Governance and Operations Specialist in Cirencester

Posted on: 13/08/2026 – Application Deadline: 27/08/2026

Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance:

• Location: Cirencester Office
• Workplace Type: Hybrid
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Seniority: Associate

About the role:

The Governance and Operations Specialist sits within the Governance and Operations function of the Third-Party Products and Services team. This function is responsible for setting standards and overseeing third-party product and service providers across the UK and Asia & Middle East markets, ensuring robust governance, due diligence, operational management, and compliance within SJP's risk appetite. The primary purpose of the Governance and Operations Specialist role is to support the effective operation of third-party product and service oversight, through coordination and delivery of core governance activities. This includes managing documentation, MI and reporting, action tracking, and supporting key governance processes to ensure oversight is delivered in a consistent, controlled, and efficient manner.

What you'll be doing:

• Maintaining Distributor Review documentation and dashboards, including action tracking to ensure timely resolution.
• Coordinating the proforma oversight risk process, ensuring documentation is issued to providers and that responses are received, tracked, and collated in line with agreed timelines.
• Supporting Governance and Operations Consultants with the collection and validation of MI from third-party providers, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely follow-up of outstanding items.
• Maintaining and updating risk logs and supporting documentation (e.g. financial returns and other risk indicators) to enable effective oversight and reporting.
• Supporting the implementation of provider onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring all required governance and documentation steps are completed.
• Managing the team inbox, ensuring queries are triaged, allocated to the appropriate Relationship Manager, and responded to within agreed service standards.

About you:

We're looking for a highly organised and proactive individual who enjoys working with data, governance processes and stakeholders to ensure things are completed accurately and on time. You'll have strong attention to detail, a naturally inquisitive mindset and the confidence to work across multiple priorities in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and competing demands effectively.
• Experience producing, analysing or maintaining management information (MI), reporting, data sets or operational dashboards.
• Excellent attention to detail with a track record of maintaining accurate records, documentation and audit trails.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across teams and with external providers.
• A proactive and self-motivated approach, with the confidence to identify issues, investigate problems and support continuous improvement activities.
• Previous experience working within Financial Services, Risk, Governance, Compliance or another regulated environment.
• Experience supporting governance frameworks, risk management activities, oversight processes or supplier/provider management.

What's in it for you?

Whatever stage of life you're in, our benefits are designed to provide the support, flexibility, and peace of mind you need to thrive both at work and beyond. In addition to our discretionary annual bonus scheme, which reflects both individual and company performance, you'll benefit from a market-leading benefits package tailored to support your wellbeing, financial security, and family life.

• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
• Private Medical Insurance – company-funded cover for you and your immediate family.
• Generous Pension Scheme – a non-contributory employer contribution of 10%, increasing with length of service up to 15%, plus the opportunity to increase this through salary sacrifice.
• Enhanced Parental Leave – up to 26 weeks' full pay to support growing families.
• Protection Benefits – company-funded critical illness cover, income protection, and life assurance.
• EV salary sacrifice scheme through Tusker.

Reasonable Adjustments

We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all. If you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk.

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

What's next?