A strategic role with a powerful purpose.
We are delighted to be recruiting on behalf of a leading social driven organisation based in the Liverpool City Region. Known for its life-changing work across housing, education, community support, and employment services, the organisation is seeking an outstanding individual to lead its approach to risk, governance, and compliance.
As Head of Risk & Governance, you will take a central role in protecting the organisation, its service users, and its delivery partners—ensuring the highest standards in governance and risk management across a range of complex services.
About the Role
You will lead the development and implementation of a robust risk management framework, while shaping and overseeing governance strategy across a diverse and growing organisation. This includes regulated services such as education and housing, as well as community programmes, finance, and HR.
Working closely with Trustees, the Executive Team, the Company Secretary and Regional Directors, you will ensure that local governing bodies and leadership teams are equipped with the advice, training, and strategic support they need to deliver effectively—and in full alignment with wider organisational goals.
You’ll also ensure that compliance standards are met across all relevant legal, statutory and regulatory frameworks, with a proactive approach to safeguarding, ethics, and service quality.
Who We’re Looking For
You will be an experienced local governance professional, confident in advising at the highest levels. Ideally, your background will include supporting services and understand what effective governance looks like within multi-service environments, and be committed to building and developing a capable, well-informed workforce around governance and risk.
Your ability to influence others—even in sensitive or high-stakes scenarios—will be key. You’ll be relationship-driven, highly organised, and committed to continuous improvement in your own work and that of your teams. Crucially, you’ll bring a strong passion for the role that effective governance plays in service improvement, and in protecting the interests of vulnerable individuals and communities.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and lead the risk management strategy across the business, services, and supply chain
* Ensure effective governance structures are in place and aligned with organisational strategy
* Provide high-quality, timely advice and guidance to senior leaders and local governance bodies
* Manage compliance across regulated services and internal departments
* Lead on regulatory returns, internal audits, and external assurance processes
* Support and develop governance networks and training programmes across all locations
* Promote a culture of integrity, safeguarding, and accountability throughout the organisation
Essential Skills and Experience
* Proven experience in senior governance, risk, or compliance roles (public, education, charity, or third sector)
* Strong understanding of compliance, legal, and regulatory frameworks, particularly in education or housing
* Track record of providing expert advice to senior leaders and Boards
* Ability to manage complexity, influence with authority, and deliver through others
* Passion for high-quality service delivery and supporting children, young people, and communities
What’s on Offer
* Salary of £50,000 – £55,000, depending on experience
* Hybrid working – with presence required in Merseyside several days per week
* Enhanced pension scheme
* Flexible working arrangements
* Generous annual leave and professional development opportunities
* A supportive, inclusive and values-driven organisational culture