Head of Governance & Corporate Support

Thirteen Group; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Car salary sacrifice scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Shopping and leisure discounts

28 days' annual leave + birthday leave

Job summary

Thirteen Group in Middlesbrough is seeking an experienced Head of Governance & Corporate Support to shape governance strategy and strengthen board effectiveness.

You will lead a senior governance function, act as Deputy Company Secretary and work closely with the Board Chair, CEO and executive team to ensure robust, transparent and proportionate governance across the organisation. Hybrid working available.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading governance services in a large, regulated organisation.
• Proven track record advising Boards and senior executives on governance matters.
• Experience leading Board effectiveness reviews and governance improvement programmes.
• Understanding of corporate governance frameworks, delegated authorities and statutory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance strategy aligned with organisational priorities and regulatory expectations.
• Oversee the governance framework, constitutional arrangements and scheme of delegation.
• Provide authoritative advice to the Board, Chair, CEO and senior leadership team.
• Drive improvements in Board/Committee papers and governance effectiveness reviews.
• Develop the governance team and promote continuous improvement across the function.
• Collaborate with Assurance, Risk, Finance and Legal to ensure coordinated governance.

Skills

Governance leadership

Board advisory

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Governance/Company Secretarial qualification

Job description

Thirteen Group | Middlesbrough, North East England (Hybrid)

Salary: £80,223 per annum plus generous pension and benefits

Expected interviews: Thursday 19 November 2026

Recruitment Partner: Castle Peak Group

The Opportunity

Castle Peak Group is proud to be partnering with Thirteen Group to appoint an experienced and influential Head of Governance & Corporate Support.

This is a significant senior leadership opportunity within one of the region's established housing associations, offering the chance to shape governance strategy, strengthen Board effectiveness and provide trusted advice at the highest levels of the organisation.

Thirteen is an ambitious, forward thinking housing association providing homes, services and support to approximately 100,000 people across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber.

Its vision is to become the most trusted housing association, with happy customers. Underpinning this ambition is a long term business strategy focused on delivering fantastic homes, excellent services and an organisation where brilliant people can thrive.

Strong, effective and proportionate governance will be central to achieving these ambitions.

Thirteen is now seeking an accomplished governance professional who can bring strategic insight, sound judgement and inspirational leadership to this important appointment.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Governance and Corporate Affairs Director, the Head of Governance & Corporate Support will be Thirteen's most senior governance specialist.

You will lead a dedicated governance function, providing strategic leadership across corporate governance, Board and Committee effectiveness, regulatory compliance and corporate decision making.

Acting as Deputy Company Secretary, you will work closely with the Board Chair, Committee Chairs, Chief Executive and senior leadership team, ensuring governance arrangements are robust, transparent, proportionate and aligned with Thirteen's strategic objectives.

This is more than a traditional governance management role.

You will have the opportunity to influence how governance operates across the organisation, creating frameworks and processes that support innovation, organisational growth, regulatory confidence and effective decision making.

You will also play a central role in developing the governance team, promoting continuous improvement and ensuring that governance is recognised as an enabler of organisational success.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Governance Leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of Thirteen's governance strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and regulatory expectations.
• Maintain and continually improve the corporate governance framework, constitutional arrangements and scheme of delegation.
• Act as Deputy Company Secretary, providing authoritative advice to the Board, Chief Executive and senior leadership team.
• Support the organisation in maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, accountability and transparency.
• Ensure governance arrangements remain appropriate for a complex, evolving and regulated housing organisation.

Board and Committee Effectiveness

• Lead the planning and coordination of effective Board and Committee governance cycles, ensuring appropriate forward planning, agendas and reporting.
• Provide expert advice on Board and Committee composition, succession planning, appointments, remuneration, development and probity.
• Drive improvements in the quality, consistency and effectiveness of Board and Committee papers.
• Lead governance effectiveness reviews, self assessments and associated improvement programmes.
• Build trusted and constructive relationships with Board members, Committee Chairs and senior executives.

Regulatory Compliance, Risk and Assurance

• Ensure governance arrangements comply with relevant statutory, regulatory and sector specific requirements.
• Oversee the maintenance of statutory registers, governance records and regulatory submissions.
• Provide clear, evidence based assurance on governance effectiveness, regulatory compliance and improvement activity.
• Identify and escalation material governance risks, ensuring appropriate mitigation and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Assurance, Risk, Finance, Legal and other corporate functions to support a coordinated approach to organisational governance.

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Provide effective leadership, direction and professional development to the governance team.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Review and modernise governance processes, reducing unnecessary complexity and improving efficiency.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation, influencing stakeholders and encouraging ownership of good governance.
• Ensure the governance function remains responsive, commercially aware and focused on supporting organisational priorities.

About You

We are seeking an experienced senior governance professional who combines technical expertise with the confidence, credibility and interpersonal skills required to operate effectively at Board and executive level.

You will understand the importance of sound governance within a regulated organisation, but equally recognise that effective governance should support strategic ambition rather than create unnecessary bureaucracy.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Significant experience of leading governance services within a large, complex and regulated organisation.
• A strong track record of advising Boards, Chairs, Committee Chairs, Chief Executives and senior leadership teams on complex governance matters.
• Experience of leading Board effectiveness reviews, governance improvement programmes and succession planning.
• A comprehensive understanding of corporate governance frameworks, delegated authorities, statutory requirements and constitutional arrangements.
• Knowledge of the regulatory environment for registered housing providers, including the relationship between governance, risk, assurance and consumer regulation.
• Experience of leading, developing and motivating a professional governance team.
• Excellent communication, relationship management and influencing skills.
• The ability to exercise sound judgement, manage sensitive information and provide constructive challenge at senior levels.
• A commitment to maintaining high professional standards and developing contemporary governance practice.

A relevant professional qualification in governance, company secretariat or compliance would be advantageous, although equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

We are particularly interested in individuals who have operated within the social housing sector or similarly complex, highly regulated environments and can demonstrate a strong understanding of effective Board governance.

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a salary of £80,223 per annum, together with a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 28 days' annual leave plus birthday leave.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Car salary sacrifice scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Shopping and leisure discounts.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Thirteen is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where colleagues are valued, respected and supported to succeed.

The organisation welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and is particularly committed to encouraging applications from people from underrepresented and marginalised groups.

Thirteen received a Silver Talent, Inclusion and Diversity Evaluation (TIDE) Award in 2026, recognising its commitment to embedding an inclusive working culture.

Castle Peak Group shares this commitment and will work with candidates to ensure a fair, accessible and inclusive recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments can be discussed and accommodated throughout the selection process.

Castle Peak Group has been appointed as the executive search partner for this important appointment.