Governance Manager

Governance Manager

Location: London, hybrid working

Contract: Permanent

We are recruiting a Governance Manager on behalf of an established not-for-profit organisation.

This is an opportunity for an experienced governance professional to work closely with senior leaders and trustees, strengthening governance arrangements and supporting effective decision-making.

Combining advisory responsibilities with practical delivery, you will oversee board and committee processes, coordinate statutory requirements and help improve how governance operates across the organisation.

The role

You will provide a reliable, professional governance service, ensuring that meetings, records, appointments and reporting requirements are managed accurately and on time.

An important part of the position will involve reviewing existing arrangements, identifying improvements and translating recommendations into clear, workable processes.

Key responsibilities

Governance and improvement

• Advise trustees, committee members and senior colleagues on governance procedures, responsibilities and good practice.
• Coordinate reviews of governance arrangements and support the implementation of agreed improvements.
• Maintain terms of reference, delegated authorities, policies and other core governance documents.
• Manage the annual governance calendar, ensuring business is scheduled appropriately and key deadlines are met.
• Improve the consistency and efficiency of governance administration, records and reporting.

Board and committee support

• Coordinate board, committee and working group meetings, including scheduling, logistics and circulation of papers.
• Work with chairs and senior colleagues to prepare agendas, briefings and supporting documents.
• Produce clear, accurate minutes that capture decisions and agreed actions.
• Maintain action trackers and decision records, following up with colleagues to ensure timely completion.
• Draft governance reports and papers as required.
• Maintain registers of interests and support the appropriate management of potential conflicts.

Appointments and member engagement

• Coordinate elections and appointments, working with internal colleagues and external providers where needed.
• Support succession planning, recruitment and induction for trustees and other governance participants.
• Arrange training and development to help board and committee members fulfil their responsibilities.
• Organise annual and extraordinary general meetings, including notices, papers, voting arrangements and records.

Compliance and information governance

• Coordinate statutory submissions and maintain accurate corporate records.
• Monitor relevant governance developments and help keep organisational procedures up to date.
• Oversee information governance policies and support colleagues in applying good data protection practices.
• Coordinate responses to data incidents, including regulatory reporting where required.
• Maintain oversight of the contracts register and support the administration of complaints.
• Ensure published governance information remains accurate and accessible.

About you

You will be a confident, organised governance professional who can build effective relationships with senior stakeholders while maintaining discretion and sound judgement.

You will bring:

• Substantial experience supporting boards, trustees, committees or senior leadership groups.
• A strong understanding of governance structures, committee procedures and delegated decision-making.
• Experience preparing agendas, coordinating papers and writing accurate minutes.
• The ability to manage competing deadlines and a varied workload with considerable independence.
• Excellent written communication skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• A diplomatic approach to sensitive matters and a strong commitment to confidentiality.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office and shared document management systems.
• A practical, collaborative approach to improving processes.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

A full or partial Chartered Governance Institute qualification, or equivalent practical experience, is required. Experience within a charity, professional body, membership organisation or public sector setting would be particularly relevant.