Head of Governance and Secretary

We are seeking an outstanding governance professional to join the Institute as Head of Governance. This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role at the heart of one of the UK’s most respected research institutions, working closely with the Board of Trustees, Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team.

As the Institute’s principal adviser on governance, constitutional affairs, regulatory compliance and institutional assurance, you will help ensure that the ICR continues to meet the highest standards of governance while supporting ambitious scientific and educational objectives.

The Head of Governance is the Institute’s most senior governance professional. You will serve as Secretary to the Board of Trustees and its principal committees, providing independent, expert advice to the Chair, Trustees and Executive Team on governance, regulatory and constitutional matters. You will serve as Company Secretary. You will help ensure that ambitious scientific objectives are delivered within a framework of strong governance, effective oversight and long-term sustainability. You will have direct access to the Chair of the Board and will be expected to provide independent governance advice to Trustees and senior leaders while fostering effective working relationships across the Institute.

Key Responsibilities:

Governance and Board Leadership

• Serve as Secretary to the Board of Trustees and its principal committees.
• Act as principal adviser to the Chair and Trustees on governance, constitutional and regulatory matters.
• Ensure the Board and Committees receive high-quality information and advice to support effective decision-making.
• Lead governance reviews and continuous improvement activities.
• Support Trustee recruitment, induction, development and succession planning.
• Ensure governance arrangements reflect sector best practice and regulatory expectations.

Strategic Advice

• Advise the Board, Chair and Chief Executive on the governance implications of strategic decisions.
• Support effective relationships between Trustees and executive management.
• Provide independent advice on governance risks, opportunities and emerging issues.
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, integrity and continuous improvement.

Regulatory Compliance and Institutional Assurance

• Serve as Company Secretary
• Lead governance relationships with higher education and other relevant regulators.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Oversee governance policies, compliance registers and reporting arrangements.

Organisational Integrity

• Maintain arrangements relating to declarations of interests and conflicts management.
• Support governance reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee and other Board committees.

Leadership

• Drive continual improvement in governance systems, processes and services.
• Develop strong relationships across the Institute and within the wider higher education, research and charity sectors.

About You:

We are looking for an experienced and highly credible governance leader with excellent judgement, integrity and relationship-building skills. Essential experience and knowledge requirements include:

• Significant senior governance leadership experience within higher education, research, healthcare, charitable, public sector or other complex regulated environments.
• Extensive experience supporting Boards, Councils, Governors, Trustees or equivalent governing bodies.
• Experience advising Chairs, non-executive board members and senior executives.
• Experience of governance, regulatory compliance and institutional assurance.
• A track record of leading organisational improvement and governance enhancement initiatives.
• UK higher education governance and regulation.
• Charity governance and trustee responsibilities.
• Board effectiveness and governance best practice.
• Risk management and assurance frameworks.
• Governance and compliance within complex organisations.

Why work for us?

As a member of staff, you’ll have exclusive access to a range of staff benefits.

The ICR is committed to supporting overseas applicants applying for roles, please click here to find out further information.

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. Further information about working at the ICR can be found here.