Head of Governance and Assurance UK

Vercity Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional services firm seeks a Head of Governance and Assurance to guide risk management for MSA projects across the UK. The role involves providing governance, developing compliance strategies, and mentoring the Operations division. Ideal candidates possess a Bachelor's degree, over 10 years of experience in governance assurance, and a strong ability to build relationships with stakeholders. This position offers an opportunity to drive continuous improvement and cultivate a culture of innovation within the company.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Governance assurance or risk management.
• Proven experience leading Governance and risk management in professional services.
• Experience in infrastructure or built-asset market with lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Provide governance and advice to Vercity teams delivering MSA scope to clients.
• Lead and implement compliance and assurance strategies across the portfolio.
• Oversee governance activities and reports, ensuring best-in-class governance.

Skills

Leadership

Risk management

Data-driven decision making

Client-centric approach

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related business management discipline

Master's Degree in Business Administration

Job description

Leadership of the governance and compliance team in the operations business area.

Close working relationships with the MD of Full-Service MSA Delivery (FS-MSA, Operations, or “Ops”), the Operations Delivery Director, Portfolio Directors and GMs will be essential.

The Head of Governance and Assurance will have an affiliation with Head of HSEQ , our corporate risk committee and other wider corporate bodies. A relationship with Head of Professional services as many services are delivered into MSA contracts.

The role will work closely with the Vercity teams which oversee the delivery our MSA contracts, and there will be occasions to interface with the respective project investor, counterparties (including public authorities and FM contractors), and the operations senior management team to drive continuous improvement.

Information

Location

Vercity Office, London or Leeds

Reporting To

Managing Director of Operations

Hours

35

Key Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities:

Governance and assurance to Portfolio of MSA Projects

• As a member of the Operations’ Senior Leadership Team, the role involves providing governance and advice to the Vercity teams delivering MSA scope to clients across a large portfolio of PFI projects in the UK.
• The role will provide assurance to assist projects that could experience a range of challenges and require increased focus and strategic thinking.
• Lead the development and implementation of our compliance and assurance strategies across the UK portfolio, individual projects and associated engagements, ensuring alignment with the needs of the specific stakeholders.
• Where additional engagements, or services, or any scope which is not part of the MSA services are required, ensure Furthermore, where Vercity is also the supplier of those respective additional engagements, and protect Vercity’s interests.
• Oversight and leadership of the governance and assurance delivered throughout the FS-MSA Business Area.
• Oversee updates to standard operating procedures, as well as regulatory, H&S, and contract requirements.

Governance Leadership

• Monitor and report on Assurance Performance, insights, and strategic recommendations. Identify and implement “best practices” and opportunities for improvement in assurance and monitoring activities.
• Ensure effective management of governance activities, including reviewing reports and actions as well as any relevant client feedback.
• Continuously review and working with operations leadership augment all relevant management system (“VMS”), policies and procedures with respect to Vercity’s operational governance and assurance management, to ensure we have best-in-class governance and controls in place.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives to enhance governance and assurance performance and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement across Vercity’s portfolios of MSA projects which, in turn, will help to produce business growth and to achieve strategic objectives.
• Lead by example, with a growth mindset, by instilling a culture of continuous improvement and innovation relating to governance and assurance within the Ops Business Area.
• Coach, mentor and deliver relevant training to the Operations division on lessons-learned and on key experiences from specific projects – to drive forward improvements across other projects within Vercity’s MSA portfolio.

KPI’s

• We have company-level balanced goals and objectives which includes KPIs relating to People, Culture, Growth and Financial performance.
• The Head of Governance and assurance will align with these KPIs, but it will be in their remit to propose subsets and operational-level KPIs to help monitor their progress and impact. It is expected that these will include (but not be limited to) metrics such as contract compliance and Client Satisfaction Rating.

Other Responsibilities:

In addition to the Key Accountabilities above, as a member of operations senior leadership team they will be responsible for contributing to:

• Leadership and Vision: Providing visionary leadership to inspire and guide client-facing colleagues in the execution of best-practice.
• Always role modelling our corporate values and expected behaviours.
• Coaching and Mentoring: Nurturing a culture of innovation and fostering the development of good governance, assurance and relationship management skills (with the support of the Learning and Development function of the HR/People team).
• Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Oversee relevant budgeting process and allocating resources effectively.
• Collaborating with other functional heads to align the Governance role and practice with overall company objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including clients, FM providers, partners and industry leaders. When required represent the organisation in meetings with clients, government bodies, advisors, investors, lenders and other key stakeholders. Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for project objectives.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments to inform strategic decisions when advising on governance issues.

This job description is intended to reflect, in outline, the responsibilities of the post-holder which may change over time with the Corporate and local business needs of Vercity and the particular PFI contract. It will therefore, be subject to periodic review.

Person Specification

Experience and Knowledge

• Proven experience and track record of leading Governance and risk management to support growth within a professional services, consulting, or business process outsourcing organisation.
• Experience in the infrastructure or built-asset market, with a reasonable understanding of how projects are delivered and/or managed/maintained through their whole lifecycle. Ideally, within both publicly funded and privately financed structures (DBFO, PPP/PFI, Project Finance, and similar public-private delivery models).
• Proven track record in assurance and risk management, including identification, mitigation, and reporting of commercial risks.
• Demonstrable capability in building their business-to-business network, creating new relationships and nurturing over time.
• Leadership Experience: A track record of successful leadership, teamwork and/or team management in their respective field.
• Technology Proficiency: Having a good grasp of various digital and data technologies.
• Change Management: Proven experience in implementing change and overcoming resistance by using various management approaches to help the respective organisation navigate through the transition smoothly.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Proven experience in using data to communicate issues, options and decisions.
• Client-Centric Approach: Client-facing experience of co-creating solutions, seeking/responding to feedback and meeting clients’ expectations with the outcomes.
• Experience in integrating ESG and sustainability considerations into operational decision-making.

Personal Attributes.

In addition to the leadership qualities previously set out we expect the Head of Governance to be able to demonstrate:

• Alignment with Vercity’s corporate values: Integrity, Collaboration, Professionalism, and Make-a-difference.
• Strong self-motivation to succeed.
• An innovative Mind: Forward-thinking and open to exploring new ideas and innovative solutions. Encouraging experimentation and a culture of innovation will help advance Vercity.
• A compelling communicator with gravitas, tenacity, and a natural ability to ‘read the room’ and adapt their style accordingly.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Able to navigate through challenges, learn from setbacks, and guide others through various transitions
• Continuous Learning: Possessing a ‘growth mindset’ and demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning; Staying up to date with industry and market trends, seeking opportunities for personal and professional development, and encouraging a culture of learning in every part of Vercity.
• A passion for driving change, continuous improvement and developing people.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in Governance assurance or risk management and leadership, including building C-suite relationships.
• Appropriate qualification or Bachelor’s degree in related business management discipline.
• Master’s Degree (optional but advantageous) in Business Administration (MBA) or a related master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Professional Certifications from relevant professional bodies (e.g., MRICS, CIPS, IACCM) would enhance a candidate’s attractiveness for this role.

Vercity believes that diversity is paramount to driving creativity, innovation and value for our clients and for our people. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, or social background.

Please send us your name, contact details, CV and cover letter here.