Head of Governance

We are proud to be partnering with a large, well-established housing charity to recruit a Head of Governance into a pivotal leadership position.

With a housing portfolio of over 1,000 homes, our client is entering a significant phase of growth as they transition into a large registered provider, bringing increased regulatory expectations and opportunity.

This is a critical appointment, and we are seeking a highly experienced governance professional with recent and in-depth knowledge of social housing regulation and a strong understanding of charity governance frameworks.

The opportunity:

Reporting to the Associate Director of Governance & Legal, as Head of Governance you will take ownership of governance operations, risk management, and compliance across the organisation.

You will act as the technical expert, working closely with the Board and Executive Team to ensure robust governance, regulatory compliance, and effective risk management frameworks are in place.

This role will be instrumental in supporting the organisation through regulatory inspections and strengthening its position within the sector.

Key responsibilities of Head of Governance:

Governance & compliance:

• Lead the delivery of a high-quality governance and compliance framework
• Ensure adherence to all statutory, regulatory, and legal obligations
• Act as the key contact for the Regulator of Social Housing and other regulatory bodies
• Provide expert guidance to senior stakeholders on governance and compliance matters
• Oversee submission of all regulatory and statutory returns

Board & secretariat:

• Manage and coordinate Board and Committee processes
• Ensure production of accurate, timely, and high-quality Board papers
• Support Board effectiveness, including recruitment, induction, and development

Risk & assurance:

• Lead the organisation’s risk management framework
• Oversee internal audit programmes and implementation of recommendations
• Maintain and develop risk registers, reports, and governance dashboards
• Manage insurance provision aligned to organisational risk

Leadership & stakeholder management:

• Lead and develop governance functions and processes
• Build strong relationships with Board members, executives, and external partners
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement

We are looking for a candidate who can bring:

• Recent, in-depth experience within social housing regulation
• Strong knowledge of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and inspection processes (IDA experience essential)
• Proven expertise in governance, compliance, and risk management
• A solid understanding of charity law and governance frameworks
• Extensive experience supporting Boards and Committees at a senior level
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
• The ability to operate as a trusted advisor to senior leadership teams

What’s on offer:

• Generous annual leave
• Buy & sell holiday scheme
• Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Health cash plan
• Blue Light Card access
• Employee discounts and rewards
• Annual salary reviews
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Ongoing training and development
• Clear career progression opportunities

Why apply?

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a mission-led organisation at a time of transformation, where you will play a key role in shaping governance, driving compliance, and supporting long-term strategic growth.

If this Head of Governance role is of interest please apply or contact katie.cox@niyaapeople.co.uk