Deputy Governance Director

Smiths Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Group is seeking a Deputy Governance Director to deliver high-quality governance support to the Group Board and Committees, shaping a robust governance framework. The role oversees the Annual Report governance, MAR and disclosure obligations, registrar strategy and executive share plans, leading a team to deliver best-in-class governance across the Group.

Professionally qualified governance expert with strong knowledge of UK law is essential; you will influence senior stakeholders,

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified Chartered Governance professional.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience of UK company law, listing rules, corporate governance and listed company regulatory compliance and risk.
• Highly organised, with a structured approach to managing high‑profile governance activity.
• Strong judgement and analytical capability, able to navigate ambiguity and provide clear, pragmatic advice.
• Proven ability to influence and partner senior stakeholders, including Non-executive Directors and Executive Committee members.
• Confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills, able to adapt style and produce high‑quality Board‑level documentation.
• Self‑motivated, resilient and curious, with a strong drive to challenge the status quo and deliver continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted adviser on corporate governance matters, supporting effective Board and committee decision‑making across the Group.
• Influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders, including the Board, Executive Committee, management and external advisers, providing clear advice and constructive challenge.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legal, listing rule and regulatory requirements, maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of best practice and external developments in governance, risk and internal controls.
• Act as Secretary to the Audit & Risk Committee and the Group Disclosure Committee, providing advice, including on MAR and disclosure obligations, and producing high‑quality Board and committee papers.
• Take ownership of the delivery of the Annual Report, including drafting and oversight of the governance sections.
• Develop and manage the registrar strategy and retail shareholder services, ensuring high‑quality delivery and value for money.
• Provide oversight of Executive Share Plans and Sharesave arrangements, ensuring robust governance and effective participant engagement.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in governance processes across the Group including through the use of AI
• Manage outsourced providers and external spend, ensuring effective supplier performance, resilience and value through active engagement and RFP processes.
• Lead, motivate and develop a team of three professionals ensuring resources are managed effectively to deliver best in class professional governance support for the business

Skills

Chartered Governance

UK company law

Corporate governance

Risk management

Stakeholder influence

Board documentation

Communication skills

Education

Chartered Governance qualification

Job description

Smiths Group designs, manufactures and delivers smarter engineering solutions for mission-critical applications, solving some of the world's toughest problems for our customers, our communities and our world. For over 170 years, Smiths Group has been pioneering progress by improving the world through smarter engineering.

We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient and better-connected world, across four major global markets: Energy, General Industry, Security & Defence, and Aerospace. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs 14,600 colleagues in over 50+ countries.

This pioneering spirit continues to drive us today, underpinned by our powerful culture. Improving our world is what we do, how we think, and how we will continue to use our passion for technology and engineering to tackle our customers biggest challenges today and in the future. We're looking for people with curious minds. Who want responsibility and relish a challenge. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting out, our global scale and focus on growth means we have some great career opportunities for you. There's never been a better time to join Smiths.

The Deputy Governance Director is responsible for delivering high‑quality and effective governance support to the Smiths Group plc Board and Committees and to shareholders. The role plays a key part in shaping and maintaining a robust Group governance framework, providing clear, pragmatic advice on legal, listing rule, regulatory and compliance obligations, and exercising sound professional judgement to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in governance effectiveness across the Group.

Duties:

Act as a trusted adviser on corporate governance matters, supporting effective Board and committee decision‑making across the Group.

Influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders, including the Board, Executive Committee, management and external advisers, providing clear advice and constructive challenge.

Ensure compliance with applicable legal, listing rule and regulatory requirements, maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of best practice and external developments in governance, risk and internal controls.

Act as Secretary to the Audit & Risk Committee and the Group Disclosure Committee, providing advice, including on MAR and disclosure obligations, and producing high‑quality Board and committee papers.

Take ownership of the delivery of the Annual Report, including drafting and oversight of the governance sections.

Develop and manage the registrar strategy and retail shareholder services, ensuring high‑quality delivery and value for money.

Provide oversight of Executive Share Plans and Sharesave arrangements, ensuring robust governance and effective participant engagement.

Drive continuous improvement and innovation in governance processes across the Group including through the use of AI

Manage outsourced providers and external spend, ensuring effective supplier performance, resilience and value through active engagement and RFP processes.

Lead, motivate and develop a team of three professionals ensuring resources are managed effectively to deliver best in class professional governance support for the business

You should note that your title and job description are not exhaustive and the Company may require you from time to time to undertake other reasonable tasks within your capacity.

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Professionally qualified Chartered Governance professional, with strong technical and academic credentials.

Sound knowledge and practical experience of UK company law, listing rules, corporate governance and listed company regulatory compliance and risk.

Highly organised, with a structured approach to managing high‑profile governance activity.

Strong judgement and analytical capability, able to navigate ambiguity and provide clear, pragmatic advice.

Proven ability to influence and partner senior stakeholders, including Non-executive Directors and Executive Committee members.

Confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills, able to adapt style and produce high‑quality Board‑level documentation.

Self‑motivated, resilient and curious, with a strong drive to challenge the status quo and deliver continuous improvement.

Additional Information

Diversity & Inclusion:

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.