Head of Governance & Assurance

irwell valley homes; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing association in Greater Manchester is seeking a dynamic Governance, Risk, and Assurance Lead. This permanent, full-time role involves leading the governance framework and regulatory compliance while advising senior leadership. Candidates should have a strong strategic background, ideally in social housing. This is a unique opportunity to shape governance strategies and ensure robust operations.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a strategic governance role.
• Deep understanding of governance frameworks.
• Experience in social housing is preferable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the governance, risk, and assurance strategy.
• Advise the Board and senior leadership.
• Oversee regulatory compliance and audits.
• Manage risk, data protection, and procurement functions.

Skills

Leadership

Governance Expertise

Regulatory Compliance

Risk Management

Data Protection Knowledge

Job description

The vacancy

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Agile Working.

Closing Date: 5th October 2025

Interview Date: 17th October 2025

Are you a strategic leader, a governance visionary, and a compliance champion? We are looking for a dynamic and high-impact individual to lead our governance, risk and assurance function. You will be a key advisor to our Board and Executive Team, responsible for driving our strategy, fostering a culture of trust and resilience, and ensuring we are always ready for what's next.

This is your chance to architect our governance framework, lead on all regulatory matters, and serve as our named Data Protection Officer. You will be an expert in your field, passionate about embedding best practice and ensuring our operations are robust, transparent, and resilient.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of our governance, risk, and assurance strategy.
• Act as the primary advisor to the Board and senior leadership.
• Oversee our regulatory compliance and lead all audit and inspection activities.
• Manage the strategic direction of risk, data protection, and procurement functions.

Are You the One? You are a seasoned leader with a proven track record in a similar strategic role, ideally within the social housing sector. You have a deep understanding of governance frameworks and a passion for influencing at the highest level.

The company

Irwell Valley Homes is a housing association providing affordable homes and services to over 16,000 people across Greater Manchester and employing over 280 colleagues.

We are a charitable, registered provider of social housing and offer homes mainly for social rent, with a small number for affordable rent, market rent and shared ownership. We also provide homes with support for people with dementia, mental health issues, learning and physical disabilities, those who have been made homeless and people affected by domestic abuse.

As well as providing homes, we deliver services and support to customers and work in partnership with specialist organisations to help them sustain their tenancies and get on in life. And we engage with customers to shape services and review our effectiveness.

Sam Young, Executive Director (Corporate Services)

"This is a fantastic opportunity to join our Leadership team in a role that will help lead and shape everything we do. This is a new senior role in our team so it is the perfect time to make something your own. As well as a rewarding career, looking after governance, risk, assurance and procurement this is a pivotal role where you can make a real impact in helping us to improve the services we provide to our customers."

Accreditations

• Good Employment Charter
• Disability Confident
• Armed Forces Covenant
• Living Wage Employer
• Houseproud