Governance Officer

Salary: £41,750 + excellent benefits

Location: Wooburn Green, High Wycombe

Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office, 3 days per week from home

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week (Monday-Friday)

Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose? At SettleParadigm, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 30,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising the number of new affordable homes we build.

We’re looking for a Governance Officer with strong, proven minute-taking experience to join our Governance and Compliance team. This is a key role supporting our Board, Committees and Executive Team, ensuring meetings run smoothly, decisions are recorded accurately and governance processes are followed consistently. Minute taking is a core requirement for this role. You must be confident in drafting clear and precise minutes for senior audiences.

About The Role

As Governance Officer, you will provide high-quality governance and company secretarial support across the SettleParadigm Group. You’ll work closely with the Chair, Board Members, Chief Executive, Executive Team and senior colleagues to ensure meetings are well-planned, professionally run and accurately documented. You will manage your own portfolio of Committee work, support Board and Executive meetings, maintain governance records and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The role blends organisation, communication, problem solving and professional judgement, with minute taking at the heart of what you do.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft accurate, succinct minutes and record key decisions and actions
• Plan agendas and coordinate meeting arrangements
• Prepare and distribute papers, ensuring deadlines are met
• Maintain governance records including Board and Executive decisions
• Support Annual General Meetings and shareholder meetings
• Provide guidance on governance policies (declarations of interest, gifts and hospitality)
• Deliver governance training when required
• Act as a key user of the Diligent portal and manage content
• Assist with statutory filings (Companies House, FCA, Charity Commission)
• Support Board Member learning and development
• Provide advice and support to internal and external stakeholders
• Manage document execution processes and maintain signing and sealing registers
• Provide administrative support for Board Members when required
• Deliver high-quality governance support for the Group Board, Committees and Executive Board

Must Haves

• Governance and company secretarial experience at an equivalent level
• Ability to take accurate, clear and succinct minutes for senior audiences
• Knowledge of governance in housing or charity sectors, or willingness to develop this
• Strong personal integrity and ability to handle confidential information
• Proactive problem-solving skills with sound judgement
• Strong time management and prioritisation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships
• High accuracy and attention to detail
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience organising conferences or events
• Degree calibre or equivalent experience
• Professional governance qualification or working towards one

Benefits

• Annual salary: £41,750 per annum
• 25 days holiday, increasing with service, plus Christmas closure and buy options
• Generous pension scheme – up to 9.5% employer contribution via salary sacrifice
• Family-friendly leave: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Health cash plan – claim up to £1,800 for everyday health costs (plus free kids’ cover)
• Life cover and income protection
• Flexible working – hybrid options, modern offices, free parking & EV charging

And that’s just the beginning! We’re also thrilled to provide:

• Mental Health First Aiders available to support
• Car leasing via salary sacrifice (for permanent colleagues subject to conditions)
• Funded training, qualifications & apprenticeships
• 3 paid volunteering days in the local communities
• Peer-recognition rewards platform
• Paid professional subscription (one per year)

Working Hours

37 hours per week Monday-Thursday 09:00 - 17:30 Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required. Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made. Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.

Closing Date: 05/08/2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.