Governance Officer

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

You will join the Governance Team at the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, providing professional governance advice and support to committees and boards. You will help ensure compliance with constitutional, statutory and governance requirements while contributing to the organisation's ongoing devolution and growth agenda.

As a Governance Officer, you will manage committee processes, prepare agendas and minutes, offer procedural guidance, and collaborate with senior officers and

Qualifications

• Knowledge of governance, committee or democratic services processes.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and minute taking.
• Experience of building positive working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• The ability to interpret policies, procedures and legislation and apply them in practice.
• Political awareness, sound judgement and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to high standards of governance, accountability and transparency.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on continuous improvement and organisational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Work within a professional Governance team at the centre of the Combined Authority.
• Work closely with Assurance, Legal and Finance to develop and embed governance arrangements that support a rapidly evolving Mayoral Combined Authority.
• Drive forward key projects to strengthen governance assurance, transparency and decision-making processes.
• Play an active role in constitutional development, governance review and organisational improvement.
• Work closely with senior officers, statutory officers and elected members on matters of governance and compliance.
• Contribute to the development of governance arrangements required to support future devolution opportunities and organisational growth.
• Ideal for candidates who enjoy problem solving, building effective governance frameworks and helping organisations navigate change.
• Support the delivery of committee and governance processes, helping ensure decisions are made effectively, transparently and in accordance with statutory requirements.
• Build strong relationships with Members, officers and partner organisations to promote good governance and continuous improvement.

Skills

Governance

Committee administration

Democratic services

Report writing

Minute taking

Stakeholder management

Policy interpretation

Political awareness

Change management

Analytical thinking

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Governance Team at the heart of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, supporting effective decision-making, transparency and accountability across a rapidly evolving organisation. Working closely with elected Members, senior leaders and key stakeholders, you will provide professional governance advice and support to committees, boards and decision-making bodies, helping to ensure compliance with constitutional, statutory and governance requirements. As Governance Officer, you will play a key role in maintaining high standards of corporate governance while supporting the Combined Authority's ambitious agenda for economic growth, devolution and public service improvement. You will help manage committee processes from planning through to implementation, prepare agendas and minutes, provide procedural advice and contribute to the continuous development of governance arrangements that support organisational effectiveness, transparency and public trust and confidence. You will also:

• Work within a professional Governance team at the centre of the Combined Authority.
• Work closely with Assurance, Legal and Finance to develop and embed governance arrangements that support a rapidly evolving Mayoral Combined Authority.
• Drive forward key projects to strengthen governance assurance, transparency and decision-making processes.
• Play an active role in constitutional development, governance review and organisational improvement.
• Work closely with senior officers, statutory officers and elected members on matters of governance and compliance.
• Contribute to the development of governance arrangements required to support future devolution opportunities and organisational growth.
• Ideal for candidates who enjoy problem solving, building effective governance frameworks and helping organisations navigate change.
• Support the delivery of committee and governance processes, helping ensure decisions are made effectively, transparently and in accordance with statutory requirements.
• Build strong relationships with Members, officers and partner organisations to promote good governance and continuous improvement. You will bring experience in governance, democratic services, committee administration or a similar governance-focused environment, together with an understanding of how effective governance supports organisational success. You will be confident providing advice, interpreting procedures and legislation, coordinating complex governance processes and working with a wide range of stakeholders in a professional and politically aware environment.

You will be highly organised, detail-focused and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and professionalism. Above all, you will be someone who enjoys working collaboratively, solving problems and helping shape governance arrangements that support an ambitious and growing organisation. You will also have:

• Knowledge of governance, committee or democratic services processes.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and minute taking.
• Experience of building positive working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• The ability to interpret policies, procedures and legislation and apply them in practice.
• Political awareness, sound judgement and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to high standards of governance, accountability and transparency.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on continuous improvement and organisational effectiveness.

You will be joining a new and developing organisation at an exciting time. The benefits of working for us can be found here; Careers at York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority: Work for us

The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. It is a public sector employer with access to powers and funding to unlock transport and housing improvements, boost skills provision and help the economy transition to net zero for York and North Yorkshire. The Mayor also holds responsibilities in relation to Policing, Fire and Crime. Making the most of the combined strengths of the city region and rural powerhouse, the Combined Authority is a long-term commitment to shaping a brighter future for generations to come. By working for us you will play a part in making positive changes, unlocking investment, supporting business and communities to thrive and creating new and better opportunities for people that live and work here.