Head of Governance and Compliance

We have a great opportunity for a Head of Governance and Compliance to be responsible for compliance and governance practices, ensuring adherence to applicable statutory and regulatory obligations and the requirements of UPP control frameworks. Being accountable for managing, administering and monitoring governance and compliance deliverables as required by relevant statutory, regulatory and UPP policy rules.

The Head of Governance and Compliance has responsibility for compiling all relevant Board and Committee packs, organising and coordinating meetings, and taking ownership for company secretary deliverables including minute-taking for certain Committees and Boards. Providing strategic leadership across governance and compliance activities, engaging directly with the Chair, CEO, CFO, Board members and senior leaders to ensure effective communication, alignment and oversight.

A key focus for this role will be in driving the development and optimisation of automation and company secretariat processes, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall governance effectiveness. This is a hybrid role based in our award-winning offices near London Bridge, Cannon Street and Monument stations.

Key role responsibilities include:

• Manage main Board, Board Committee meetings and Executive Leadership Team meetings along with the cycle timetable, including maintaining terms of reference, drafting agendas, collating Board/committee pack, drafting minutes and dissemination and management of meeting actions.
• Responsible for establishing with the Chairman, CEO and relevant Boards and Committees an effective governance framework that complies with relevant good practice and is tested/reviewed on a regular basis to ensure effectiveness, including the Shareholders Agreement and Delegated Authorities Matrix.
• Subject matter expert on companies’ law matters and corporate governance codes, providing governance advice and guidance to the Board, Committees and the wider business.
• Responsible for establishing and keeping relevant the Company policies library to ensure effective compliance with risk management practices, laws and regulations, including the automation of governance tasks, where technology allows.
• Deliver company secretariat activities e.g. dividend processes, shareholder capital request and where required, preparing/administering documentation in support of these activities.
• Ensure compliance with Euronext Dublin/TISE continuing obligations relative to the listed bonds and the listed REIT, including publishing and disseminating accounts, coordinating regulatory announcements and disclosures, producing Investor reports and other periodic financial reporting.
• Lead on automation and company secretariat processes, considering options available and how technology could assist the function.
• Build strong partnerships and be a key liaison/advisor to Chairman, CEO, CFO and Group Legal, Risk and Compliance Director on governance, compliance and company secretary matters.

This is an opportunity to shape and elevate the governance and compliance agenda at a strategic level. You’ll play a central role in strengthening the organisation’s governance framework, driving innovation through digitalisation, and influencing decision-making. If you’re motivated by continuous improvement, trusted leadership and building a future-ready governance function, this role offers challenge, visibility and the ability to lead with credibility.

We are looking for you to be ICSA qualified with experience of leading a Corporate Secretariat function within public or private sector with experience of:

• Establishing and maintaining Corporate Governance best practice across a complex matrixed company.
• Leading the production and submission of annual reports.
• Managing GDPR risk and mitigation responsibility.
• Closely collaborating with C-suite stakeholders and being a trusted advisor.
• Leading high performing teams and building strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Utilising technology to enhance, automate and optimise governance and compliance processes.

You will have a professional, structured and rigorous approach, with excellent communication and analytical skills. Results focused and highly organised, able to prioritise effectively and maintain exceptional attention to detail. You will also be self-motivated, innovative and forward thinking.

In return, we are offering a competitive salary with a great benefits package which includes a discretionary 20% performance bonus, 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, private healthcare, pension, enhanced family leave policy, life assurance, training, two paid volunteering or personal development days and cycle to work scheme.

UPP welcomes all applications and recognises the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities we work with and has a positive impact on our people, our student residents, and our university partners. We understand all disabilities, impairments and conditions are unique, so please advise us of any adjustments to support you through our recruitment process and help you to thrive at work.

Our core values of Innovation, Sustainability, Community, Partnership and Respect are fundamental to our culture and summarise what is important to our business and our people. We are a team with energy, pace and passion; if that sounds like you, apply today and one of our in-house recruitment team will be in contact.