Turn2us is a national charity tackling poverty and the structural causes of financial insecurity. We work with people who have current or recent experience of financial hardship and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and the value people from different backgrounds bring to a team. If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating poverty, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

Our vision is that everyone in the UK has financial security so they can thrive.

Our purpose is to offer support to those of us facing financial shocks and together challenge the systems and perceptions that cause financial insecurity.

If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to contribute to our purpose, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of a team dedicated to creating positive change.

As our Group Head of Governance, you'll step into a dynamic role within our CEO Office, shaping the future of our organisation. You'll be instrumental in steering Turn2us and Elizabeth Finn Homes towards excellence in governance. Your expertise will ensure that we not only meet but exceed legal and regulatory standards, setting a gold standard in corporate governance. From board secretariat excellence to robust risk management, you'll lead the charge, guiding our organisation to new heights of efficiency and accountability.

With your exceptional communication skills and strategic mindset, you'll elevate our governance practices. Your commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging will infuse every aspect of your work, fostering a culture of inclusion and dignity.

From managing board secretariat matters to driving continuous improvement in governance practices. You'll lead by example, inspiring our team to embrace operational excellence and embody our values. Together, we'll ensure that safeguarding is not just a policy but a guiding principle in everything we do.

If you're passionate about social justice and ready to take your career to new heights, we want to hear from you. Join us at Turn2us, where every day brings new opportunities to create a brighter, more equitable future. Apply now and be part of a movement that's changing lives, one step at a time.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. Please note that all employees are contractually required to work from the office a minimum of four days a month. Some roles, including the Group Head of Governance are required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting.

Please note that all job offers are subject to two to three satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Job Description

Job Title: Group Head of Governance 

Department: CEO Office    

Reports to: Chief Executive, Turn2us

Location: Hybrid: Turn2us London Hub (currently Hammersmith*) & homeworking

Type of role: Full-time, permanent.

* In autumn 2024 Turn2us London Hub expects to move to Farringdon, London, closer to a main transport hub

Purpose of the role:

To provide proactive, effective, and high-quality advice, guidance, and secretariat support, as well as develop governance for the Boards of Turn2us and Elizabeth Finn Homes, ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory standards. This role involves supervising risk management, overseeing the charity’s approach to contracts, and leading a small team dedicated to enhancing business support throughout the charity.

Our vision is that everyone in the UK has financial security so they can thrive.

Our purpose is to offer support to those of us facing financial shocks and together challenge the systems and perceptions that cause financial insecurity.

Through our comprehensive collaboration and support, we strive to make a positive impact and foster a more equitable society. Join our team and be a part of meaningful change.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: 

1. Board secretariat excellence.

2. Robust governance, compliance, and risk management.

3. Board development and governance enhancement.

4. Operational excellence and team leadership.

Duties:

1. Board secretariat excellence

• Manage all secretariat matters as the Board Secretary for Turn2us and Elizabeth Finn Homes, ensuring seamless administration for the Boards and their sub-committees.

• Oversee and plan annual governance cycle, including diarising all meetings and appropriate paper deadlines.

• Coordinate the preparation and distribution of board and committee papers, agendas, and minutes in collaboration with senior content leads, ensuring continual development of papers’ quality, consistency and clarity.

• Support executive teams and Company Secretaries in resolving action items promptly.

• Maintaining accurate, accessible governance and statutory records, including filings and other legal documents.

2. Robust governance, compliance, and risk management

• Provide leadership in establishing and maintaining robust corporate governance practices aligned with emerging and sector-leading best practices.

• Guide the organisation in navigating regulatory obligations by supporting the Trustees, Directors and CEOs of both organisations and senior designated staff, including registering Trustees and Directors with regulators and relevant bodies.

• Stay abreast of legislative changes, ensuring policies and procedures remain compliant, including through regular audits and assessments.

• Oversee risk identification, assessment, and mitigation strategies, ensuring both organisations’ resilience against financial, operational, and reputational risks; support the reporting on key risk indicators to both boards.

• Ensure best practice in and compliance with safeguarding and GDPR regulations in relation to governance work and ensure the Boards remain up to date with legislation.

• Lead the three-yearly governance review.

 3. Board development and governance

• Collaborate with the Chairs, CEOs, and committee chairs to enhance the governance framework, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency.

• Lead on skills audits, support trustee and NED recruitment and facilitate comprehensive, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and values.

• Manage the process for declaring and managing conflicts of interest among board members.

• Drive initiatives for continuous improvement in governance practices and associated development for trustees and directors.

• Monitor compliance with internal policies and procedures, identifying areas for improvement.

• Support equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) within each Board and their duty in promoting the progress of EDIB in each organisation.

4. Operational excellence and team management in the charity

• Support the development of the charity’s business support and administrative functions, ensuring integration and alignment with organisational objectives.

• Represent the CEO Office at organisational management team meetings, contributing to strategic planning and alignment of operational activities.

• Lead and mentor the CEO Office team, fostering a collaborative and learning-oriented environment.

  These are the normal duties, which the Charity requires from the position. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible and all employees will be required from time to time to perform other duties as may be required by the Turn2us for the efficient running of the charity. This job description is non-contractual. It will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change.

  At Turn2us safeguarding is paramount. We are committed to protecting personnel, children, adults, and service users from any harm arising from each other, themselves, our activities, or organisational. The post holder will be required to follow the safeguarding policy and will be responsible for integrating safeguarding into all aspects of their work.

  The post holder will be expected to ensure that their work complies with contractual terms and conditions, the Charity’s policies and procedures and key legislation, such as data protection and charity law.

Person Specification

Skills:             

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft accurate, clear, and concise board papers and minutes.

• Strong organisational skills, capable of managing multiple tasks without compromising quality.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain high standards under pressure.

  Knowledge:   

• Profound understanding of charity and corporate governance, legal frameworks, and regulatory requirements.

 Experience: 

• Extensive experience in a company secretarial or governance role, and familiarity with not-for-profit sector governance.

• Track record in implementing and maintaining emerging governance practices.

Personal Attributes:   

• Discretion and tact in handling sensitive information.

• Proven ability to cultivate positive relationships with stakeholders of all levels.

• Deadline-orientated with meticulous attention to detail.

• Self-motivated, resilient, and committed to social justice and financial security for all.

• Dedication to promoting equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in all facets of work.

  Turn2us is deeply committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply, as we believe that diversity strengthens our team and deepens the impact of our work. If you're passionate about making a difference and are ready to contribute to our purpose, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of a team dedicated to creating positive change.

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