Corporate Governance and Risk Manager

Tourism continues to be one of Northern Irelands most recognisable good news stories. Tourism NI is responsible for the development of tourism product and experiences across Northern Ireland as well as marketing to visitors within Northern Ireland and from the Republic of Ireland. Tourism is an industry that makes a real difference to the economy and job creation, accounting for 70,000 jobs, 9% of all jobs in Northern Ireland. In 2023 overnight visitors to Northern Ireland spent £1.2 billion, demonstrating tourisms importance to the Northern Ireland economy. Tourism NIs consumer brand Embrace a Giant Spirit has been widely adopted and is playing an important role in creating stand out for Northern Ireland as a destination. The brand encapsulates the spirit of the people, warmth of the welcome and the authenticity of the visitor experience in Northern Ireland. Brand campaigns are encouraging more visitors from key markets to experience a trip to Northern Ireland with particular success in attracting more visitors across the border. In 2023 there was an unprecedented number of visitors from the Republic to Northern Ireland, with over 1.3 million trips accounting for almost one quarter of all trips made in Northern Ireland. Overseas visitor accounted for over one third of all trips in Northern Ireland in 2023, while increasingly more Northern Ireland product is being added to tour operators itineraries from international markets. Tourism NI works closely with Tourism Ireland to win a bigger share of visitors to the island of Ireland. In 2024, Tourism Ireland set the target to grow regional, off-peak overseas tourism revenue by an average +6.5% year on year to 2030. Current investment includes a multi-million-pound refurbishment programme at Titanic Belfast, new hotels in Belfast, Derry~Londonderry, and the North Coast and an expanding screen tourism product. Tourism NI is currently part of the bidding process to attract a number of major international events to Northern Ireland over the next five years, while planning is already underway to make the most of the opportunities in 2025 when The Open will return to Royal Portrush. Tourism NI is also closely involved in the tourism elements of the City and Growth Deal Programmes which will be crucial in helping to secure more spend from international visitors to the island. The Belfast Stories attraction, a maritime visitor attraction for Derry, the extension to The Gobbins, the Mourne Gateway Project and the regeneration of Hillsborough will add to our portfolio and complement the better known attractions. With a significant investment by both Tourism NI and the Department for the Economy in supporting the industry through recent challenges, the focus is now firmly on full recovery and a return to growth. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGER GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY The purpose of this role is to act as the pillar of Tourism NIs Corporate Governance function, driving forward the governance, compliance and risk management processes within the organisation. The Corporate Governance and Risk Manager will develop and maintain an appropriate governance framework to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and best practices. The post-holder will be a member of a small team that will report to the Head of Financial Accounts. This position plays a key role in supporting the Board, Senior Management, and Stakeholders in maintaining transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making within the organisation as it works towards achieving its objectives. This post-holder will work to develop a systematic approach to review, document and evaluate existing governance frameworks and internal controls, embedding new processes where required to allow the organisation to operate effectively and efficiently. The post-holder will champion risk management throughout Tourism NI, working with management to drive the adoption of effective corporate risk management practices, procedures and systems, whilst ensuring that risk management remains an integral and dynamic element of overall management activity and reported effectively through to Senior Management and Board. Main Duties The post-holder will be responsible for the following areas of activity: Governance Lead on governance accountability and internal advice to Tourism NI colleagues and management teams. Support the Head of Financial Accounts to ensure that Tourism NI fulfils its commitments to the Department of Finance governance guidance. Design, plan and undertake Corporate Governance Reviews at regular intervals working alongside colleagues and management teams including ongoing advice in respect of organisational best practice and support with agreed improvement plans. Design and maintain a Corporate Governance manual, ensuring that all corporate governance processes and internal controls across the organisation are documented. Develop a schedule of compliance testing to ensure that internal controls are operating effectively throughout the organisation. Produce accurate and timely Corporate Governance reports for Senior Management, the Board and the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. Manage and co-ordinate all Departmental Corporate Governance returns including, but not limited to, Assurance Statements. Undertake a robust challenge function to all assurances provided by Tourism NI employees in the completion of the bi-annual assurance statement and all other Corporate Governance returns. Assist the Head of Financial Accounts in providing secretariat support to the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC). Support in the management of the Internal Audit contract including quarterly reporting and the internal audit recommendations register. Business Planning and Risk Management Manage the day-to-day running of the governance function using appropriate systems, processes, policies, procedures, and practices to meet the needs of the business. Lead on the Risk Management Framework to support Senior Management with identifying risks to the delivery of Tourism NIs Corporate and Operating Plans. Lead on the quarterly review of the Risk Register including monitoring performance against the Operating Plan. Lead on the management and oversight of the quarterly Risk Register reporting process to Senior Management, the Board and the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. Manage a rigorous process to report on Tourism NIs Corporate and Operating Plans, demonstrating the organisations effectiveness, return on investment and risk. Oversee the maintenance of the Risk Management and Performance Reporting system, advising risk owners, control owners and action owners on the quality of data captured. Maintain effective relationships with internal clients and strategic