Head of Governance & Legal for the Disused Tips Authority Salary range - £61,098 - £78,449

Head of Governance & Legal for the Disused Tips Authority Salary range - £61,098 - £78,449

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Vacancy title : Head of Governance & Legal for the Disused Tips Authority Salary range - £61,098 - £78,449

11/09/2026, 16:00

Advertising basis Permanent, Secondment

Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449, with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements. Please note that, whilst these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Government, posts within the Disused Tips Authority are subject to the Authority's own pay and reward arrangements. The Welsh Government salary scales displayed alongside this vacancy do not apply to these roles. For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional skills, experience and expertise, there may be scope to appoint above the advertised starting salary, up to the maximum of the approved pay range, subject to the Authority's pay arrangements and relevant approvals.

Salary range or pay band Other

Work pattern Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Group Local Government, Housing, Rural Resilience & Sustainability Group

Directorate Climate Change & Env Sustainability

Branch Disused Tips Authority

Location (s) Other location (including outside of Wales)

Specific Location Specific Location: Merthyr Tydfil (DTA Headquarters). The Disused Tips Authority's headquarters will be based in Merthyr Tydfil. When the Authority is established on 1 April 2027, a number of regional hubs will also be available across Wales; however, Merthyr Tydfil will remain the organisation's headquarters.

Purpose of post

Purpose of Role

Help build the governance and integrity behind one of Wales' newest public bodies.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a strategic leadership role in one of Wales' newest public organisations.

The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high‑profile, safety‑critical environment, our success will depend not only on effective operational delivery, but on governance arrangements that enable confident decision‑making, organisational accountability and public trust.

As Head of Governance & Legal, you will play a critical leadership role in developing the Authority's governance and legal capability. You'll ensure the organisation operates lawfully, transparently and with integrity while creating governance arrangements that enable effective decision‑making, clear accountability and strong public confidence.

This is a broad strategic leadership role. Alongside leading the Authority's governance and legal functions, you'll shape governance frameworks, Board processes, legal compliance arrangements and organisational policies that support the Board's strategic vision and Corporate Plan.

Beyond the organisation itself, you will play a pivotal role in developing the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence in public sector governance and organisational accountability. Working with Welsh Government, regulators, oversight bodies and professional institutions, you will help strengthen governance capability, share best practice and contribute to the continued development of governance across Wales' public sector.

The role is both inward and outward facing:

• Internally, you will create governance arrangements that provide clarity, confidence and accountability, enabling leaders and colleagues to make informed decisions within proportionate governance frameworks.
• Externally, you will build trusted relationships with Welsh Government, regulators, auditors and other partners, demonstrating the Authority's commitment to transparency, integrity and effective public administration.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the governance foundations of a new national organisation, helping establish the Disused Tips Authority as a trusted, accountable and well‑ governed public body recognised for the quality of its leadership, decision‑making and organisational integrity.

Important: The Disused Tips Authority for Wales will be established as an independent Welsh Public Body and separate legal entity on 1 April 2027. Until then, these roles will be hosted by the Welsh Government, providing a unique opportunity to help create and shape a new national organisation from the outset.

Successful candidates will initially be employed by the Welsh Government before transferring to the Disused Tips Authority when it becomes operational on 1 April 2027, with continuity of employment maintained throughout.

The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for the information relevant to this vacancy.

To learn more about the Authority's purpose, ambitions, culture, values, benefits and recruitment journey, please review the Candidate Information Pack and recruitment video.

Help build a new public body for Wales: Disused Tips Authority for Wales

General Candidate Information Pack - 2026 Recruitment Campaign

• You’ll lead the development and continuous improvement of the Authority's governance framework, ensuring governance arrangements are proportionate, transparent and support confident organisational decision‑making.
• You’ll establish governance policies, delegations and decision‑making processes that provide clarity, accountability and consistency across the organisation.

Supporting the Board and Executive

• You’ll lead the Authority's Board and committee governance arrangements, ensuring the Chair, Board, Chief Executive and Executive Team receive high‑quality governance support, enabling effective oversight, strategic decision‑making and organisational leadership.
• You’ll oversee forward planning, governance processes and corporate decision‑making arrangements, ensuring governance enables delivery rather than becoming an administrative burden.

Leading legal compliance

• You’ll ensure the Authority operates lawfully and in accordance with its statutory responsibilities, leading legal compliance arrangements and providing expert advice on governance, public law and corporate obligations.
• You’ll oversee compliance with legislation and corporate requirements, including information governance, Freedom of Information, data protection and wider public authority responsibilities.

Strengthening organisational accountability

• You’ll develop governance arrangements that support organisational accountability, transparency and continuous improvement.
• You’ll oversee corporate health and safety governance, ensuring appropriate frameworks, reporting and assurance arrangements are embedded across the organisation and support a safe working environment.
• You’ll promote a culture where governance supports confident leadership, responsible decision‑making and continuous organisational learning.
• You’ll ensure governance, legal compliance and corporate policies are fully aligned to the Authority's Corporate Plan and organisational priorities, translating strategic ambition into practical governance arrangements that support organisational success.

Developing governance capability

• You’ll lead the development of governance policies, standards and professional practice that promote consistency, integrity and continuous improvement across the Authority.
• You’ll help establish the Authority as a recognised centre of excellence by strengthening governance capability, promoting ethical leadership and sharing best practice across the wider public sector.

Working across the system

• You’ll build trusted relationships with Welsh Government, regulators, auditors, oversight bodies and professional partners, recognising that effective governance depends upon collaboration, openness and constructive challenge.
• You’ll represent the Authority on governance and legal matters, promoting confidence in the organisation's governance arrangements and public service values.

