Head of Governance (FTC)
Posted Today by Jobserve
£55,000 Per year
Undetermined
Undetermined
London
Summary: The Head of Governance at English National Opera is a senior role focused on enhancing governance practices within the organization. This position involves working closely with the Board and executive team to ensure effective decision-making aligned with best practices and Charity Commission guidance. The role requires significant experience in charity governance and aims to foster an inclusive and accountable governance environment. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of Governance will lead governance activities and support trustee development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Coordinate governance activity and enhance Board and committee effectiveness.
- Oversee the annual governance cycle and support trustee development.
- Champion inclusive and well-informed decision-making.
- Work closely with the Board and executive team to ensure clear and accountable decision-making.
- Drive continuous improvement in governance frameworks and processes.
- Advise senior stakeholders with discretion and authority.
- Collaborate across executive teams to embed effective governance practices.
- Communicate clearly and credibly, both in writing and verbally.
- Manage competing priorities and deadlines effectively.
- Provide practical solutions with a bias for action.
- Exhibit calmness and strong professional judgement in governance matters.
- Commit to the organization's mission, values, and public purpose, including equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Key Skills:
- Significant experience in charity governance or a comparable senior governance role.
- Strong understanding of charity law and trustee responsibilities.
- Experience supporting Boards and committees, including planning and effectiveness reviews.
- Demonstrable experience improving governance frameworks and processes.
- Confidence in advising senior stakeholders.
- Collaborative working style across executive teams.
- Clear and credible communication skills.
- Highly organized with strong time management skills.
- Practical and solutions-focused approach.
- Strong professional judgement and calm demeanor.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Salary (Rate): £55,000 per annum
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: undetermined
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: Other
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.