Head of Governance

Department for Culture, Media & Sport; Manchester; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government department is seeking a Head of Governance to oversee the operational governance framework of the Independent Football Regulator. The role requires outstanding leadership skills, experience engaging with senior stakeholders, and a commitment to delivering strategic outcomes in a complex environment. With a competitive salary and substantial benefits, this position offers the opportunity to shape governance in the football sector following important legislative changes.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

26.5 days annual leave

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Access to employee benefits system

Paid volunteering leave

Generous maternity/paternity leave

Staff reward and recognition bonuses

Occupational sick pay

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Exceptional learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Outstanding leadership skills with the ability to build a strong team culture.
• Experience of working with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare concise reports and adapt style for different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and oversee the IFR's operational governance framework.
• Providing leadership to the Governance team and supporting robust decision making.
• Leading the transition of governance functions as the organisation evolves.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Analysis

Job description

Head of Governance
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 23rd June 2025
Location: Manchester
Salary: £52,082 - £61,084 + benefits (including a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%)
Contract type: Permanent

We lead the Government's work on the future governance of football. At present, the Shadow Football Regulator comprises over thirty members of staff, led by an interim Chief Operating Officer, undertaking a range of activities in preparation for passage of the Football Governance Bill, which is currently in Parliament.

The Shadow Football Regulator is a dedicated team within DCMS which is responsible for setting up the Independent Football Regulator. It is ensuring the Regulator has the right skills, governance and corporate functions so it can start work as soon as possible after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

This post, and its recruitment, is dependent on progress of the Bill, and the intention is for this role to transfer to the Regulator once it's legally established.

Please note that the Independent Football Regulator will be based in Greater Manchester, but an exact location has yet to be determined.

Job Description

Responsibilities include:

• Develop, maintain, and oversee the IFRs operational governance framework ensuring compliance with corporate, regulatory, and public sector standards, as well as the governance requirements set out in Football Governance Bill.
• Providing leadership to the Governance team, helping develop the board secretariat and executive governance functions to support robust and timely decision making.
• Leading the transition of governance functions as the organisation transitions from the Shadow Football Regulator to the Independent Football Regulator.
• Overseeing the appointment, induction and establishment of the IFR s Board as well as other decision-making groups, supporting them as individuals and a group to make effective decisions.
• Working across the team and with the programme management function to sequence decision making in a way which enables teams to deliver against programme milestones.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements:

• Outstanding leadership skills with the ability to build a strong team culture and ethos, and to motivate and manage a team to deliver at pace on a challenging and complex agenda.
• Experience of working with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare concise briefings, reports, and board papers, and adapting style for different audiences.
• Ability to act as a conduit between decision makers and the wider team, developing a deep understanding of the programme and using your judgement to sequence decisions in a way which enables the programme to meet critical milestones.
• Ability to understand, analyse and deliver complex policy and delivery issues at pace; and to use your judgement to provide clear, strategic advice.
• Ability to align your work with organisational strategy, and to anticipate and mitigate future challenges.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of leading or working within a governance function.
• Familiarity with Non-Departmental Public Bodies, especially Regulators, and their relationship to Government.
• Knowledge of the football industry.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,082, Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes £15,088 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We re committed to developing talent and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years service
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
• 3 days of paid volunteering leave
• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
• Occupational sick pay
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day-to-day work
• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!

How To Apply

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