Head of Governance and Assurance (UK)

Leadership of the governance and compliance team in the operations business area. Close working relationships with the MD of Full-Service MSA Delivery (FS-MSA, Operations, or “Ops”), the Operations Delivery Director, Portfolio Directors and GMs will be essential. The Head of Governance and Assurance will have an affiliation with Head of HSEQ, our corporate risk committee and other wider corporate bodies. A relationship with Head of Professional services as many services are delivered into MSA contracts. The role will work closely with the Vercity teams which oversee the delivery of our MSA contracts, and there will be occasions to interface with the respective project investor, counterparties (including public authorities and FM contractors), and the operations senior management team to drive continuous improvement.

Location: Vercity Office, London or Leeds

Reporting To: Managing Director of Operations

Hours: 35

Key Responsibilities:

• Governance and assurance to Portfolio of MSA Projects.
• As a member of the Operations’ Senior Leadership Team, the role involves providing governance and advice to the Vercity teams delivering MSA scope to clients across a large portfolio of PFI projects in the UK.
• The role will provide assurance to assist projects that could experience a range of challenges and require increased focus and strategic thinking.
• Lead the development and implementation of our compliance and assurance strategies across the UK portfolio, individual projects and associated engagements, ensuring alignment with the needs of the specific stakeholders.
• Oversight and leadership of the governance and assurance delivered throughout the FS-MSA Business Area.
• Oversee updates to standard operating procedures, as well as regulatory, H&S, and contract requirements.
• Monitor and report on Assurance Performance, insights, and strategic recommendations.
• Identify and implement “best practices” and opportunities for improvement in assurance and monitoring activities.
• Ensure effective management of governance activities, including reviewing reports and actions as well as any relevant client feedback.
• Continuously review and work with operations leadership to augment all relevant management system (“VMS”), policies and procedures with respect to Vercity’s operational governance and assurance management.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives to enhance governance and assurance performance and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement across Vercity’s portfolios of MSA projects which, in turn, will help to produce business growth and to achieve strategic objectives.
• Lead by example, with a growth mindset, by instilling a culture of continuous improvement and innovation relating to governance and assurance within the Ops Business Area.
• Coach, mentor and deliver relevant training to the Operations division on lessons learned and on key experiences from specific projects.

KPI’s:

We have company-level balanced goals and objectives which includes KPIs relating to People, Culture, Growth and Financial performance. The Head of Governance and assurance will align with these KPIs, but it will be in their remit to propose subsets and operational-level KPIs to help monitor their progress and impact.

Other Responsibilities:

• Providing visionary leadership to inspire and guide client-facing colleagues in the execution of best-practice.
• Coaching and Mentoring: Nurturing a culture of innovation and fostering the development of good governance, assurance and relationship management skills.
• Oversee relevant budgeting process and allocating resources effectively.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including clients, FM providers, partners and industry leaders.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments to inform strategic decisions when advising on governance issues.

Person Specification:

Experience and Knowledge:

• Proven experience and track record of leading Governance and risk management to support growth within a professional services, consulting, or business process outsourcing organisation.
• Experience in the infrastructure or built-asset market, with a reasonable understanding of how projects are delivered and/or managed/maintained through their whole lifecycle.
• Proven track record in assurance and risk management, including identification, mitigation, and reporting of commercial risks.
• Demonstrable capability in building their business-to-business network, creating new relationships and nurturing over time.
• A track record of successful leadership, teamwork and/or team management in their respective field.
• Having a good grasp of various digital and data technologies.
• Proven experience in implementing change and overcoming resistance.
• Proven experience in using data to communicate issues, options and decisions.
• Client-facing experience of co-creating solutions, seeking/responding to feedback and meeting clients’ expectations.
• Experience in integrating ESG and sustainability considerations into operational decision-making.

Personal Attributes:

• Alignment with Vercity’s corporate values: Integrity, Collaboration, Professionalism, and Make-a-difference.
• Strong self-motivation to succeed.
• Forward-thinking and open to exploring new ideas and innovative solutions.
• A compelling communicator with gravitas, tenacity, and a natural ability to ‘read the room’ and adapt their style accordingly.
• Able to navigate through challenges, learn from setbacks, and guide others through various transitions.
• Possessing a ‘growth mindset’ and demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning.
• A passion for driving change, continuous improvement and developing people.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in Governance assurance or risk management and leadership.
• Appropriate qualification or Bachelor’s degree in related business management discipline.
• Master’s Degree (optional but advantageous) in Business Administration (MBA) or a related master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Professional Certifications from relevant professional bodies would enhance a candidate’s attractiveness for this role.

Vercity believes that diversity is paramount to driving creativity, innovation and value for our clients and for our people. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, or social background.