Corporate Governance Manager

GBS Group (UK); The Green; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational governance organization seeks a Governance Manager to oversee the professional delivery of corporate governance. The role entails comprehensive support for the Board, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing communications, and developing governance processes. Ideal candidates will possess a strong understanding of higher education governance and essential communication skills. The position includes direct reports and travel to UK and European campuses.

Qualifications

• Proven understanding of academic and corporate governance.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
• Experience in relationship management with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage governance calendar planning and coordination.
• Support senior boards and committees with high-quality secretariat services.
• Promote and embed risk management practices across the organization.

Skills

Understanding of HE governance

Written communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Willingness to travel

Education

Governance-related qualifications (or willingness to pursue)

Job description

Role Purpose

To manage the professional delivery of corporate governance across GEDU, including providing high‑quality servicing for the Board of Directors, Executive Boards, and the Standing Committees of the Boards. To assist the Head of Governance in leading the ongoing development of governance processes and procedures, keeping informed by the relevant national and international directives, policy developments and good practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and coordination of the Governance calendar.
• Ensure reporting deadlines are met in line with the Boards and Committees’ terms of reference.
• Provide high‑quality, accurate advice and guidance on governance, based on an up‑to‑date understanding of a broad range of issues, systems and processes, best practice and frameworks.
• Provide high‑quality secretariat support to senior boards and committees, ensuring the quality and timeliness of agendas and minutes and their distribution, and following up on actions.
• With the Head of Governance, lead the elections to senior committees.
• Actively promote risk‑management best practice and embed risk‑management throughout the organisation.
• Take on any special projects or assist the Head of Governance as required.
• Provide high‑quality communication between the Governance Team and GEDU Institutions, Directors, and senior members of the organisation.
• Provide high‑quality secretariat support to Boards and Committees, including distribution of agendas, minutes and actions.
• Work closely with the Head of Governance and the senior leadership team to ensure regulatory compliance is met.
• Act as liaison between corporate and academic governance teams.
• Line‑manage and support the Governance Officer.
• Develop a network of influence with senior GEDU officers and external peers.
• Provide high‑quality written and oral reports, as required, to the Head of Governance, CEO and other senior staff at GEDU.
• Maintain governance registers, including policies ensuring reviews and approvals are conducted where needed.

Liaison With GEDU Staff

Key relationships are with the Head of Governance, Provost, International Provost, Executive Boards, Academic Boards, Group Chief Finance Officer, Chief Operating Officer, CEO and Deputy CEO of GEDU and its partner organisations.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Excellent understanding of HE governance, including academic and corporate governance.
• Excellent written skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Willingness to travel to UK and European campuses.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Governance‑related qualifications, or the willingness to work toward qualifications in corporate governance.
• Knowledge or experience in risk management.

Other Information

• To GEDU values and regulations, including equal opportunities policy.
• The GEDU’s social, economic and environmental responsibilities and minimising environmental impact in the performance of the role and actively contributing to the delivery of GEDU’s Environmental Policy.
• To their health and safety responsibilities to ensure a safe and secure working environment for staff, students and other visitors to the campus.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned.

Role Dimensions

• Direct reports: Yes
• Travel: Yes
• Budget responsibility: No