Group Governance Manager (12-Month Fixed Term, Maternity Cover)
* Location: Lancashire | Salary: £43,000 (Negotiable for right level of experience)
* Industry: Charity / Housing / Care
* Hybrid: Minimum 2 days in office
* 12 month fixed term contract
* Office attendance: Minimum 2 days/week X 3 days from home
* Recruitment process: Interview weeks commencing 9th or 16th February 2026, with offers to secure an April start or potentially sooner
Are you a governance professional ready to make a real difference?
The Housing Group is a purpose-driven non-profit organisation based in Lancashire that are looking for a Governance Manager for a 12 month Maternity Cover.
They manage over 5,000 homes, deliver community support, run employability and skills programmes, and lead local regeneration projects.
The values-led culture focuses on collaboration, inclusion, and community impact, making it more than just a housing association, it’s a place where governance can make a real difference.
The organisation is a forward-thinking, social impact organisation where your governance expertise will directly influence community outcomes, organisational integrity, and high performance.
Apply now to join a team committed to doing governance differently with purpose, clarity, and impact.
About the Role
Reporting to the Group Director of Governance, the Group Governance Manager leads governance across all of the organisations companies.
This role ensures that governance is robust, responsive, and aligned with strategic objectives, supporting confident decision-making and creating conditions for high performance and trust.
This is a 12-month maternity cover role: 1st April 2026 – 31st March 2027, supporting a well-established Governance team of 12 and working closely with two direct reports.
Key Responsibilities
* Oversee and maintain the Group Governance Framework, ensuring policies, constitutional documents, and statutory returns are up-to-date and compliant.
* Lead governance structures across the Group, including boards, committees, and internal meetings, supporting effective decision-making.
* Ensure governance culture is clear, purposeful, and understood by all employees.
* Coordinate external governance reviews and monitor implementation of recommendations.
* Support strategic planning, corporate plans, and forward-looking governance innovation.
* Line-manage 2 direct reports fostering high team performance.
Additional duties: Supporting Executive PA tasks, statutory return oversight, policy and procedure checks, and occasional minute-taking if required in any absences.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a candidate with a mix of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills:
Knowledge & Experience:
* Governance frameworks, standing orders, financial regulations, and terms of reference.
* Information governance legislation and ethical data handling.
* Experience in compliance registers, statutory returns, and governance reviews.
Skills & Attributes:
* Organised, analytical, and detail-oriented.
* Excellent communicator and can influence across all levels.
* Strong leadership and team management skills.
* Digital literacy with document management and tracking systems.
Values & Behaviours:
* Integrity, discretion, and ethical decision-making.
* Collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.
* Confidence in leading governance within a complex organisational structure.
Why Join the organisation?
* Make a real difference in the community through robust governance.
* Lead a dynamic, purpose-driven team across multiple subsidiaries.
* Work in a values-led organisation committed to social impact and inclusion.
* Flexible sector experience welcomed candidates from regulated environments (NHS, Social Housing, charities, etc.) encouraged to apply