Head of Governance

INDEPENDENT AGE; London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 66,000; Part time

Job summary

Independent Age seeks a Head of Governance to oversee governance and risk management within the charity. This part-time role involves leading teams and ensuring compliance with regulations, while promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. The ideal candidate will have senior-level experience in charity governance and a commitment to safeguarding.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus public holidays

Generous pension scheme with life assurance

Learning and development opportunities

Enhanced leave provisions

Qualifications

• Senior level experience in charity governance and safeguarding.
• Ability to implement pragmatic solutions.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Governance and Risk, and Facilities teams.
• Manage governance, risk management, and office facilities.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety and safeguarding protocols.

Skills

Governance

Risk Management

Communication

Job description

Location: Avonmore Road, London W14 8RR with some hybrid working (on average 2 days per week required in the office)

Salary: £65,678per year pro-rata (£32,839 for 17.5 hours)

Permanent, Part-Time (0.5FTE, 17.5 hours per week, normally over 2.5 days)

ClosingDate: Sunday 22 June 2025

Reference: X218-25

Independent Age is the national charity focused on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life. We believe no one should face financial hardship in later life.

Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free, practical support to older people without enough money to live on. Through our grants programme, we support local organisations working with older people across the UK.

We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change.

We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification:

The Head of Governance will lead the charity’s small Governance and Risk, and Facilities teams. They are responsible for governance, company secretarial, risk management, health and safety, safeguarding, information governance, procurement and contracts management, business continuity planning, and management of facilities and the charity's office and small portfolio of other properties.

The role would suit someone who enjoys a broad remit and working with colleagues across the charity, who can think around issues and implement pragmatic solutions. As the role has a wide remit, the ability to learn quickly will be key. Candidates will need senior level experience of charity governance, risk management and safeguarding, ideally working with adults at risk. Applicants will need to be good communicators, verbally and in writing.

This role is 0.5FTE (17.5 hours per week), normally to be worked across 2.5 days a week, and at least 2 days per week. There is some flexibility about how the hours can be worked, with attendance required at specific management and trustee meetings. Office attendance will be required on average 2 days a week for meetings and due to responsibility for office management.

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway.

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rata), a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits.

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. We support flexible working hours and hybrid working where possible within the requirements of the role. If there is a form of flexibility that you need, we are always happy to talk flexible working.

You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age here.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification, by clicking the Apply Online button below (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name.

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer. A Basic DBS Certificate check will be required for this role.

Closing Date: Sunday 22 June, 11:59pm

Interview Dates: First interviews will be held at our offices on 2nd and 3rd July. We anticipate a final interview stage to take place the following week, on Thursday 10th July.