Governance jobs in United Kingdom

Application Deadline: 5 December 2025

Department: Governance & Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Head of Governance

Compensation: £49,764 - £52,805 / year

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: Grade 11 £49,764 - £52,805 (Pay award pending)
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

Shape the future of governance and resilience in South Yorkshire. Are you passionate about driving excellence in governance, risk management, and assurance? Do you thrive in complex, dynamic environments where your expertise can make a real difference? If so, this is your opportunity to lead a critical function at the heart of organisational accountability and strategic decision-making.

Application Guidance

Applications must be accompanied by a CV, and cover letter which should be tailored to show how you meet the criteria for the role based off of the role profile attached. The hiring team are especially interested to see how you meet the following criteria within your cover letter:

1. Extensive experience in governance, risk and assurance within a politically complex and accountable organisation, ideally within local government or a similar public sector body.
2. Comprehensive knowledge of statutory and regulatory frameworks relevant to governance, risk, and assurance including CIPFA/SOLACE principles.
3. Exceptional attention to detail, analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret and synthesise complex technical, legal, and organisational information, identify trends and risks, and develop evidence-based recommendations.
4. Experienced in translating complex findings and KPIs into clear, outcome-focused advice and actionable insights for senior, technical, and non-technical audiences.
5. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, deliver high-quality, pragmatic outcomes under pressure, and adapt to changing organisational and legislative requirements.

Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.

Interviews are expected to take place on the 11th and/or 12th December.

Please note South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised.

What you'll do

• Lead and innovate: Drive the development of governance, risk, and assurance frameworks that enable informed decisions and robust accountability.
• Embed best practice: Integrate risk management into business planning and performance processes, fostering a culture of ownership and transparency.
• Deliver impact: Oversee internal audit programmes, governance reviews, and statutory reporting, ensuring high-quality outcomes that protect reputation and build trust.
• Advise and influence: Provide expert guidance to senior leaders and governance bodies, translating complex insights into clear, actionable advice.
• Develop talent: Lead and inspire a team of Governance Officers, supporting their growth and ensuring effective delivery of core governance functions.

• A proven or budding leader with extensive experience in governance, risk, and assurance within a politically complex or public sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of statutory and regulatory frameworks, including CIPFA/SOLACE principles.
• Holds or working towards recognised professional qualification, advanced training or membership in a relevant field (e.g. CIPFA Diploma in Corporate Governance, IRM, MoR).
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to change, and deliver pragmatic solutions under pressure.
• Commitment to integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Please see the attached role profile for the full essential and desirable criteria for this role.

All colleagues have access to Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

In addition to the above, some of benefits include:
Enhanced Leave Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and can take time-off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
Rewarding You – Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes.
Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications.
Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.
Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority showcases our commitment to equality. Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact recruitment@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.