Head of Governance

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Directorate: Legal and Democratic Services Grade: G19 Salary: £62,470-£69,070 Location:East Midlands Contract: Permanent

Shape thefuture of a region

This is not astandard public sector role.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior leadership position at the heart of one of theUK’s newest and most ambitious Combined County Authorities — shaping how power,funding and decisions are made for the East Midlands as devolution deepens.

At EMCCA, weare unlocking billions of pounds of investment and bringing together powersover transport, housing, skills, economic development and net zero to transform lives across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

As Head Of Governance , you will be central to that mission — designing, embedding and continuously evolving the governance framework that underpins delivery atscale.

Good governancehere is not about process for its own sake.

It is aboutenabling confident, timely, lawful decision-making that delivers real outcomes for our communities and building a model of excellence.

We aredeliberately doing governance differently at EMCCA creating an “East Midlandsway” that evolves as our powers grow and our organisation matures.

This role givesyou the platform to lead that change.

You will not bemaintaining a static governance model, you will be building one in real time.

• Lead democratic services and governance arrangements for a devolved authority
• Shape and evolve the constitution,decision-making framework and member support offer
• Work directly with the Mayor,Board, committees and senior leadership
• Support complex, high-profiledecisions across major investment programmes
• Play a key role as a seniorgovernance leader within a growing organisation

This rolesits at the centre of real, tangible impact:

• Securing and deploying majordevolved funding to unlock regional growth and opportunity
• Taking strategic control of transport, skills and economic development to improve daily life for residents
• Driving long-term regeneration andnet zero ambitions across towns, cities and rural communities
• Building combined authoritygovernance that supports delivery at scale

Reporting tothe Director of Law, Governance & Compliance, you will:

• Lead and manage the Governance and Democratic Services function
• Ensure all decisions are lawful,robust and aligned with the Constitution
• Support the Monitoring Officer inkey statutory and governance functions
• Build strong relationships with Members, officers and external partners
• Drive continuous improvement ingovernance, transparency and accountability
• Enable the organisation to move atpace while maintaining strong governance discipline

You willbring:

• Deep expertise in local authorityor combined authority governance and decision-making
• Strong understanding of thelegislative and constitutional framework underpinning combined authorities
• Experience operating in a politicalenvironment at senior level
• Credible leadership, influencing and relationship-building skills
• The ability to translate complexgovernance into practical, enabling solutions
• A mindset focused on delivery, contactimprovement, evolution and impact

We are building something exciting.

Our valuesguide how we work:
We Lift Our Region | We Work Together | We Make an Impact |We Are Human

This is an organisation where:

• people work collaboratively acrosssystems
• ambition is matched byaccountability

This is themoment to join EMCCA.

Devolution isnot static, it is accelerating.
- Powers will grow.
- Expectations will grow.
- Impact will grow.

So will thisrole.

If you wanta position where you can:

• shape how a region is governed
• influence major investment andpolicy decisions

this is theplace to do it.

Closing Date: 30/07/2026

Interview Date: 11/08/2026

• Up to 10 days paid leave in a 12-month period for caring responsibilities
• A hybrid work model with remote working opportunities
• Maternity, Paternity, IVF, Adopters and Foster Carers support
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 30 days holiday (plus 2 with continuous service) + bank holidays + your birthday (up to five extra days through salary sacrifice)