Canterbury Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
We are looking to recruit a dynamic and visionary individual to join Canterbury Cathedral as a Governance Officer. Providing strategic leadership of governance across the organisation, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, promoting best practice, and supporting the effective operation of the Board (Chapter) and it's committees.
As a Governance Officer, you will ensure that the organisation operates within the legal, regulatory, and best practice frameworks applicable to the charitable, religious organisations.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide authoritative guidance and advice to Chapter, Committees, SLT and staff members on governance best practice and interpretation of governing documents.
- Act as Clerk to Chapter and our Senior Leadership Team, ensuring agendas are focused, meetings are compliant, and decision-making supports strategic objectives, taking responsibility for communicating these throughout the organisation.
- Lead the development and delivery of the organisations governance strategy, ensuring structures, policies and processes are effective, proportionate, and aligned to the strategic plan and community values.
- Review, develop and maintain governance policies and procedures (e.g. conflict of interest, whistleblowing, risk, delegation of authority), ensuring they are up to date and prepared for audits as required.
- Produce the Cathedrals Annual Governance Statement for approval by Chapter.
- Support recruitment, induction, and training of Chapter and Committee members, fostering an informed and engaged governance community. Oversee systems for board and committee effectiveness reviews including commissioning of external reviews where required.
- Maintain statutory and regulatory compliance: ensure filings with the Charity Commission, Companies House (if relevant), and other regulatory bodies are completed accurately and on time.
- Monitor developments in charity law, regulation, and governance best practices; ensure the organisations governance practices are aligned.
- Check reports for completeness and quality assurance in terms of content and format, and dispatch agenda in accordance with agreed deadlines.
What We're Looking For
- Good understanding of charity governance, legal and regulatory requirements (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House, relevant legislation).
- Experience in policy drafting and implementation.
- Knowledge of risk management practices.
- Some legal or compliance training or professional qualification.
- Understanding of the requirements of the Charity Commission.
- Ability to collate accurate and relevant performance data.
- Articulate with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Resilient and flexible.
- Ability to influence others to achieve required outcomes.
Please see the full job description and person specification for further details.
Interviews will be taking place on the 16th December 2025 in person at Canterbury Cathedral.
For your application to be considered, you will need to complete the attached application form.
Non Charity Employer 
101 - 500
Thank you!
Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Safer Places to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.
Safer Places is a specialist support service for individuals at risk of, fleeing from, or recovering from domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking. We provide a wide range of trauma-informed services to adults, children, and young people across Hertfordshire and Essex, with safe accommodation available to those in need from across the UK.
As Chief Executive, you will:
- Lead Safer Places into its next chapter. This includes enhancing the charity’s service delivery, forging new partnerships, and expanding its role as a Registered Social Landlord to better meet the evolving needs of our communities.
- Embed Safer Places’s vision across the organisation – ensuring it is understood, embraced, and translated into action at every level.
- Have an entrepreneurial mindset to leverage opportunities for the charity to grow.
- Continue to ensure that Safer Places is recognised for the quality of its services, its commitment to inclusivity, and its highly trained, compassionate staff.
If you are inspired and excited by what Safer Places does, we’d love to hear from you.
Job title: Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £85,000 - £90,000 p.a.
Location: Hertfordshire/Essex – most working hours will be spent collaborating with colleagues and partners at our offices and service sites, with flexibility for some remote work.
Employment term: Permanent / full time.
How to apply:
Please review the recruitment pack for further information about Safer Places, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 5th December 2025
Safer Places is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. However, this CEO post is restricted to women applicants due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.