partners with a view to better informing strategy development, business planning and improving the quality of Tourism NIs organisational performance. Provide training on risk management and performance reporting at all levels in the organisation, developing a comprehensive set of support materials including videos, documentation and internal intranet site. Employee Management Support the Head of Financial Accounts with the recruitment, management, and development of the Corporate Governance team to ensure that key activities are undertaken in an efficient and effective manner. Provide line management responsibility for employee development within the team ensuring motivation, coaching and efficient and effective use of people and their skills. Ensure that that all activities of the team are managed in line with Tourism NIs policies, procedures, values, and behaviours. Ensure that learning and development plans are in place and performance reviews are undertaken within the required timescales. Assist the Head of Financial Accounts by ensuring that resources are used effectively and in accordance with Tourism NIs governance and financial policies and procedures. Personal Development, Performance and Professionalism Demonstrate a high level of personal integrity and maintain professional standards throughout the organisation. Demonstrate the values and behaviours of Tourism NI and its employees. Adhere to organisational policies, procedures and professional standards while representing Tourism NI both internally and externally. Corporate Management Responsibility Deliver effective leadership to create and sustain a high-performing team. Act as the central point of contact for all matters relating to the business unit. Provide briefing material and draft responses / correspondence as and when required by Tourism NIs Executive Leadership Team, Board, Department for the Economy, the NI Assembly, members of the tourism industry and the general public within the specified timelines and in an appropriate format. Lead on the delivery of project work within the Unit and across Tourism NI including representation at working groups and meetings. Contribute to the development of the Annual Operating Plan, the achievement of tourism targets and promote the corporate values and behaviours within the Team and across the organisation. Provide cover for Senior Management within the Division to include decision making and attending meetings in the absence of colleagues. Attend training as and when required and keep abreast of current developments in your area of work. Maintain, store, and dispose of records in accordance with Tourism NIs information governance policy including the use of Microsoft Teams, Dynamics 365 and SharePoint. Any other duties commensurate with the grade as required by Tourism NI. This Job Description has been written at a time of organisational change and it will be subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve. Therefore, the Job Holder will be required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the Job Description, but which are commensurate with the role. PERSON SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL CRITERIA EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Option 1 A relevant* sixth-level qualification (undergraduate degree or equivalent) as detailed in the qualification framework overleaf. AND A minimum of 2 years experience in a Corporate Governance role to include TWO of the following: Risk Management Performance Reporting Internal Controls/Compliance Testing *A relevant qualification would include Accountancy, Business, Law, Finance or Governance. Other fields may be accepted where relevance to the role is clearly demonstrated. OR (where qualification is not held): Option 2 A minimum of 4 years experience in a Corporate Governance role to include, at a minimum, TWOof the following: Risk Management Performance Reporting Internal Controls/Compliance Testing ESSENTIAL CRITERIA – Personal Effectiveness Negotiation, influencing and communication skills, to include verbal/written communication, report writing and presentation skills, which have the ability to influence and build strong working relationships at all levels with multiple internal and external stakeholders. Organisational and planning skills, including the ability to work to strict deadlines, prioritise tasks and attention to detail. Analytical skills and commitment to continuous improvement Ability to work independently to deliver outcomes, including identifying risks and mitigating actions. IT/Computer literacy skills including practical experience in the use of excel, word and risk management systems. Desirable Criteria Education / Qualifications & Experience: The interview panel may shortlist only those applicants who exceed the minimum requirements for the role, by invoking the following desirable criteria in order: (i)Option 1 3 or more years experience (ii)Option 2 5 or more years experience (iii)A professional qualification in the area of Accountancy, Audit, Corporate Governance, or Risk Management, for example from the Institute of Risk Management. Please note, experience must still include TWO of the following: (i) Risk Management (ii) Performance Reporting (iii) Internal Controls / Compliance Testing ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This is not an exhaustive list of duties and requirements. The nature of the organisation is such that it must respond to the dynamic environment in which it operates and the nature of duties, tasks, knowledge and skills required for this post will evolve and change in time. The Job Holder is expected to adapt to these changes and develop the role as a result. Applicants must also possess a current driving licence and use of a car for business purposes or have access to a form of transport which will permit the applicant to meet the requirements of the post in full. EQUALITY STATEMENT Tourism NI is committed to equality and will comply with the Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998) statutory duties which requires designated public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the nine equality categories and to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief; political opinion; and racial group. The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) Section 49A requires designated public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons, and to the need to encourage participation by disabled persons in public life. FOR FULL APPLICATION PACK PLEASE VISIT GETGOT BY CLICKING APPLY BELOW COMPLETING APPLICATIONS Those wishing to apply you should submit a completed application via GetGot no later than Monday 10th February 2025 date at 12 noon. CVs will not be accepted as a substitute/supplement to the application form. TOURISM NI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPL