Governance Manager

At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF UK), strong governance enables us to support life‑saving medical work in some of the world’s most complex and fragile contexts. We are looking for an experienced Governance Manager to play a central role in supporting our Board, Executive, and Association at an exciting moment in MSF UK’s development.

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, Mon‑Fri

Duration: Permanent

Location: London - hybrid, 2 days per week in London office (including Wednesdays)

Job Purpose: Reporting to the Head of Governance & Association and Company Secretary, you will lead the day‑to‑day operation of MSF UK’s governance framework. You will ensure the Board of Trustees, its committees, and the Executive are supported with high‑quality, timely and well‑judged governance advice and services. This is a hands‑on leadership role, blending strategic oversight with practical delivery.

You will:

• Lead and develop a small, high‑performing governance team
• Oversee Board, committee and executive governance cycles and meetings
• Ensure strong regulatory and statutory compliance
• Support trustee recruitment, development and effective decision‑making
• Work closely with senior leaders across MSF UK, MSF Ireland, and the wider international MSF movement

You will also play a key role in strengthening governance culture, visibility and understanding across the organisation and among MSF UK’s 700+ association members.

Requirements:

• Practical knowledge of charity governance, trustees’ responsibilities and regulatory compliance, including the Charity Governance Code.
• Proven experience managing governance cycles, committees and statutory reporting.
• Excellent written communication skills, including drafting governance papers, policies, briefings and minutes.
• Excellent social and verbal communication skills; able to operate with integrity, diplomacy, tact, and empathy.
• Confidence working and negotiating with senior stakeholders, directors and trustees; ability to actively listen, understand and accommodate the views of others while still achieving governance objectives and asserting non‑negotiable points diplomatically.
• Ability to act autonomously, focusing on the long‑term challenge while delivering on the short‑term quick wins.
• Ethical judgement, critical thinking, and ability to analyse risk and issues to produce recommendations.
• Ability to think systemically and structure information and workflow.
• Experience supporting team development and direct reports to develop individually and as a team.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem‑solving skills including the ability to remain focused when managing competing and rapidly developing priorities.
• Demonstrable experience in the practical and effective use of personal IT equipment and the Microsoft Office 365 suite.
• The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• Significant experience in a governance and/or secretariat role within a UK charity or not‑for‑profit organisation (e.g. education, health, public service).
• Experience working in a complex international globally federated organisation.
• Exposure to international governance environments.

MSF UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Employment sponsorship will NOT be offered by MSF UK for this role.