Governance Manager in Teddington

We know that how we do things is just as important as what we do, so you’ll not only be highly self‑motivated with the rigour to pursue goals, but you’ll also be a confident collaborator, with the willingness to go the extra mile to get the job done by multitasking and prioritising in a fast‑paced environment. You’ll lead and continuously enhance our governance framework, ensuring we meet regulatory requirements and best practice while staying true to our organisational values and long‑term strategy. This is a high‑impact role where you’ll work closely with the Board, Committees, Executive Team and subsidiaries, delivering a first‑class Company Secretariat function and promoting excellence in governance across the organisation. You’ll have a relevant professional qualification e.g. ICSA (full or partially qualified) or equivalent through experience within a regulated sector, such as housing, public, or a charitable organisation. If you’re passionate about governance, confident advising at Board level, and ready to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Connect with what you’ll do:

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of RHP’s governance framework, policies and procedures to ensure they align with regulatory requirements, best practices, and our values.
• Provide expert governance advice to the RHP Board, its committees and our subsidiaries as required.
• Organise and manage board and committee meetings, including taking minutes, preparing agendas and papers, ensuring decisions are accurately captured and followed through in a timely manner, and using our board management software.
• Oversee the identification and mitigation of governance risks.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, particularly in housing and public sector governance.
• Lead on maintaining all company registers managing Companies House filing and compliance returns, including execution of the company seal.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to promote the association’s governance standards and respond to governance‑related enquiries or concerns.
• Monitor governance effectiveness and continuously improve systems, processes, and practices in line with feedback and evolving best practices.
• Support annual effectiveness reviews to ensure the boards and committees operate within Terms of Reference and provide accountable decision making and oversight.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting on governance matters to senior leadership and the board.
• Prepare reports on governance performance, compliance activities, and risk management efforts.
• Advise on governance trends and best practices to ensure that the association remains future‑focused and aligned with long‑term strategic goals.

Connect with how you’ll do it:

We’re looking for someone with experience of:

• Professional knowledge of the legal, regulatory and policy frameworks in which housing associations operate.
• Proven experience in governance, risk management, and compliance, ideally within a regulated sector such as housing, public, or charitable sector.

It’d blow us away if you had:

• CGI Company Secretarial Qualification.
• Company secretarial / governance experience with a social housing provider.

The key behaviours we expect in the role include:

• Ability to present information in a variety of forms to a high standard, including excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to take excellent meeting minutes.
• Demonstrating inclusive behaviours, respecting and embracing difference and listening to other people’s unique perspectives.
• Communicating passionately and authentically across different channels, adapting your style and methods to meet the needs of a diverse range of customers and colleagues.
• Being highly self‑motivated with the ability to work without close supervision.
• Building trust by doing what you say you will.
• Working in an organised and methodical manner with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Being a great team player and doing what it takes to keep the business moving forward.
• Making wise decisions and solving problems without overcomplicating things.
• Communicating clearly, concisely, and thoughtfully verbally and in writing.
• Being the best version of yourself in every situation and showing resilience even when it’s tough.
• Building excellent working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Being tactful, diplomatic, and maintaining confidentiality where appropriate.
• Thinking and planning ahead with flexibility and resilience.
• Multitasking and prioritising in a fast‑paced environment.