Governance and Controls Manager (12 mth secondment)

NFU Mutual; Wells; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

NFU Mutual is seeking a Governance and Controls Manager for a 12-month contract to lead a team ensuring compliance within the South East region. This managerial role requires strong leadership and relationship-building skills, focused on governance frameworks and risk management. The position offers field-based working with opportunities for growth in a supportive and inclusive company culture.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Annual bonus (up to 25% of salary)

Contributory pension scheme

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Monthly gym membership contribution

Health and wellbeing plan

Employee Volunteering day

Life Assurance cover of 4 x salary

Employee discounts on insurance policies

Qualifications

• Experienced governance professional with strong compliance framework knowledge.
• Experience in risk identification and management.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of governance and compliance professionals.
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies and monitor regulatory adherence.
• Build effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong organization

Autonomy

Ability to hold difficult conversations

Drive and self-motivation

Relationship development

Leadership

Positive attitude towards compliance

Education

Qualification in ACII (or willingness to complete)

Job description

Governance and Controls Manager (12 mth fixed term contract)

• Leading and developing a team of governance and compliance professionals
• Varied role with annual visits to Agents of the NFU Mutual in the South East Region
• Field based working from home with multi site travel 2-3 days per week

About the role

We have an opportunity for a Governance and Controls Manager to join the NFU Mutual Governance and Oversight team (on a 12 month secondment) covering South East England to lead an operational team that increases the strength of the NFU Mutual Agency Network.

As Governance and Controls Manager, you'll not only provide leadership and oversight to your team, but to Quality Development Consultants, and the Regional Regulatory Controller within the region. In-line with our Risk and Governance Frameworks requirements, you'll build and maintain effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective controls are in place to mitigate risk.

Managing the first-line control environment, you'll ensure compliance to all relevant policies and standards, and monitor adherence to key regulatory processes and controls within the Region, including Financial Conduct Authority breaches investigations. You'll also lead, manage and promote development opportunities to your team, enabling them to contribute to both business objectives and realise their full potential.

We are expanding our customer base into the commercial sector as well as the rural sector so it's an exciting time to join the team.

As this role covers agencies across the South East region, you must be able to drive and willing to travel and be prepared for overnight stays on occasion. We would expect you to live in the South East of England.

This role falls under Insurance Distribution Directive requirements, and as a result, role holders will be required to demonstrate ongoing Continuous Professional Development in role, along with undergoing regular re-screening to show that they are of "Good Repute". Further information can be found in the FCA Handbook .

About you

An experienced Governance professional you have a strong knowledge and understanding of the compliance framework and experience of risk identification and management. You confidently establish effective internal and external relationships, utilising your excellent communication skills to collaborate and influence key stakeholders at all levels. To join the team, you must also have the following skills;

• Focussed attention to detail
• Strong organisation - ability to multi-task (50% homeworking)
• Work autonomously in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to hold difficult conversations
• Proven drive and self motivation
• Relationship development skills
• Leadership skills
• Positive attitude towards the role of compliance
• Full UK Driving licence

Managerial experience is also advantageous as you will be coaching, leading and developing your team so any of these skills will be viewed favourably.

A qualification in ACII, or a willingness to complete this when in role, is also desirable.

At NFU Mutual, we support an inclusive workplace and value all the differences that make us unique. We celebrate the creativity and innovation that comes from diverse perspectives and experiences and share a common vision of doing the right thing for our customers and employees.

We recognise that some candidates may experience barriers during the recruitment process. So, we encourage candidates to discuss any adjustments or accommodations they need to be the best they can be throughout our recruitment process.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Race at Work and Women in Finance Charter signatory and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

Benefits and Rewards

When you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including:

• Competitive Salary
• Annual bonus (up to 25% of salary)
• Contributory pension scheme, up to 20%, including your 8% contribution
• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays + buy/sell/save holiday trading scheme
• A Family Friendly policy that helps you balance your work and family responsibilities
• Private medical insurance + options to add family members
• Access to savings at High Street brands, travel and supermarkets
• £20 contribution to a monthly gym membership - subject to T&Cs
• Health and wellbeing plan - cashback for dentist, opticians, physio and more
• Employee Volunteering - volunteer in the community for one day each year
• Unlimited access to Refer a Friend £500 bonus scheme
• Life Assurance cover of 4 x salary
• Employee discounts of 15% on a range of NFU Mutual insurance policies.

Working at NFU Mutual

We're one of the UK's leading general insurance and financial services companies. For over 110 years we've put our customers at the heart of everything we do. Our people are just as important to us.

We pride ourselves on being "a great place to work" and our Gallup Exceptional Workplace 2025 award was not only awarded with Distinction but also named us as the first UK-based company to receive a Gallup Exceptional Workplace for ten years in a row. We are also the only Insurer to feature in the LinkedIn Top 15 Companies 2025 list of 'Best midsize employers to grow your career in the UK', the Glassdoor Best Places to Work UK List 2023 and 2024, and were recognised as a certified UK Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

We offer a supportive culture where we empower and inspire our people to perform, offer them opportunities to grow, and recognise and reward their contribution. Our people are proud to work for a company that respects them and their communities, and they trust us to be financially sustainable, so we are successful now and in the future.