Head of Governance (Company Secretary) (Internal)

Job Advert

Please note, this vacancy closes at 12pm, midday, on  2nd November 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Job Profile

Job Title: Head of Governance (Company Secretary)

Hours: 35, Full-time

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £74,051.95

Interviews:

First stage w/c 9th November

Second stage w/c 16th November

Reporting to: Group Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for: Governance and Legal Support Officer, Governance and Executive Support Officer

Purpose of the role

To provide strategic leadership of governance, assurance and company secretarial services across United Welsh Group, ensuring the organisation maintains the highest standards of governance, regulatory compliance, board effectiveness and assurance.

The postholder will act as the Group Company Secretary and trusted adviser to the Board, Chair, Committee Chairs, Chief Executive and Executive Team. You'll help ensure our governance arrangements support good decision-making, accountability and the delivery of great services for customers

You will lead the governance and assurance framework, provide independent governance advice, oversee risk and assurance reporting, and ensure the organisation can demonstrate robust stewardship, accountability and regulatory confidence.

The role will have direct access to the Chair, Committee Chairs and Chief Executive on matters of governance, constitutional compliance, regulatory concern, probity or assurance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Governance Leadership

- Provide strategic leadership of the governance function and promote a culture of effective governance throughout the Group.

- Provide expert governance, constitutional and regulatory advice to the Board, committees and Executive team. Drive continuous improvement activity and ensure governance arrangements evolve to meet best practice, regulatory expectations and organisational complexity.

- Horizon scan for changes in legislation, regulation and governance practice and advise the Board and Executive accordingly.

Company Secretarial Duties

- Act as Company Secretary for United Welsh and its subsidiary companies.

- Ensure compliance with constitutional documents, Rules, standing orders and statutory obligations.

- Ensure the meetings of the primary governing bodies within United Welsh Group are serviced appropriately, are well-managed, receiving information that is necessary and sufficient for them to manage the business; and that all such meetings are minuted.

- Maintain appropriate governance arrangements for subsidiary entities.

- Oversee FCA, Companies House, and other statutory filing and reporting requirements.

- Maintain statutory registers and governance records.

- Support execution of corporate contracts and governance approvals.

- Ensure appropriate management of declarations of interest, conflicts of interest and governance probity arrangements.

Board & Committee Effectiveness

- Oversee the Board and Committee governance framework, supporting effective operation of the Board, Committees and subsidiary boards.

- Support the Chair in maintaining an effective Board.

- Coordinate Board and Committee annual work planning.

- Oversee Board recruitment, succession planning, induction and development.

- Oversee periodic reviews of Board effectiveness and governance performance.

- Ensure Board decisions are accurately recorded.

- Ensure effective information flow between Board, Committees and Executive Team.

Assurance, Risk and Compliance

- Provide strategic leadership of the Group’s internal audit and assurance framework, acting as the principal contact with internal auditors and ensuring the Board and Audit and Risk Committee receive robust, risk-based assurance on governance, internal controls, regulatory compliance and organisational performance.

- Oversee corporate risk reporting, assurance mapping and the identification of governance risks through the risk management framework.

- Oversee regulatory assurance processes, evidence management and compliance monitoring relating to governance policies and standards.

- Provide independent challenge on governance, assurance and compliance matters.

- Hold overall accountability for United Welsh’s approach to Data Protection, ensuring effective governance, oversight and assurance are in place to support compliance with relevant data protection legislation.

- Act as United Welsh’s Data Protection Officer (DPO), providing independent advice, challenge and oversight on data protection matters, including advising on and providing appropriate oversight of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).

Regulatory and External Relationships

- Build and maintain effective relationships with governance and regulatory stakeholders.

- Act as principal governance contact with regulators and governance bodies.

- Coordinate governance elements of regulatory submissions and regulatory engagement.

- Ensure compliance with corporate reporting requirements including in relation to community benefit society law, and company law as well as regulatory returns and notifications, being mindful of the status of United Welsh.

- Represent the organisation within relevant governance networks and forums.

Leadership and Service Management

- Lead, develop and motivate the Governance Team.

- Modernise governance systems, processes and reporting.

- Ensure governance services, systems and reporting arrangements are efficient, effective and customer focused in line with organisational priorities

- Develop governance capability across the organisation through coaching, guidance and support.

- Manage governance resources and budgets.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

- Significant experience operating in a senior governance, company secretarial or corporate governance role within a complex organisation.

- Experience advising Boards, Committees and senior leaders on governance, constitutional and regulatory matters.

- Experience overseeing Board and Committee processes, governance cycles, statutory obligations and accurate decision records.

- Strong knowledge of corporate governance, company secretarial practice and constitutional compliance.

- A sound understanding of assurance, risk management and regulatory compliance frameworks, with the ability to apply these in practice.

- Strong knowledge and practical experience of Data Protection, including DPO responsibilities, DPIAs, compliance, risk management and organisational assurance.

- Proven ability to build credible relationships with regulators, external stakeholders and senior leaders, and to influence and provide constructive challenge at Board and Executive level.

- A track record of leading improvement, change or modernisation initiatives that strengthen governance systems, processes or reporting.

- Effective leadership skills, with the ability to develop, motivate and support a team while managing priorities and resources.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing high-quality reports and presenting clear, proportionate advice to senior audiences.

- Strong analytical and organisational skills, sound judgement, personal integrity and discretion when handling complex or sensitive matters.

Desirable Criteria

- Chartered Governance Professional, Chartered Secretary or equivalent professional qualification.

- Knowledge or experience of the social housing sector.

- Understanding of the regulatory environment for housing associations in Wales.

- Experience supporting subsidiary companies or group governance arrangements.

- Experience working directly with Audit and Risk Committees.

- Experience with governance software, board portals or governance technology solutions.

- Welsh language skills