Head of Group Governance - Operations & Effectiveness

Standard Life plc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 30–60%

Private medical cover

38 days annual leave

Excellent pension

12x salary life assurance

Career breaks

Income protection

Volunteering days

Job summary

Standard Life plc is seeking a Head of Group Governance – Operations & Effectiveness to lead the governance delivery, assurance and continuous improvement across the Group Governance function.

You will develop the three-year plan, drive governance technology adoption (board portals, entity management) and ensure robust controls and information flows at the board level.

Qualifications

• Significant governance or company secretarial experience in a large, regulated organisation.
• Deep understanding of governance frameworks and operating models.
• Strong analytical and reporting capability to use governance data for risk and performance insights.
• Proven leadership and the ability to deliver outcomes through teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery, assurance and continuous improvement of the Group Governance function.
• Develop a three-year rolling operational plan for the Governance team.
• Design and adopt governance technology and support improvements for boards and committees.
• Shape and deliver the operating model and align resources across the Group.

Skills

Governance experience

Company secretarial

Governance frameworks

Board governance tools

SMCR knowledge

Stakeholder management

Programme leadership

Regulatory compliance

Tools

Board portals

Entity management systems

Job description

Job Description

Here at Standard Life, we guide millions of people through some of life’s biggest decisions. We’re searching for a Head of Group Governance – Operations and Effectiveness who shares our commitment to putting customers first, aiming high and working together to join the Group Governance function.

Job Description

Here at Standard Life, we guide millions of people through some of life’s biggest decisions. We’re searching for a Head of Group Governance – Operations and Effectiveness who shares our commitment to putting customers first, aiming high and working together to join the Group Governance function.

Job Type

Permanent

Location

London or Edinburgh 3 days a week with hybrid working

Flexible working

All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process. You can read more about flexible working here.

Closing Date

Wednesday 4th November 2026

Salary and benefits

£110,000 - £140,000 plus an indicative bonus range of 30% -60%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.

Who are we?

We’re Standard Life, a life insurer and retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.

Life today is increasingly complicated, uncertain and unpredictable. People move through different careers, face unexpected moments and navigate important choices. We offer our colleagues flexibility, trust and benefits that work for whatever life brings. In return we expect curiosity, connection, accountability and high standards. We make room for what matters - so you can bring your best, every day.

The role

The Head of Group Governance – Operations & Effectiveness will lead the operational delivery, assurance and continuous improvement of the Group Governance function, ensuring it has the frameworks, systems, controls and capability needed to operate effectively. In particular, the role will develop a three year rolling operational plan for the Governance team, lead on the design and adoption of relevant governance technology and support continuous governance improvements for the boards and their committees and wider management decision making.

As a member of the Governance Leadership Team, working alongside the Group Company Secretary and two Deputy Governance Officers, the role will shape and deliver the function’s operating model, drive governance effectiveness and transformation, and ensure resources and priorities are aligned across the Group.

What are we looking for?

• Significant governance or company secretarial experience within a large, complex and regulated organisation, ideally including subsidiary governance, legal entity management or related control functions.
• Deep understanding of corporate governance frameworks, governance effectiveness and best practice, with experience of designing and implementing operating models, transformation programmes and process improvements.
• Strong analytical and reporting capability, with the ability to use governance data and management information to identify risk, improve performance and inform decision-making.
• A strong track record of leading teams, building capability and delivering outcomes through others.
• Credibility and influence at senior executive level, with the ability to build effective relationships across a complex stakeholder environment.
• Experience of governance technology, including board portals and entity management systems, and an understanding of how technology can improve governance delivery.
• Strong knowledge of the governance and regulatory requirements relevant to a FTSE 100 financial services organisation.
• Understanding of SMCR requirements as they apply to Boards and Non-Executive Directors, including onboarding, governance records, role changes and regulatory documentation within a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong programme, project and change leadership capability, with experience of delivering sustainable organisational improvement.
• Desirable: Experience of working within Financial Services, ideally within a FTSE-listed or similarly regulated environment.

We Want To Hire The Whole Version Of You.

We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you.

Find Out More About Working At Standard Life

• Guide for Candidates: standardlifeplc.pagetiger.com/guideforcandidates
• Find or get answers from our colleagues: www.standardlifeplc.com/careers/talk-to-us