Governance Manager

UK Sport; Loughborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A national sports organisation based in Loughborough is looking for a proactive Governance Manager to ensure effective governance practices. This role involves providing oversight and guidance to the Board and supporting compliance with regulatory frameworks. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in governance and experience working with senior leadership teams. The role requires a blend of strong organisational and IT skills, and participation is expected in the office at least 3 days a week.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of corporate governance and compliance frameworks.
• Experience working with Boards in a governance role.
• Excellent project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the swim governance review.
• Oversee compliance with governance regulations.
• Support governance processes for the Board and senior leadership.

Skills

Corporate governance knowledge

Regulatory compliance experience

Health & Safety compliance knowledge

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

IT skills (Microsoft Office)

Education

Governance-related training or qualification

Job description

About Us

Swim England is the recognised national governing body for swimming, artistic swimming, diving and water polo in England. We help people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely, and maximise their potential in aquatic sport at every level - from community participation to world‑class performance.

We work with clubs, coaches, teachers and volunteers across the country to create safe, inclusive and inspiring aquatic environments. As a membership organisation and charity, we are committed to supporting the growth of our sports, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, and ensuring everybody has the opportunity to enjoy a lifelong love of the water.

About the Role

We're looking for a proactive and detail-driven Governance Manager to play a key role in ensuring Swim England operates transparently, effectively and in line with recognised best practice. You'll provide governance oversight and guidance to our Board, Committees and senior leaders, strengthening accountability and helping to embed a positive governance culture across the organisation.

You’ll act as a trusted adviser on governance, regulatory compliance and Health & Safety, offering practical support to staff and volunteers. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence organisational improvement and make a meaningful contribution to the integrity and sustainability of aquatics nationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and ongoing management of the Swim England Governance Review Implementation Plan.
• Oversee compliance with the UK Code for Sports Governance, Charity Commission and Companies House requirements, with the potential to act as Company Secretary.
• Support governance processes for the Board, Committees and senior leadership, including recruitment, induction and evaluation.
• Maintain and update core governance documentation, including Articles of Association, Terms of Reference, the Swim England Handbook and organisational policies.
• Oversee Health & Safety responsibilities across Swim England.
• Coordinate production of the Annual Governance Statement and other reports to the Board and the Audit, Risk & Governance Committee.
• Support strategic risk management processes.
• Provide advice, guidance and training to staff and volunteers to strengthen governance culture and practice.
• Monitor and advise on emerging governance, compliance and regulatory developments relevant to sport and the wider sector.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Strong knowledge of corporate governance, compliance and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience working with Boards, Committees or senior leadership teams in a governance or company secretarial role.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety compliance frameworks.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence to advise and influence at all levels.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and maintaining governance documents (e.g. Articles of Association, Terms of Reference, policies).
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Code for Sports Governance.
• Experience in a sports organisation, charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience supporting risk management processes, compliance monitoring or assurance frameworks.
• Experience as a Company Secretary and/or Company secretarial qualification (e.g. ICSA/CGI) or governance-related training.
• Health & Safety training or qualification (e.g. IOSH Managing Safely).

If you feel you have the suitable skills and attributes for this position then we would love to read your application, detailing how you meet the brief, and how you believe you’re the right candidate for this opportunity.

Please be advised that we cannot offer visa sponsorship and that you must have right to work in the UK to apply or be considered for this role. If you are a non UK/EU National, you must have an appropriate working Visa to undertake employment. You must also be working within the UK to apply or be considered for this role, due to the public liability insurance Swim England holds.

Swim England is committed to inclusion and embracing the spirit of all equalities legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled people. We recognise that the diversity of our workforce is not reflective of today’s society and we are currently operating a pilot scheme whereby applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds can opt into our guaranteed interview scheme. Candidates that have opted into the scheme will be guaranteed an interview provided that they have demonstrated, within their application, that they meet the essential criteria for the role. When emailing the CV and cover letter, applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to state they wish to ‘Opt In’ to the scheme.

Where possible, Swim England will always make reasonable adjustments for accessibility to anyone who requires it. If you would like any of the documentation in a different format or would like to apply in a different way please get in touch via [e-mail]. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, in line with the Equality Act 2010. However, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

This job is SportPark based (minimum of 3 days in the office).