Governance Manager

Governance Manager

Hybrid, minimum 2 days per week in the London office / 3 days home based Salary: £56,875 Permanent, Full-time

We are recruiting on behalf of a highly respected, internationally focused professional membership organisation for an experienced Governance Manager to lead and strengthen its governance function.

This is a high-profile role working closely with the Chief Executive, Board, senior elected stakeholders and external advisers, with responsibility for ensuring effective, transparent and compliant governance across a complex global network. You will also manage one direct report.

The Governance Manager will provide authoritative and practical governance advice while overseeing key governance processes across the organisation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing clear and impartial advice on constitutional, procedural and governance matters.
• Managing annual Board and Council elections, officer appointments and other selection processes.
• Acting as Secretary and governance lead for key committees and panels.
• Supporting the effective delivery of Board, Council, AGM, EGM and committee meetings.
• Maintaining and improving governance frameworks, policies, terms of reference and constitutional documents.
• Ensuring accurate governance records, including conflicts of interest, tenure, appointments and decision trails.
• Monitoring governance risks and advising senior stakeholders on appropriate action.
• Supporting Board induction, engagement, succession planning and performance review activity.
• Managing relationships with external governance and legal advisers.
• Driving continuous improvement across governance documentation, systems, reporting and processes.
• Managing and developing the Governance and Committee Executive.

We are looking for an established governance professional who can operate confidently with senior stakeholders while maintaining independence, discretion and sound judgement.

You will ideally bring:

• At least five years’ experience managing a governance function and formal Board and committee structures within a complex organisation.
• Experience with in a membership organisation, professional body or similar environment, ideally operating internationally or across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong experience advising Boards, Chairs, senior executives and other senior stakeholders on governance matters.
• Experience interpreting constitutional, legal, policy and procedural requirements.
• Hands-on experience managing elections, appointments or committee recruitment processes.
• Strong Board and committee skills, including preparing papers, reports, minutes and decision records.
• Experience supporting Company Secretary requirements and statutory compliance.
• Previous line management experience.
• A corporate governance qualification such as CGIUKI / Chartered Governance Institute, Advanced Certificate in Corporate Governance, or equivalent professional experience would be advantageous.
• You will be highly organised, diplomatic and credible, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive governance issues. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills will be essential.

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a broad governance remit within an organisation operating across an international network. You will work directly with senior leadership and the Board, influence governance practice and have genuine scope to improve processes, systems and ways of working.

The role is based in Central London with hybrid working and a minimum of two days per week in the office. Occasional travel and out-of-hours work may be required around key governance meetings and deadlines.