About the job

Job summary

House of Commons

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system. 

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Introduction 

The Governance Office is responsible for key corporate functions, including the Domestic Committees and Governance Secretariat, Strategic Planning and Performance, Parliamentary Safety, Information Compliance and Internal Audit.

The Domestic Committees and Governance Secretariat provides secretariat services, support and advice to the Commission (and Members Estimate Committee), the Finance Committee, the Administration Committee, the Administration Estimate Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (and Members Estimate Audit Committee) and the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art. These groups represent the senior Member bodies in the House of Commons which decide and advise on how the House Administration should deliver its services to Members, staff and visitors. The Secretariat provides governance advice and support to Boards and Groups across the House of Commons.

Job description

The Governance Manager works with colleagues in the Governance Office and the Office of the Executive, as well as colleagues across Parliament, to deliver effective strategic governance support, advice for boards and groups and is Secretary to the Audit Committee.

As Governance Manager they will be responsible for taking forward proposals to develop, and then maintain a strategic governance framework for the House of Commons that draws together existing policies and frameworks to ensure governance is explained clearly to stakeholders and is in line with good practice. This will include actioning proposals for new guidance and standards for sub-Boards and supporting its practical use. They will support board secretaries across the organisation and seek opportunities for practical improvement. Responsible for the register of Boards and Groups they will have a clear strategic oversight role for governance in the House. Using their knowledge and experience, they will be proactive in offering advice, working collaboratively with governance colleagues in the House of Lords to ensure a coordinated approach.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Being responsible for the content and provision of information to explain the governance framework to staff and stakeholders;
• Leading work to implement proposals to improve the practical operation of sub-Boards through enhanced guidance, and support to individual sub-boards as necessary; working closely with the Secretary to the Commons Executive Board (CEB) to ensure the activities of sub-boards are appropriately reported to the CEB.
• As secretary of the Administration Estimate Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, manage the agenda and forward plan, acting as the primary source of support and advice for the Chair and stakeholders;

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• A recognised qualification in corporate governance or a willingness to undertake a professional qualification within the first year in the role.
• An excellent understanding of best practice in governance and an ability to be the lead authority on the issue.
• The ability to build and maintain good working relationships with senior Parliamentary officials, Members of Parliament, non-executives and other stakeholders while giving advice and balancing sometimes conflicting interests.
• The ability to translate strategic aims into practical objectives, evaluate highly complex situations, and initiate and manage change in areas of governance, resolving issues with a strategic focus, while understanding political and reputational risks and opportunities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to produce clear, informative and compelling communications, including at a strategic level.
• Proven organisational skills with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and resources, manage conflicting priorities at a senior level and deliver to tight deadlines under pressure.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,180, House of Commons contributes £15,168 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1-5 in the Job Description. 

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description. 

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.