Head of governance jobs in London
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Salary: £55,000 per annum (FTE), pro rata
Hours: 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE)
Location: London Coliseum
We’re looking for a mission-driven Head of Governance to help shape and strengthen governance at English National Opera and the London Coliseum.
This is a high-impact senior role at the heart of the organisation, combining hands-on delivery with trusted advice. You’ll work closely with the Board and executive team to ensure decision-making is clear, accountable and aligned with Charity Commission guidance and best practice.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you’ll lead on coordinating governance activity, enhancing Board and committee effectiveness, and driving continuous improvement. You’ll oversee the annual governance cycle, support trustee development, and champion inclusive, well-informed decision-making that enables our leadership to thrive.
Requirements:
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Significant experience in charity governance, company secretariat or a comparable senior governance role
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Strong understanding of charity law, trustee responsibilities and good governance practice
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Experience supporting Boards and committees, including planning, papers and effectiveness reviews
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Demonstrable experience improving governance frameworks, processes or systems
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Confidence advising senior stakeholders with discretion, diplomacy and authority
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Experience working collaboratively across executive teams to embed effective governance practices
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Clear, credible communicator, both written and verbal
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Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
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Practical and solutions‑focused, with a bias for action
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Calm, measured and trusted, with strong professional judgement
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Committed to ENO’s mission, values and public purpose, including equity, diversity and inclusion
Please see our recruitment pack for full details of the role.
Application deadline: 5pm, Wednesday 15 July 2026
Interviews: w/c 27 July 2026
Interviews: w/c 3 August 2026 & w/c 10 August 2026
Feedback: Due to the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to provide individual feedback to those candidates who progress to interview stage.
Reasonable adjustments: If you require any reasonable adjustments for the application or interview process, please contact us.
English National Opera is an Equal Opportunities employer, and we strive to create an inclusive working environment that reflects the diverse communities we serve. As we work to address underrepresentation in our workforce, we particularly encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups and communities to apply, including those from global majority backgrounds and/or with protected characteristics, including race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and religion and belief. We will provide appropriate support for candidates with access requirements if they identify as disabled. This includes during the application process and through candidate assessment stages.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of one of the largest Church of England dioceses, working closely with an experienced and committed Diocesan Secretary as a trusted advisor to a small senior team. This is a varied, high‑impact role with significant scope for professional growth.
The role blends strategy, operations and governance and is ideal for someone who thrives on complexity and likes getting things done. You will be a trusted adviser and sounding board, offering challenge, perspective, and solutions. You will be expert at developing and maintaining excellent relationships with a wide range of people including trustees, staff and senior clergy.
The Diocese of Southwark is committed to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation and to increasing our diversity at all levels. We especially welcome applications from those with Global Majority Heritage, those with disabilities and other protected characteristics.
Job Purpose
To ensure the smooth functioning of the central diocesan office in particular by leading on governance in the Diocesan Board of Finance, co-ordinating activities and managing the day-to-day responsibilities of the Diocesan Secretary’s role as Company Secretary.
This will involve a range of responsibilities including:
- Leading on all elements of governance and charity law compliance
- Leading the Health and Safety and facilities management in the Diocesan Offices, including the line management of staff.
- Co-ordinating, preparing planning and follow up for a range of meetings associated with the governance of the diocese. This includes drafting agendas, preparing papers, taking minutes of meetings and following up the actions
- Supporting the Diocesan Secretary in all other aspects of synodical and committee management, including overseeing elections and the electoral process for Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synods
- Acting as a point of contact and expertise for Parishes, Deanery Secretaries and Deanery Lay Chairs including:
The Person
You should have significant experience in a governance or secretariat role, preferably in a charity and ideally in the Church of England. Proven ability to work closely with senior leaders, ideally at CEO or Board level is essential, as is the experience of leading a small team to deliver well under pressure. You should have a strong understanding of the charity sector and ideally of Church of England governance
As a key contact for people in the Diocese, you should have outstanding communication skills: written, verbal, and interpersonal, combined with strong organisational and project management skills. You will need to be comfortable switching between high level strategy and hands on delivery, with the ability to influence without authority and navigate sensitive issues with discretion. The role is challenging and involves some evening and weekend working for which time off in lieu is given.
Registered Charity
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Welcome to the Diocese of Southwark, where we seek to be Christ Centered Outward Focused in all we do.
