Director of Governance in England

Director of Governance in England

England Full-Time 75000 - 90000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Vivid Housing

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead governance and ensure ethical leadership and regulatory compliance.
  • Company: VIVID, a leading provider of affordable homes in the south of England.
  • Benefits: 30 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a generous pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on governance and help deliver safe, high-quality homes.
  • Qualifications: Degree-level education and senior-level experience in governance or non-profit sectors.
  • Other info: Join a vibrant culture that values diversity, inclusion, and personal development.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 ÂŁ per year.

We are VIVID! - We offer a vibrant, friendly, inclusive culture that supports, develops and attracts the best people!

We are seeking an exceptional Director of Governance to serve as the organisation's senior guardian of ethical leadership, regulatory compliance and high‑quality decision‑making. This pivotal role provides strategic oversight of all governance frameworks, ensuring the Board, Committees and Executive operate with clarity, integrity and full accountability in line with the Regulator of Social Housing's standards and wider statutory requirements.

The Director of Governance plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the organisation's reputation, enabling confident decision‑making, and ensuring the organisation delivers safe, high‑quality homes and services for residents while upholding the highest standards of probity and accountability.

Contractually based out of our Portsmouth office, this is a full-time permanent position, working 37 hours per week with a minimum of 20% of this to be office based to promote collaboration and team working.

Want to know what we can offer you?

  • 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays), with the opportunity to buy or sell annual leave
  • A productivity-related bonus scheme to enhance your take-home
  • A generous contributory pension of 6%. We'll match employee contributions between 7% and 10%
  • Life assurance paid at x 3 annual salary
  • Private medical insurance
  • Health care cash plan called Medicash
  • Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
  • Access to counselling, legal and financial information
  • Electric car scheme
  • Huge variety of in-house & e-learning courses and a range of coaching and mentoring programmes

Want to know more about the role:

The Director of Governance will lead the organisational governance shaping a culture of transparency, strong internal controls, and robust organisational stewardship. Key responsibilities include maintaining compliance with the regulatory standards, overseeing company secretariat duties, managing regulatory engagement, and ensuring the organisation's constitutional documents, policies, and governance arrangements remain fit for purpose.

You'll be a member of the senior leadership team (SLT), acting as a trusted advisor to the Chair, Chief Executive and board members, supporting high‑quality governance practice, effective scrutiny, and informed strategic debate.

Responsibilities include:

  • Lead on corporate governance, regulatory compliance and company secretariat activity
  • Ensure smooth operation of Board and Committee meetings, with clear and timely papers and minutes
  • Oversee data protection, fraud, whistleblowing and key governance policies
  • Manage our insurance portfolio, renewals, claims advice and risk‑related support
  • Lead on legal matters including disrepair cases, compliance and contract oversight
  • Inspire and develop a high‑performing team
  • Drive strong financial management, budgeting and risk culture
  • Champion equality, diversity and inclusion and maintain the highest health & safety standards

Qualifications & experience:

  • Degree‑level education
  • Strong track record of continuous professional development, particularly in leadership and improving customer outcomes
  • Proven experience managing budgets, leading teams and delivering organisation‑wide projects
  • Senior‑level experience within a complex or evolving organisation
  • Experience working with non‑executive Boards and leading governance in a non‑profit, charitable or regulated environment
  • Exceptional leadership skills with a strong people focus
  • Ability to produce clear, concise and accurate reports to tight deadlines
  • Strong numeracy, analytical capability and sound judgement

This is a high‑impact role for a strategic leader who can safeguard our governance, support our Board and help us continue delivering excellent services for our customers. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you, so please apply now.

We're a leading provider of affordable homes and extensive support services in the south of England. We believe that everyone has the right to a safe and secure place to call home, and from the moment customers move into their VIVID home we're here to help with that and more.

Our customers have access to a wide range of tailored advice to sustain their tenancies and look after their wellbeing. We invest in our homes and communities for the long-term, and this means in the quality, safety and energy efficiency of existing homes and neighbourhoods, with a firm focus on improving services so they're easy to use and access by our customers.

We're addressing the shortage of affordable housing in the south, building the right type of homes to meet the needs of our local communities. We're the sixth largest developer of new homes amongst housing associations in England, having built over 1,500 last year. This is summed up in our vision "More homes, bright futures".

As a 'people' business, we work hard to create a high-performing and fun working environment. We invest in our people's development, whilst looking after their wellbeing with our award-winning initiatives.

  • From 26 days holiday per year
  • Private medical / medicash benefits
  • Enhanced paternity / maternity leave
  • Electric car scheme

We're committed to diversity and inclusion, and want people from all walks of life to apply for our vacancies. We're a disability confident leader with disabled-friendly offices and we'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to help you; please note your needs on your application form. If you need additional support with your application, please get in touch with us on 02392 896758 or email. We'll be happy to help.

Director of Governance in England employer: Vivid Housing

At VIVID, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and wellbeing. As a Director of Governance based in our Portsmouth office, you will enjoy generous benefits including 30 days of holiday, a robust pension scheme, and access to extensive training programmes, all while playing a crucial role in shaping ethical leadership and governance within our organisation. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community by providing safe, high-quality homes and services for our residents.
Vivid Housing

Contact Detail:

Vivid Housing Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Governance in England

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the governance field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching VIVID and its governance practices. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your understanding of our values and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering high-quality homes and services.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in governance and how it aligns with the role of Director of Governance. We want to hear about your leadership style and how you’ve driven compliance and ethical decision-making in past roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decisions.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Governance in England

Governance Frameworks
Regulatory Compliance
Strategic Oversight
Company Secretariat Duties
Data Protection
Risk Management
Legal Knowledge
Financial Management
Leadership Skills
Team Development
Analytical Capability
Report Writing
Budget Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see why you're excited about being the Director of Governance and how your values align with ours at VIVID.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in governance and compliance. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a strong track record in these areas, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.

Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! When crafting your application, keep your language straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your key skills and experiences.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Vivid Housing

✨Know Your Governance Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in governance frameworks and regulatory compliance. Brush up on the Regulator of Social Housing's standards and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these requirements.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership abilities, especially in managing teams and driving high-quality decision-making. Think about specific situations where you inspired a team or improved governance practices.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills in governance-related issues. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, demonstrating your analytical capabilities.

✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

VIVID values diversity and inclusion, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve championed these principles in your previous roles. Share specific initiatives you’ve led or been part of that promote an inclusive culture.

Director of Governance in England
Vivid Housing
Location: England

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