Leading a high‑performing function

• You’ll build and lead a professional Governance & Legal function, creating an environment where colleagues develop their expertise, provide high‑quality advice and support effective organisational leadership.
• You’ll champion continuous professional development, high standards and a culture of integrity, accountability and public service.

Successful candidates would have membership of a relevant professional body and experience of governance, legal or corporate compliance within complex or regulated organisations.

Technical Capabilities

Important: The technical capabilities listed below will be assessed throughout the selection process. Please refer to these capabilities when preparing your application and provide evidence of how you meet them through your qualifications, skills and experience.

Strategic Governance Leadership

• Developing and implementing governance frameworks that support organisational priorities, statutory responsibilities and effective public administration.
• Translating governance principles into practical arrangements that enable confident organisational decision‑making.

Corporate Governance & Legal Compliance

• Leading governance and legal compliance functions within complex public sector or regulated organisations.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, public authority requirements and recognised standards of good governance.
• Developing governance policies, delegations and decision‑making frameworks that promote organisational integrity and accountability.

Board & Executive Support

• Leading Board and committee governance, supporting effective decision‑making, scrutiny and organisational oversight.
• Providing high‑quality governance advice to Boards, senior leaders and committees within complex governance environments.

Public Sector Accountability & Decision‑Making

• Promoting transparency, ethical leadership and effective public administration.
• Supporting organisational accountability through proportionate governance, clear delegations and robust decision‑making processes.
• Understanding the legislative and constitutional framework within which Welsh public bodies operate.

Partnership Working & External Relationships

• Building trusted relationships with Welsh Government, regulators, auditors, oversight bodies and external partners.
• Representing the organisation confidently in governance, legal and corporate matters.
• Promoting collaboration, openness and constructive engagement across the wider public sector.

Leadership & Team Development

• Leading and developing high‑performing governance and legal teams.
• Creating an inclusive culture that promotes professional excellence, continuous learning and organisational improvement.
• Building governance capability and strengthening professional practice across the organisation.

Communication & Professional Judgement

• Communicating complex governance and legal issues clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Providing balanced, evidence‑based advice that supports confident decision‑making by senior leaders and Boards.
• Exercising sound judgement when balancing governance requirements, organisational priorities and public accountability.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the governance and legal capability of a new national public body. Combining strategic leadership across governance, legal compliance, Board effectiveness, organisational accountability and corporate policy, you will play a defining role in creating one of Wales' most important new public organisations.

Beyond leading the Authority's governance function, you will help establish the governance culture that underpins every aspect of the organisation's work. Working alongside the Director of Governance & Performance, Executive Team and Board, you will influence how the Authority is governed, how decisions are made and how public confidence is built through transparency, accountability and ethical leadership.

Establishing the Disused Tips Authority

The Disused Tips Authority (DTA) will become fully operational on 1 April 2027. We are recruiting now for a number of senior leadership roles to help shape the organisation, build its capability and culture, and prepare the Authority to assume its statutory responsibilities from day one. This is a unique opportunity to join the DTA during its formative stages and play a key role in establishing a new public body for Wales.

Employment Arrangements

As the Disused Tips Authority will not formally exist until 1 April 2027, these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Government. Successful candidates will be employed by the Welsh Government until 31 March 2027 while working exclusively on the establishment of the Disused Tips Authority. From 1 April 2027, employees will transfer to the new Authority as it becomes operational. Throughout this transition, continuity of employment will be maintained. Successful candidates will initially be employed on Welsh Government terms and conditions. The DTA's proposed terms and conditions are included within the Candidate Pack, and employees will have the opportunity to move onto these arrangements following the Authority's establishment.

Secondment Opportunities and Eligibility Requirements

Candidates should note that this post is also being offered as a Permanent Opportunity and a Secondment opportunity.

Eligibility Verification

• You must obtain prior agreement from your employer to be released on secondment before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.
• You must hold a substantive permanent post with your current employer.
• During the secondment, you will remain on the terms, conditions and payroll of your home organisation.

Inward secondees are not eligible for Disused Tips Authority pay awards or rewards.

Location

The Authority's headquarters will be located at Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ. This will be the principal place of work and where most colleagues will come together to collaborate with stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be expected to attend the office in Merthyr Tydfil regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement. For full‑time employees, this will typically be 2–3 days per week, with attendance requirements adjusted on a pro‑rated basis for part‑time employees.

As a national organisation serving communities across Wales, the DTA will also establish a number of regional hubs and collaboration spaces. Details of these locations are currently being developed and will be confirmed ahead of the Authority becoming operational. Merthyr Tydfil will remain the Authority's headquarters.

Salary

Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449 with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements.

For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional experience, expertise and market value, a higher starting salary within the approved pay range may be considered.

Desirable

It would be desirable for candidates to hold membership of a relevant professional body and have experience of governance, legal or corporate compliance within complex or regulated organisations. Welsh Language Ability. The Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace.

We welcome applications from Welsh speakers and from individuals who are committed to developing their Welsh language skills. We will support colleagues at all levels to learn, use and increase their confidence in Welsh as part of their work, helping to build a truly bilingual organisation.

Vetting level Basic

Number of posts 1

Contact point for further information regarding the post:

Welsh language requirements

Welsh language requirements 3 – Welsh language skills are not essential for this opportunity; you do not need Welsh language skills to apply. However, as the Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation, Welsh language skills are desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

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