Salary : £56,745
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type:Open Ended
Location: Polaris House, Swindon
Closing Date: Sunday 8 June 2025
Job Overview:
The Governance Lead is a key role in a newly established team that will consolidate UKRI governance activity into a single function. The team will be established under the General Counsel and will be responsible for ensuring that UKRI operates its corporate governance arrangements compliantly and in line with best practice. The team’s remit will include core governance activities previously delivered by the UKRI Internal Controls Team, ranging from Declarations of Interest, Delegations, Gifts and Hospitality, and coordination of inputs to the annual Governance Statement; to drafting the annual Modern Slavery Statement, compliance with Welsh Language Scheme obligations, and work on the Policy of Policies. The team will also advise staff at all levels in the organisation on both ad hoc and complex corporate governance queries, including contributing to Accounting Officer Advice where applicable.
Key Responsibilities:
The postholder acts as subject matter expert for corporate governance activities delivered by the team and will help develop and champion the establishment of the new function. The postholder’s key responsibilities will include the following:
* Oversight of the annual review of the Policy on Policies and provision of advice and support to Councils on policy development
* Reviewing and refreshing the UKRI Delegations Framework, including ensuring that comprehensive and compliant delegation/allocation letters are issued in a timely manner across the organization
* Leading on the updating and development of the UKRI Governance Framework document, working with and coordinating inputs from specialist and professional teams across the organisation and liaising with the DSIT Sponsorship Team as required
* Oversight of the development of the annual Governance Statement including providing assurance that the Governance Statement is comprehensive and has appropriate clearance within agreed timescales
* Ensuring the effective operation of the Gifts and Hospitality Policy and process, the annual Declarations of Interest exercise and Welsh Language Scheme
* Leading development of an integrated approach to governance across UKRI, setting up an informal network of governance staff to share best practice and contribute to development of governance policy, and supporting governance staff in Councils to manage local compliance and reporting of governance activities
* Expert advice and support for high priority governance work across UKRI on an ad hoc basis, including advice on special projects as required
* Minimum quarterly review of governance risks on the CGR and advice to the General Counsel on key emerging governance issues
* Providing reports to PFO/other committees on key governance activity and compliance as required
* Line management of the Governance Manager.
Person Specification:
(S) – Shortlisting Criteria (I) – Interview Criteria (S & I) - Shortlisting Criteria & Interview Criteria
Essential
* Degree and/or equivalent experience (S)
* Recognised professional qualification in corporate governance (S)
* Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to influence and build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels, instilling confidence and acting as trusted advisor (I)
* Enthusiastic, motivated and adaptable; able to work flexibly in a changing environment and respond to shifting priorities (I)
* Ability to innovate and challenge established thinking in self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application to support continuous improvement (I)
* Strong oral and written communication skills, and ability to produce and deliver clear, high-quality reports and papers in relevant forums (I)
* Excellent attention to detail and good system-based and administration skills. (I)
* Strong governance/risk management experience, including operating effective risk management strategies in relation to governance and compliance issues, policy, and frameworks in a large organisation (S & I)
* Experience of working with internal and external Auditors (e.g. GIAA, National Audit Office). (I)
Knowledge
* Managing Public Money (I)
* HM Treasury and Cabinet Office standards and rules, particularly in relation to corporate governance; risk management; Spending Controls; regularity and propriety (conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, ethics) (I)
* Internal Audit Standards (I)
* Orange Book (I)
* FRC Corporate Governance Code and its public sector equivalent. (I)
* Government Functional Standards. (I)
Desirable
* Line management experience (S & I)
* Project management experience. (S & I)
Application Guidance:
How to evidence the criteria:
You are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in the cover letter to evidence your ability to meet the ‘person specification’ criteria in the job description. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11). For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service ’.
About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found atwww.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visitBenefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
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