Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead governance development and support boards across a network of Active Partnerships.
- Company: Active Partnerships empower healthier, active communities through diverse governance structures.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible hours, health cover, and a generous pension contribution.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in communities while collaborating with inspiring leaders nationwide.
- Qualifications: Experience in governance, strong communication skills, and knowledge of governance frameworks required.
- Other info: This is a home-based role with national travel to connect with various partnerships.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 49000 £ per year.
Reporting to: Director of Relationships
Location: Home based with national travel
Salary: £45,000 – £47,000
Contract: Full Time: Initially Fixed Term until 31st March 2027
Line Management: None currently
Key relationships: Active Partnerships (APs), Sport England Governance Team, Sports Governance Academy, AP board members, AP leadership teams, charity and local authority partners
Do you believe that great governance unlocks confidence, inclusion, and long-term impact?
Active Partnerships are looking for a Strategic Lead – Network Governance to champion and enhance governance practice across a thriving network of 42 Active Partnerships. This is a full-time national role focused on relationships, collaboration, and shared learning.
You\’ll work alongside brilliant leaders across the country – supporting boards, amplifying great ideas, and helping governance play its full part in the network\’s success.
About the Role Network Governance Lead
Active Partnerships are independent organisations with a shared commitment to enabling healthier, more active communities. Each has a unique structure – from registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations to partnerships hosted by local authorities.
You\’ll support governance development that reflects this diversity. Whether it\’s creating spaces for peer learning, helping teams explore future board skills, or sharing strong practice already in place – your work will strengthen capability, confidence, and connection.
This is a collaborative, strategic role embedded within Active Partnerships National Organisation\’s Organisational Health programme. You\’ll help embed governance as a positive and enabling part of how the network leads and grows – aligning strategy, culture, and values.
What You\’ll Be Doing as Strategic Lead
- Supporting the ongoing development of confident, inclusive governance across the network
- Creating opportunities for boards and leaders to connect, learn, and reflect together
- Sharing best practice across different governance models and local contexts
- Helping Active Partnerships embed proportionate, values-led governance approaches
- Collaborating with the Sport England Governance Team to align with the Code for Sports Governance and support its application
- Providing tailored advice and 1:1 support to boards and senior leaders across charities, local authorities, and federated partnerships
- Supporting board recruitment, onboarding and succession planning, respecting local structures and autonomy
- Providing guidance on topics such as strategic oversight, risk management, board development, and decision-making
- Contributing to Active Partnerships National Organisation\’s wider Organisational Health and leadership support efforts
- Travelling nationally to support and connect with Active Partnerships
What You\’ll Bring
You\’ll be someone who:
- Builds trust easily and works well with senior leaders and boards
- Understands how to tailor support to diverse governance structures and organisational contexts
- Has in-depth knowledge of governance frameworks such as the Code for Sports Governance, Charity Governance Code, or local authority governance standards
- Brings experience supporting boards to improve governance, culture, and strategic effectiveness
- Is confident facilitating learning spaces and conversations with varied stakeholders
- Sees governance as a practical enabler of inclusive leadership, strong culture, and long-term impact
Your background might be in governance consultancy, charity leadership, board development, public service or systems change – what matters most is your ability to connect, guide, and inspire.
Why This Role Matters
Active Partnerships are delivering important work in communities across the country – and strong governance helps make that possible. Your role will help align good governance with the values, leadership, and collaborative spirit that define the network.
What They Offer
- 30 days holidays (plus bank holidays)
- Home based with requirement to travel regularly to different locations across England
- 6% employer pension contribution when you contribute 2%
- Flexible working hours
- Health cover
The Process:
To ensure a fair and inclusive recruitment process, we are working with as our trusted recruitment partner for this vacancy. Therefore, all applications for this position will be handled and managed exclusively by them.
If you have any accessibility requirements or would like to understand their process further, please contact level=
How to Apply
- Submit your CV to register interest by Friday 25th July at 5pm.
- Complete the anonymised work-related questions by Monday 28th July at midday.
Network Governance Lead employer: Active Partnerships
Contact Detail:
Active Partnerships Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Network Governance Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the governance and sports sectors. Attend relevant conferences, workshops, or webinars to meet potential colleagues and learn about current trends in governance practices.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the Code for Sports Governance and other relevant frameworks. Understanding these guidelines will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to effective governance during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with Active Partnerships and similar organisations on social media. Follow their updates, participate in discussions, and share insights to showcase your interest and expertise in governance.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've supported boards in improving governance. Highlight your experience in facilitating learning spaces and your ability to tailor support to diverse organisational contexts.
We think you need these skills to ace Network Governance Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements. Highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Network Governance Lead, focusing on governance frameworks and collaborative practices.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience in governance consultancy, charity leadership, or board development. Emphasise your ability to build trust with senior leaders and your understanding of diverse governance structures.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for governance and its impact on communities. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the Active Partnerships' mission.
Prepare for Anonymised Questions: Be ready to answer the anonymised work-related questions thoughtfully. These questions are designed to assess your suitability for the role, so provide clear and concise responses that highlight your skills and experiences relevant to governance.
How to prepare for a job interview at Active Partnerships
✨Understand Governance Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key governance frameworks such as the Code for Sports Governance and the Charity Governance Code. Be prepared to discuss how these frameworks can be applied in diverse organisational contexts.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Skills
Highlight your experience in building relationships and facilitating learning among boards and leaders. Share specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders to enhance governance practices.
✨Demonstrate Tailored Support Experience
Be ready to explain how you tailor your support to meet the unique needs of different governance structures. Discuss any previous roles where you adapted your approach based on the organisation's context.
✨Emphasise Your Strategic Insight
Prepare to discuss your understanding of strategic oversight, risk management, and board development. Provide examples of how you've contributed to improving governance and strategic effectiveness in past roles.