At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal, governance, risk, and assurance for a major housing association.
- Company: Join Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, a leading UK housing association.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and a chance to shape governance.
- Other info: Be part of a purpose-driven organisation with a focus on accountability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on governance and decision-making for residents' futures.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in legal or governance roles required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: London or Midlands
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Contract Type: Permanent
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) is one of the UKs leading housing associations, supporting over 130,000 residents across London, the South East, East Midlands and East of England. Our purpose is clear: everyone should have a quality home and the chance to live well, guided by our values Care, Dare and Collaborate, and our 2030 Strategy Pride in Every Home, A Future Shaped by You.
We are seeking an experienced, values-led Director of Legal and Governance to join our Senior Leadership Team in a newly elevated, organisation-wide role. This is a pivotal appointment, bringing together legal, governance, risk and assurance into a single centre of excellence at the heart of MTVH.
The role reports into the CEO and is accountable for MTVHs corporate governance, legal services and regulatory compliance. You will play a central role in shaping how the organisation governs itself, strengthening end-to-end decision-making, and providing clear, confident assurance to the Board and Executive. This is a highly influential leadership position with significant visibility across the organisation. You will work closely with senior colleagues, Board members and external stakeholders to ensure robust governance, effective risk management and legally sound decision-making that supports MTVHs strategic ambitions.
A key focus of the role is embedding a strong governance and assurance framework, enhancing regulatory readiness, and ensuring that legal, risk and compliance considerations are proactively managed in an increasingly complex and regulated environment.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership across legal, governance, risk and assurance, creating a high-performing centre of excellence.
- Lead MTVHs corporate governance framework, ensuring effective Board and committee operation and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Provide authoritative legal advice to the Executive and Board, supporting robust, confident decision-making.
- Oversee enterprise risk management and assurance frameworks, ensuring risks are identified, managed and clearly reported.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory and policy requirements, including data protection and information governance obligations.
- Lead the company secretariat function, ensuring high-quality Board and committee support, reporting and record-keeping.
- Manage legal services, including in-house teams and external advisors, ensuring value for money and high-quality outcomes.
- Oversee dispute resolution and litigation management, providing clear oversight of risk exposure and lessons learned.
- Build strong internal and external stakeholder relationships, representing MTVH in key governance and regulatory forums.
- Foster an inclusive, accountable and performance-focused culture, developing leadership capability across the function.
About you:
You will be a credible senior leader with:
- Significant leadership experience in legal, governance or company secretariat roles within a complex, highly regulated environment.
- Professional qualification as a solicitor, barrister or chartered governance professional (CGI), or equivalent experience.
- A strong track record of developing and embedding governance frameworks and supporting Boards and executive teams.
- Deep understanding of regulatory environments (social housing or similar), with the ability to interpret and apply requirements pragmatically.
- Experience of leading risk management and assurance frameworks at an organisational level.
- Excellent judgement, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable advice.
- A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to build trust, challenge constructively and drive organisation-wide improvement.
- Strategic leadership capability, aligning teams to organisational priorities and delivering change at pace.
This is a unique opportunity to play a defining role in how a large, purpose-driven organisation governs itself and delivers for residents. You will help strengthen accountability, improve decision-making and support MTVHs long-term success as it delivers its 2030 ambition.
To apply and for further information, please visit our website.
To meet our commitment to providing safe, high-quality services to our customers we will complete a basic background check with the Disclosure and Barring service, once an offer of employment is made.
Director of Legal and Governance - London employer: MTVH
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a culture of care, collaboration, and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, MTVH offers competitive salaries and benefits, alongside the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of over 130,000 residents. Located in London, this role provides a unique chance to shape governance and legal frameworks within a purpose-driven organisation committed to delivering quality homes and services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Legal and Governance - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and governance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching MTVH’s values and recent initiatives. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission of providing quality homes and living well. Tailor your responses to highlight how you can contribute to our 2030 Strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed governance frameworks in the past. We want to hear about your strategic thinking and how you’ve influenced decision-making in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of the MTVH team. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Legal and Governance - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Director of Legal and Governance role. Highlight your leadership experience in legal and governance, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications!
Showcase Your Values:At StudySmarter, we value Care, Dare, and Collaborate. Make sure to weave these values into your application. Share examples of how you've demonstrated these principles in your previous roles, especially in a regulated environment.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to see your thought process and how you can translate complex issues into actionable advice, just like you would in the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our mission and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at MTVH
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing's mission, values, and strategic goals. Understanding their 2030 Strategy and how it aligns with your experience will help you articulate how you can contribute to their vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your leadership in legal and governance contexts. Highlight instances where you've successfully implemented governance frameworks or managed risk, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex regulatory environments. Think of scenarios where you've had to navigate legal challenges or compliance issues, and be ready to discuss your thought process and outcomes.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Given the collaborative nature of the role, prepare to discuss how you've built relationships with stakeholders in previous positions. Share examples of how your communication skills have helped facilitate decision-making and foster a culture of accountability.
