management process.

· Drive a culture of assurance and accountability at all levels across the Authority, engaging senior leaders to provide visible and collective ownership and leadership of good governance. This includes leading work on governance improvement and develop streamlined processes that reflect and continuously adapt to support strategic, operational and financial objectives with the level of assurance activity supporting achievement of priority outcomes and proportionate to the level of risk.

· Champion transparency and openness, ensuring that mechanisms to enable member, stakeholder and public scrutiny, oversight and support are operating effectively, and to work collaboratively with other service areas who have complementary responsibilities for assurance and accountability to provide a cohesive whole with clear lines of responsibility and function.

Please review the Role Profile for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

· Hold a degree in a matter relevant to one or more of the functional areas of the service or relevant demonstrable practical experience.

· Relevant professional qualification related to one or more of the functional areas of the service.

· Practical experience of successfully performing in a similar role.

· Substantial knowledge of the governance and legislative environment of public sector organisations, ideally within a local government setting.

· Knowledge and understanding of the CIPFA/SOLACE Governance Framework.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form on our website and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met. Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis.