Portfolio Governance & Assurance Lead

Skipton; Skipton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading building society in the UK is seeking an experienced Governance & Assurance Lead to shape enterprise change governance and provide independent insights that inform executive decision-making. This role involves developing a governance framework, conducting health checks, and collaborating with senior leadership. The position offers a modern work environment with flexible working arrangements, an annual bonus scheme, and a commitment to employee wellbeing and development.

Benefits

Annual discretionary bonus scheme

25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays

Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10%)

Private medical insurance

3 paid volunteering days per annum

Qualifications

• Proven experience in portfolio, programme, or ART‑level governance and assurance.
• Strong working knowledge of SAFe, Agile delivery, and Lean Portfolio Management.
• Ability to produce and present clear, executive‑level reporting up to Board level.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and ongoing assurance of the change governance framework.
• Operate as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, offering independent assessment.
• Conduct regular portfolio and ART health checks with actionable recommendations.

Skills

Portfolio governance and assurance

SAFe methodology

Agile delivery

Stakeholder management

Analytical capability

Education

Agile / Lean qualifications (e.g. SAFe, Scrum)

Portfolio or governance qualifications (e.g. Prince 2, P3O)

Job description

Hours: 35 Hours per week

Closing Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2026

We're looking for an experienced Governance & Assurance Lead to help shape how enterprise change is governed, assured, and continuously improved across Skipton Group. If you thrive on creating clarity, reducing delivery risk, and providing independent insight that influences executive decision‑making, this could be your next big move.

Who Are We?

Not just another building society. Not just another job. We're the fourth biggest building society in the UK and what makes us a bit different is that we're a mutual organisation. We don't have shareholders; we're owned by our members.

Our colleagues say Skipton's a great place to work, and you could be one of them, bringing with you new ideas on how we can keep customers at the heart of what we do. Whatever your background, and whatever your goals, we'll help you take the next step towards a better future.

You’ll be joining our Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) – a dynamic team of 6 specialists, including 3 Senior Value Management Analysts, 2 Portfolio Governance & Assurance Leads, and 1 Resource Lead.

We work at the heart of Skipton's transformation agenda, enabling delivery of maximum value with minimal risk across our change portfolio. Our mission aligns with Skipton Group's strategic priorities:

• Helping more people have a home
• Making money work harder
• Making membership matter

As part of the EPMO, you'll collaborate with Agile Release Train (ART) leadership, Product Management, RTEs, Finance, Technology, and People teams, ensuring transparency and alignment across the enterprise.

Why join us?

• Play a pivotal role in shaping enterprise‑level governance and assurance across all change activity
• Provide independent insight and challenge that directly informs Executive and Board decision‑making
• Be a key influencer in how SAFe and Lean Portfolio Management are applied across the Society
• Drive continuous improvement of change frameworks, controls, and ways of working
• Contribute to a purpose‑led organisation that puts customers and members first

What's In It For You?

Skipton values work/life balance and we are proud to support hybrid and flexible working, where possible. We have a newly refurbished head office which offers a vibrant and collaborative working space.

• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days
• Holiday trading scheme allowing the ability to buy and sell additional annual leave days
• Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
• Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)
• Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric car
• A commitment to training and development
• Private medical insurance for all our colleagues
• 3 paid volunteering days per annum
• Diverse and inclusive colleague networks available for you to join including our Carers and Pride Alliance groups
• We care about your health and wellbeing – we provide a range of benefits that support this including cycle to work initiative and discounted gym membership

What Will You Be Doing?

This role is about protecting value and reducing risk across enterprise change. You’ll lead the development and ongoing assurance of Skipton's change governance framework, providing confidence that strategic change is well‑controlled, transparent, and aligned to outcomes.

You’ll operate as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, offering independent assessment, challenge, and insight across portfolios, ARTs, and value streams.

Key Deliverables

• A single, SAFe‑aligned enterprise change governance framework, embedded and continuously improved
• Regular portfolio and ART health checks, with clear findings, root cause analysis, and actionable recommendations
• High‑quality Board and Executive MI, including Board Change Committee packs and Board Information Packs
• Independent assurance on delivery health, risks, dependencies, and controls

What Do We Need From You?

You're a confident, credible governance and assurance professional who can operate at both strategic and delivery levels, a strong influencer able to provide balanced challenge.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in portfolio, programme, or ART‑level governance and assurance
• Strong working knowledge of SAFe, Agile delivery, and Lean Portfolio Management
• Experience conducting independent assurance reviews / health checks in complex change environments
• Ability to produce and present clear, executive‑level reporting up to Board level
• Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation, and influencing skills
• Strong analytical capability, including risk assessment and root cause analysis

Knowledge & Qualifications

• Solid understanding of change governance, risk management, and assurance practices
• Knowledge of end‑to‑end change lifecycle and delivery controls
• Agile / Lean qualifications (e.g. SAFe, Scrum)
• Portfolio or governance qualifications (e.g. Prince 2, P3O or equivalent)