Director of Governance and Assurance

Accent Group NZ Ltd; Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Colleague benefits

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Accent seeks an accomplished Director of Governance and Assurance to lead the Governance and Business Assurance Directorate, reporting to the CFO. You will safeguard corporate governance, regulatory compliance and risk management across the Group, acting as Company Secretary and advising the Board and committees.

With senior experience in a complex, regulated environment, you will build strong relationships with regulators, auditors and stakeholders, develop high-performing teams, and drive

Qualifications

• Senior governance experience in a regulated environment.
• Experience acting as Company Secretary for a PLC or equivalent.
• Track record advising Boards and committees at senior level.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Governance and Business Assurance Directorate.
• Provide expert advice to the Board and Committees.
• Oversee internal audit, risk and compliance frameworks.
• Lead statutory and regulatory reporting.
• Engage with regulators, auditors and external stakeholders.

Skills

Governance

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Internal audit

Board effectiveness

Education

ICSA/Company Secretary qualification

Job description

At Accent, we believe everyone should have a safe, secure and affordable place to call home. For almost 60 years, we have been helping people build better futures through the provision of quality housing and services across England. This is an exciting time to join Accent. With a strong financial platform, ambitious development plans and a clear corporate strategy, we are continuing to invest in our homes, services and communities while strengthening the governance, assurance and regulatory frameworks that support long-term success.

We are seeking an accomplished Director of Governance and Assurance to lead our Governance and Business Assurance Directorate and play a pivotal role in supporting Accent’s Board, Executive Team and wider organisation. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management and assurance across the Group. Acting as Company Secretary, you will provide expert advice to the Board and Committees, oversee internal audit, risk and compliance frameworks, lead statutory and regulatory reporting, and help ensure Accent continues to maintain a strong reputation with regulators, stakeholders and customers.

We are looking for an experienced governance professional with a track record of operating at a senior level within a complex and regulated environment. You will bring significant expertise in governance, regulation, assurance, risk management and Board effectiveness, together with the credibility to engage confidently with Board members, regulators, auditors and external stakeholders. You may have a professional qualification that enables you to act as Company Secretary for a PLC, such as UKICGI (formerly ICSA), legal or accountancy qualifications, or demonstrate equivalent senior experience. Experience within social housing or a similarly regulated sector would be highly advantageous.

You will be a strategic thinker with excellent judgement, strong analytical and communication skills, and a commitment to high standards of probity, ethics and transparency. Most importantly, you will be a collaborative and empowering leader who can build strong relationships, develop high-performing teams and provide trusted advice that enables effective decision-making across the organisation.

Accent offers a highly flexible approach to work, a strong package of colleague benefits, and an inclusive culture centred on fairness, wellbeing and personal development. If you're inspired by our ambitions and vision,

Closing date: 9am on Monday 9 November 2026