Strategic Governance Leader — Board & Secretariat

At Age UK, effective governance is key to delivering our mission and supporting older people. We are looking for a Senior Governance Manager to play a pivotal role supporting our most senior Boards and Committees, ensuring robust governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic alignment.

The Senior Governance Manager is a key role managing and providing all aspects of the governance and secretariat service relevant to the most senior Boards and Committees within the Age UK Group and deputising for the Head of Governance and Legal with respect to duties as Company Secretary. The role manages a team of 4 Executive Assistants and Governance Officers and 1 Executive Assistant (Chair/CEO) and the ability to line manage this team throughout the Board and Committee governance cycle and on individual projects/tasks, while also providing consistent executive services is key.

This is a very visible role working closely with Trustees and Directors as well as the most senior staff within the Charity, providing advice and support. The post holder will lead projects, anticipate future governance matters and proactively tackle issues, with the ability to prioritise and manage many projects and activities in a busy environment.

Hybrid Working Model
Age UK operates a hybrid working model. We offer flexibility on working from home but require the applicant to be in our central London office approximately 4 times per month, in line with meeting schedules. Travel costs to the London office are the responsibility of the postholder and are not covered by the charity.

Must haves:

• Experience of provision of secretariat services; servicing senior level Boards and Committees
• Experience of charity governance in a large and complex charity structure, including experience of establishing and maintaining governance policies and procedures
• Experience of corporate governance
• Line management experience

Skills and Knowledge

• High level of written English
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels and to tailor communications to different audiences
• Strong presentation, negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Experience of or aptitude to explore how technology and the use of AI can transform the team's work
• A good eye for detail
• Proactive and able to work both individually and as a team
• Sound judgement with good problem-solving abilities
• Highly organised, able to meet deadlines and manage/prioritise workflow

Personal attributes

• Confident and able to take decisions
• Personable and able to build good relationships quickly
• Flexible and able to work in a changing and fast-moving environment
• Discreet and comfortable with holding confidential information

Great to Have:

• Experience/understanding of working within a financial service regulated environment

What we offer in return

• Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, Health cashback plan and EAP
• Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
• Blue Light Card Scheme
• You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250
• Many additional benefits

Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme
Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer.

Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Reasonable adjustments
Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.

Safeguarding, early application and agency policy
Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment. Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.