Head of Subsidiary Governance (London)

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Recruitment/Talent Acquisition Manager with over 25 years' experience

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: London – Paddington Workplace Type: Hybrid Employment Type: Permanent Seniority: Mid-Senior Level Who We Are

People have always been at the heart of St. James’s Place, we value long-term relationships and we are a home for people who care about the future – financially, environmentally and socially. These core values have enabled us to become a leading FTSE 100 Wealth Management company. The role:

The Head of Subsidiary Governance is responsible for the development, maintenance and operation of subsidiary governance aspects of the Group Governance framework supporting subsidiaries (directly or indirectly). This role ensures the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of subsidiary level decision making across the Group, aligned to stakeholder expectations, internal control standards, and the strategic needs of a regulated financial services group. Operating at the heart of the organisation, the role partners with senior executives (and non-executives) of the Group’s subsidiaries to promote accountability, transparency, and sound governance. You’ll work in close collaboration with the Group Company Secretary, Deputy Company Secretary and Divisional Director – General Counsel Function Management and Executive Governance to ensure consistency and alignment of governance activity across the SJP Group. What you'll be doing:

Subsidiary and Executive Governance arrangements:

• Working closely with the Divisional Director – General Counsel Function Management and Executive Governance, to lead and oversee the implementation and maintenance of Executive Governance aspects of the Group Governance Framework, particularly as they relate to the GEC and boards of Tier 2 subsidiaries.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations and governance guidelines including but not limited to company law and governance requirements arising from the FCA’s sourcebook.
• Monitor and assess the implications of new or changing legislation, regulation and guidelines and oversee the implementation of changes required to meet new statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Act as Secretary to the GEC and to Tier 2 subsidiary boards and committees.
• In consultation with the Divisional Director – General Counsel Function Management and Executive Governance, ensure that the flows of management information (MI) to the GEC, boards and committees are fit for purpose.
• Act as a subject matter expert and provide support and advice to the business generally on Group Governance Framework, governance processes and reporting requirements, in particular as they relate to subsidiaries and GEC.
• Act as a key point of contact for senior stakeholders in the business.

Delegation of Authority:

• Support the alignment of the DoA framework with governance structures and decision-making protocols.
• Where appropriate, provide advice and guidance on the application of the DoA framework, driving consistency with that framework – linking to proposals and delegations.
• Ensure the Governance Manual and other aspects of the Group’s Governance framework are aligned with, and maintain the integrity of, the DoA framework (e.g. version control, governance compliance, and links to formal ToR, policies), consulting the Deputy Company Secretary and Head of Directorate Management and Executive Governance.

Group Governance and Alignment with Corporate Governance:

• Drive consistency and best practice in governance across subsidiary boards, helping ensure that executive committees and forums have well controlled decision-making processes and are risk aware.
• Ensure that GEC governance activities align with Group companies and their boards of directors.
• Advise on governance standards and best practice, to help ensure Tier 2 Executive Committee (“ExCo”) Secretaries deliver effective information flows and escalation between Tier 2 ExCos and Tier 2 boards.
• Ensure alignment between the Accountable Executives across the business (including their offices) such that the Executive and Tier 2 boards dovetail effectively, collaborating with the Group Company Secretary and Deputy Company Secretary to drive appropriate flows between Tier 1, Tier 2 and Executive levels of governance.

Governance Officer:

• Act as a key Company Secretarial contact (“Governance Officer”) for Tier 2 subsidiary board(s) and/or the relevant Finance, Risk and People functions.
• Provide governance advice to one or more of the CEOs of regulated Tier 2 subsidiaries.
• Advise on governance standards and best practice, liaising closely with Tier 2 Executive Committees (“ExCo’s”) Secretaries to ensure effective information flows and escalation between the respective Tier 2 ExCo and Tier 2 board.
• Ensures alignment between the Accountable Executives across the business (including their offices) such that the Executive and Board dovetail effectively.

Corporate Administration:

• Working with the Deputy Company Secretary, oversee the maintenance of GEC and subsidiary corporate records.
• Work with the Deputy Company Secretary to oversee the identification and cataloguing of controls relating to the Company Secretariat’s responsibilities and working with the team to create a comprehensive service catalogue and effective processes to underpin the services delivered.
• Provide SME advice on governance to Tier 2 regulated entity subsidiaries CEO offices in their administration and oversight of their Executive Committees.
• You’ll work with the Group Company Secretary and Deputy Company Secretary to lead a high performing team responsible for the design, execution, and oversight of the Group’s governance framework (This includes the Group Executive Committee and its sub-committees, ensuring that the structures, documentation, and processes are robust, transparent, and aligned to regulatory expectations).
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of governance professionals, fostering a collaborative and performance driven culture.
• Set clear objectives, coach and develop team members and have direct line management responsibility for members of the Company Secretariat Team.
• Build and develop succession capability across the function and act as a leader and role model.
• As a line manager, you are responsible for onboarding new team members, timely and meaningful performance conversations and creating an environment where individuals and teams can perform.

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified Chartered Secretary and/or relevant experience in governance teams.
• Deep knowledge of governance risk and controls practices, regulatory expectations, and executive level decision making protocols.
• Knowledge of UK corporate law, listing regime and corporate governance codes and basic understanding of wider international regimes would be an asset.
• Experience of working in a FTSE 350 organisation (or equivalent), ideally from within the financial services sector.
• Previous line management experience.
• Ability to navigate governance complexities across business lines, functions, and legal entities, balancing operational agility with robust controls.
• Ability to diagnose and improve governance pain points, including committee overlap, ineffective escalation, or unclear delegations.
• Able to translate regulatory change and internal audit findings into improvements in governance architecture and operational delivery.
• Practical common-sense approach with strong risks and controls mindset.
• Ability to analyse complex information and identify key risks.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritising multiple tasks across multiple disciplines, and bringing tasks / projects to closure.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and the ability to engage and communicate effectively in an inclusive manner with all people at all levels.

Desirable:

• Strong experience of having to assess, interpret and apply regulatory rules and requirements to practical situations would be desirable.
• Experience of providing support to Boards and/or Executive or Board committees (or equivalent) of a listed PLC or a material subsidiary company in a large group would be desirable.

Flexible Working We