Head Of Governance

James Stevens Associates; Chatham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

MHS Homes is a charitable housing group serving communities across North Kent, with a clear purpose to provide safe, sustainable homes. James Stevens Associates is partnering to recruit its next Head of Governance, reporting to the Executive Director of Governance & Risk and leading the Governance Team as Assistant Company Secretary.

This role offers direct Board exposure and the chance to shape governance across a regulated housing group, with hybrid working: three days in the office and two

Qualifications

• Experience governance, risk and compliance in a large regulated organisation.
• Experience working with Boards and committees.
• Qualified or part-qualified company secretarial background, or equivalent experience.
• Graduate-level education or a professional qualification.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the governance framework, policy arrangements and documents.
• Oversee Board and committee meetings, forward plans, papers, minutes and actions.
• Support Board effectiveness, leadership development and succession planning.
• Develop risk management strategy, assurance map and risk register.
• Ensure statutory/regulatory compliance including filings and self-assessments.
• Manage outsourced internal audit contract and plan with the Exec Team.
• Lead four colleagues, managing governance budget and team resilience.

Skills

Governance & risk

Company secretarial

Drafting skills

People leadership

Education

Company secretarial qualification

Graduate/professional qualification

Job description

James Stevens Associates are delighted to be partnering with MHS Homes to recruit its next Head of Governance. This is a position offering direct Board exposure, responsibility for an established team and the opportunity to shape governance across a distinctive housing group.

• Head of Governance
• MHS Homes | Chatham, Kent | Permanent
• £70,000
• Hybrid working: three days per week in the office x 2 days from home

For a governance professional who wants to see their advice influence meaningful decisions, this is an opportunity to make a lasting contribution.

About MHS Homes

MHS Homes is a charitable housing group serving communities across North Kent, with a clear purpose: helping to provide safe, sustainable homes.

Its registered provider, Heart of Medway, received C1, G1 and V1 grades following its July 2025 regulatory inspection. These strong foundations provide an attractive setting for someone who wants to develop assurance and help Boards maintain a clear view of performance, risk and residents' experiences.

The opportunity

Reporting to their Executive Director of Governance & Risk, you will lead the Governance Team and fulfill the role of Assistant Company Secretary, deputising as required.

Louise brings extensive experience across housing and the charity sector. Working closely with her, you will combine the judgement to advise senior leaders with the practical ownership needed to deliver effective governance every day.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing the group's governance framework, governing documents and policy arrangements.
• Overseeing Board and committee business, including forward plans, papers, minutes and follow-through on decisions.
• Supporting Board effectiveness, member development and succession planning.
• Developing the risk management strategy and assurance map, maintaining the corporate risk register and reporting to Boards.
• Overseeing statutory and regulatory compliance, including accurate filings, returns and self-assessments.
• Managing the outsourced internal audit contract and developing the forward plan with the Executive Team.
• Leading and developing four colleagues, building team resilience and managing the governance and compliance budget.

What you will bring:

You will have proven experience across governance, risk and compliance within a large organisation in a regulated sector, including working with Boards and committees.

We are looking for someone who can build trust, challenge constructively and turn complex requirements into clear advice and effective practice.

You will also bring:

• Experience leading people, developing capability and delegating effectively.
• Strong company secretarial knowledge and excellent drafting skills.
• Sound judgement, attention to detail and confidence managing competing deadlines.
• A qualified or part-qualified company secretarial background, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Graduate-level education or a professional qualification.

Social housing experience is desirable. Applications are also welcome from professionals with relevant experience in education, public services, charities or other regulated sectors.

Some of the Benefits which MHS offer:

• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Performance based bonus
• Pension contributions matched up to 6%.
• Payment of annual professional membership fees.
• At least five days of development each year.
• Free on-site parking and a range of wellbeing and flexible benefits.
• Hybrid working, with three days each week at the Broadside office in Chatham.

Interviews are provisionally planned for 26-27 October 2026 in Chatham