Head of IT Governance in Manchester

The Head of IT Governance is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving the organisation’s IT governance framework. This role ensures effective oversight of IT spend, robust governance and control environments, high-quality delivery through QA management, strong data governance practices, and successful coordination of internal and external audit activities. The role acts as a key bridge between Technology, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and Audit functions, ensuring IT services are well‑controlled, compliant, cost‑effective, and aligned with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• IT Governance & Controls
  • Define, implement, and maintain the IT governance framework, policies, standards, and procedures.
  • Ensure IT controls are designed and operating effectively to manage risk, support compliance, and meet regulatory and organisational requirements.
  • Oversee adherence to relevant frameworks and standards (e.g. ITIL, COBIT, ISO 27001, data protection requirements).
  • Provide governance oversight for IT change, risk management, and service management activities.
  • Identify, assess and mitigate IT related risks.
  • Co‑ordinate management system “brainwork”.
  • Manage data repository.
  • Oversight of tech and controls.
  • Manage communication of controls.
  • Take responsibility for escrow agreements, licence management.
  • Develop and maintain a succession plan for the Technology Team.
  • Co‑ordinate the “You said, We did” process.
• Quality Assurance (QA) Management
  • Lead and manage the IT Quality Test function.
  • Ensure appropriate QA frameworks, methodologies, and controls are embedded across IT delivery.
  • Oversee testing strategies, quality metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Provide independent assurance on the quality and readiness of IT solutions prior to release.
• Audit & Assurance
  • Act as the primary point of contact for IT‑related internal and external audits.
  • Coordinate audit planning, evidence gathering, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Ensure timely and effective remediation of audit findings and control weaknesses.
  • Provide clear, accurate responses and reporting to auditors, regulators, and senior stakeholders.
• Data Governance
  • Establish and maintain a robust data governance framework covering data ownership, quality, integrity, and lifecycle management.
  • Work closely with data owners, information security, and compliance teams to ensure data is managed in line with regulatory and organisational standards.
  • Support initiatives to improve data quality, transparency, and accountability across the organisation.
• IT Budget Oversight
  • Oversee the IT budget in partnership with Finance and Technology leadership.
  • Monitor IT spend, forecast costs, and ensure value for money and alignment with strategic priorities.
  • Challenge and optimise IT investment decisions, ensuring transparency and financial discipline.
  • Review regular financial reporting providing guidance to Technology Leadership.

Skills and Experience

• Experience operating in regulated or complex organisational environments.
• Relevant experience in Information Governance, IT Risk, IT Audit and Security.
• Thorough understanding of the latest IT‑GRC principles, techniques and protocols.
• In depth knowledge of ISO standards including 9001, 27001, 20000, 38500.
• Deep technical understanding of testing, quality assurance and release management gained through experience of leading a test and quality team on a large programme.
• Demonstrate sound commercial judgement e.g contract / supplier management.
• Experience in budget control.
• Industry awareness to identify improvement opportunities and implement them across the services and processes incorporated within the domain.

About Us

We offer all employees a comprehensive benefits package that focuses on their whole wellbeing. This includes hybrid working, a competitive base salary, non‑contributory pension, discretionary bonus, insurances including health (family) and dental cover, and many other benefits to enhance financial, physical, social and psychological health.

About Canopius

Canopius is a global specialty lines (re)insurer. We are one of the leading insurers in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market with offices in the UK, US, Singapore, Australia and Bermuda. At Canopius we foster a distinctive, positive culture which enables us to bring our whole selves to work to flourish as people, and build a business which delivers profitable, sustainable results. Based in incredible new offices in the heart of the City of London, Canopius operates a flexible, hybrid working model and is committed to providing an environment that challenges employees to be their best and where everyone's unique contributions are recognised, valued and respected. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made regardless of age, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socio‑economic background, religion or beliefs, marital or caring status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage and welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Please let us know if you require any information in an alternate format or any other reasonable adjustments.