Head of Governance

The Calico Group; Burnley; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Hybrid working

Job summary

The Calico Group in Burnley is seeking an experienced governance leader to provide strategic direction across the group. You will advise Board Members and senior leaders on governance matters, assurance, and best practice, ensuring effective governance across the Group, Calico Homes, Syncora and Ring Stones.

The role requires leading Board effectiveness, recruitment, succession planning and development, and contributing to strategic planning and policy development.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of managing Board and Committee meetings.
• Senior governance or company secretarial role background.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Experience advising Senior Stakeholders around Corporate Governance matters.
• Experience within a regulated sector governance environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for governance across The Calico Group, ensuring governance arrangements support objectives and accountability.
• Provide strategic advice to Board Members and senior leaders on governance matters and best practice.
• Oversee governance support, oversight and assurance across the Group and subsidiaries.
• Lead development of governance assurance methodologies, standards and reporting frameworks.
• Provide leadership and professional development to the Governance Team.
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development and business improvement as part of corporate objectives.
• Represent the Group on governance matters with regulators and sector partners.

Skills

Board governance

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic leadership

Governance assurance

People management

Regulated sector experience

Education

CGI Qualification or equivalent

Job description

Provide strategic leadership for Governance across the Group Advise around governance matters, governance assurance and best practice

About Our Client

Founded in 2000, the Calico Group has grown from a small housing provider into an award-winning group of specialist companies and charities. More than 1000 staff have joined us on our journey, and together we work with a shared purpose: to make a real difference to people's lives.To do this, each part of The Calico Group has its own specialism and expertise. Together, we've established a track record across the North-West for providing a complete community service that includes housing, healthcare, support, employability, and construction.

Job Description

Role:

Provide strategic leadership for governance across The Calico Group, ensuring governance arrangements support organisational objectives, effective decision-making and strong accountability.

Provide strategic advice to Board Members, Executive Directors and senior leaders on governance matters, governance assurance and best practice.

Ensure appropriate governance support, oversight and assurance arrangements are in place across the Group, Calico Homes, Syncora and Ring Stones

Provide strategic oversight of governance services delivered to Group Board, subsidiary Boards and Committees.

Oversee Board effectiveness reviews, Board member recruitment, succession planning, induction, development and appraisal arrangements, ensuring continuous improvement in governance capability.

Lead the development of governance assurance methodologies, standards and reporting frameworks used across the Group.

Provide leadership, direction and professional development to the Governance Team.

Actively contribute towards organisational decision-making, strategic planning, policy development, business improvement and the achievement of corporate objectives.

Represent the Group on governance matters with regulators, external reviewers, governance networks, professional bodies and sector partners where appropriate.

The Successful Applicant

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of managing Board and Committee meetings
• Strong working background within a senior governance or company secretarial role
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Demonstrable background of advising Senior Stakeholders around Corporate Governance matters
• Excellent governance experience from within a regulated sector
• Brilliant people management experience
• CGI Qualified, Legal, or similar

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the NHF Code of Governance, the Charity Code of Governance, and the Wates Principles.

What's on Offer

• Salary: £57,000 + benefits
• Location: Burnley
• Hybrid working: example 2 days per week in the office
• Advert close date: 23rd September

Interview Process:

• First stage interview: Wednesday 7th October 2026 (online)
• Second stage interview: Tuesday 13th October 2026 (face to face)