Governance Manager (Hybrid)

VANRATH; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare scheme

Hybrid working (2 fixed office days)

Generous annual leave + 13 holidays

Employer pension contribution 10%

On-site car parking

Career development funding

Job summary

Vanrath is recruiting a Governance Manager for a growing housing association based in Belfast. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this leadership role oversees governance, regulatory compliance, risk management and Board support within a values-driven social purpose organisation.

The successful candidate will collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team and Board to strengthen performance, embed continuous improvement and uphold accountability and transparency.

Qualifications

• Degree or professional qualification in governance or corporate services.
• Minimum 3 years governance or board/committee support experience.
• Experience in risk management, policy development and regulatory compliance.
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills.
• Public sector or housing association background is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of Board and Committee cycles; prepare agendas and minutes.
• Manage regulatory reporting to DoC, Charity Commission NI and FCA.
• Oversee risk management framework and quarterly risk registers.
• Maintain corporate policy register and track review dates.
• Coordinate internal audit function and Internal Audit Register.
• Ensure GDPR/SARs compliance and records management.
• Maintain Fraud Register and support fraud prevention activities.
• Develop performance monitoring systems and KPI scorecards.
• Provide executive support to CEO and SLT; diary management and minutes.
• Line manage the Corporate Services Officer.

Skills

Governance

Risk management

Policy development

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Degree in related area

Chartered Secretary

Job description

VANRATH is recruiting a Governance Manager on behalf of a growing housing association based in Belfast. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this is a key leadership role responsible for corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management and Board support within a values-driven social purpose organisation.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Board to strengthen organisational performance, embed continuous improvement and uphold high standards of accountability and transparency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of Board and Committee cycles, including agenda preparation, paper dispatch, minute-taking and action tracking
• Manage all regulatory reporting and returns to bodies such as the Department for Communities, Charity Commission NI and Financial Conduct Authority
• Oversee the organisation's risk management framework, including preparation of quarterly risk registers and monitoring of risk actions
• Maintain the corporate policy register, tracking review dates and flagging gaps in the policy framework
• Co-ordinate the internal audit function, liaising with retained auditors and managing the Internal Audit Register
• Deliver corporate compliance requirements including data protection (GDPR/SARs), records management and complaints handling
• Maintain the Fraud Register and support fraud prevention activity
• Develop performance monitoring systems and lead on KPI scorecard preparation
• Provide executive support to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, including diary management, SLT minutes and ad hoc project work
• Line manage the Corporate Services Officer

About You

• Degree in a related area, or Chartered Secretary / equivalent professional qualification
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a governance or corporate services role with responsibility for Board and committee support
• Demonstrable experience in risk management, policy development and regulatory compliance
• Strong project management skills with the ability to balance strategic priorities and day-to-day delivery
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Public sector or housing association experience is desirable but not essential

Package

• Salary £48,000 - £52,400 with annual incremental progression
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Healthcare scheme
• Generous annual leave plus 13 statutory holidays
• Hybrid working (2 fixed office days per week)
• Flexible start and finish times
• On-site car parking
• Career development support including funding for professional qualifications