Head of Governance

GENERAL DENTAL COUNCIL; London; On-site; GBP 82,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

The General Dental Council seeks an experienced Head of Governance to lead their corporate governance function. The successful candidate will play a crucial role as a strategic advisor, ensuring robust decision-making while fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. This role offers competitive compensation, flexible work options, and a commitment to diversity.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexi-time scheme

Employer pension contributions up to 10%

Buy/Sell annual leave

Enhanced parental leave

Life assurance and income protection

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Experience as a senior leader or Secretary to a Board or Committee.
• Understanding corporate governance and legal processes.
• Aptitude for strategic thinking and relationship building.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver corporate governance functions.
• Provide strategic advice to executive leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Corporate Governance

Communication

Education

Experience as a Senior Leader

Knowledge of Legal Processes

Job description

Salary: £82,222 - £96,731 pa

Hours: Full time

Contract: Permanent

Location: London

This is an excellent opportunity for a proven leader to work closely as a strategic advisor to the Council and Executive team at the GDC. The successful candidate will lead a high-performing corporate governance function in line with our values of respect, transparency, inclusivity and purpose to support robust, effective decision-making at the UK’s regulator for the dental team.

As Head of Governance, you will act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert in corporate governance matters and will lead a team to deliver a strong governance framework, strategic organisational initiatives, and high-quality secretariat support to ensure timely decision making.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading on the delivery of secretariat support, including acting as the Secretary to the Council.
• Building strong relationships with key stakeholders and leading and motivating your team to deliver a high-quality service.
• Providing strategic advice and assurance to the Executive Leadership Team in relation to all governance matters.
• Drafting high quality briefing documents, including for formal meetings, and proactively identifying, and suggesting solutions for organisational issues.
• Developing a strategic forward work plan for the Council, its Committees and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Leading the delivery of key programmes of work in respect of Board development and reviews into the effectiveness of the Council and its Committees.
• Leading the appointments, reappointments and induction process for the Council and its Committees.
• Overseeing the delivery of our corporate governance policy framework, such as managing conflicts of interest, corporate complaints and priority correspondence.
• Overseeing the delivery of effective Executive support for the Chair, Chief Executive and Executive Director, Legal & Governance.

About you:

The successful candidate will have experience of:

• Working as a senior leader and/or as Secretary to a Board, Committee or Executive.
• Thinking strategically and keeping abreast of policy, political and legislative developments to inform and prioritise the organisation’s work.
• Understanding and applying corporate governance and legal processes, working within statutory frameworks.
• Demonstrating positive behaviours and values whilst leading and overseeing the delivery of continuous change and improvement.
• Communicating, influencing and developing and maintaining trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.

Benefits:

The GDC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, that provides an environment that reflects our values and culture and allows employees to flourish.

To support this, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, including flexible working arrangements from day one and employee networks that aid growth and development.

Some of our benefits include:

• 27 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) - rising to 30 days (plus 8 bank holidays) after 2 years’ service
• Flexi-time scheme
• Employer pension contributions up to 10%
• Buy/Sell annual leave
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave from 1 years’ service.
• Life assurance, income protection plan and enhanced sick leave policy
• Staff discounts including eye care contributions and discounted gym membership

We encourage and support the recruitment, retention, and career development of people from as wide a range as possible of ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds.

How to apply:

For further details about the role and to apply please click the apply button.

As part of your supporting statement, please expand on how you meet the criteria within the job description which is attached.

Closing date: 23:59 on Wednesday 09 July 2025.

Please note that we reserve the right to bring this recruitment campaign to an end without notice, and we encourage all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Please no agencies unless instructed otherwise.