Head of Governance and Compliance

National Oceanography Centre; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Pension scheme 10% employer

Death in Service (3x salary)

Relocation assistance

Salary sacrifice for EV/Hybrid

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle2Work

Living Wage Employer

Job summary

The National Oceanography Centre seeks a senior governance and compliance leader to shape and strengthen governance, risk and compliance across the organisation. You will lead a specialist team, advise senior stakeholders and ensure robust assurance frameworks align with strategic objectives.

You will work closely with the Board and executives to protect public trust, deliver transparency, and maintain integrity. The role offers a hybrid working pattern and visa sponsorship where applicable.

Qualifications

• Experienced governance and compliance professional with strong understanding of corporate governance, risk management, internal control and assurance.
• Proven leadership experience; capable of advising senior stakeholders and presenting complex information with discretion.
• Experience acting as Company Secretary or in a similar governance role.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and strengthening of governance, risk and compliance frameworks across the organisation.
• Advise the Board and senior leaders to protect reputation and ensure integrity and accountability.

Skills

Governance

Risk management

Internal controls

Executive advisory

Company Secretary

Job description

National Oceanography Centre, Southampton or Liverpool

Permanent

Full Time (37 hours per week)

Who are we?

We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish.

We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long‑term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.

The ocean has the potential to provide the solutions to so many of the social, economic and environmental challenges we face worldwide. To truly harness the value of the ocean, we put ocean research, science and discovery at the heart of our culture.

Join us in shaping the future of oceanographic research and contribute your unique perspective to our organisation.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in shaping and strengthening governance, risk and compliance at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC). You’ll help protect NOC’s reputation, maintain public trust and ensure the organisation operates with integrity, transparency and accountability. Working closely with the Board, Executive and senior leaders, you’ll lead a specialist team and help ensure NOC has the robust governance and assurance frameworks needed to deliver its strategic objectives.

About you

You’ll be an experienced governance and compliance professional with a strong understanding of corporate governance, risk management, internal control and assurance. With proven leadership experience and excellent strategic judgement, you’ll be confident advising senior stakeholders, presenting complex information clearly and managing sensitive matters with discretion and integrity. You’ll bring the credibility and relationship‑building skills needed to influence at all levels, alongside experience acting as a Company Secretary.

Why NOC?

We offer a generous set of benefits, including:

• - 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
• - a 10% employer contribution pension scheme (with a 15% NI saving on employee contributions made above 5%, if in the salary sacrifice scheme)
• - Death in Service (3 times annual salary) provided by Aviva from day one of employment, plus access to a range of other Aviva wellbeing services
• - financial support for relocation
• - a salary sacrifice scheme for electric / hybrid vehicles (qualifying period applies)
• - access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and confidential support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues
• - access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
• - a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories
• - a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations
• - we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer

Location

This position can be based in Southampton or Liverpool. Our Southampton site is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car‑parking with over 40 EV charging points. The Liverpool centre is part of the University campus and is only a short walk from the city centre and Lime Street station.

We have a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week.

Immigration and visas

We are able to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.

Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability.