Director of Governance & Professional Standards

Job Title: Director of Governance and Professional Standards

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: 12 Bloomsbury Square, Holborn, London (Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office)

Company Overview:

Ciarb is a professional membership body. We support our members through advocacy, professional standards, training, and guidance. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, compliance, and integrity in all that we do.

Position Overview:

The Director of Governance and Professional Standards plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the integrity, transparency, and effectiveness of Ciarb’s governance frameworks across both its international branches and headquarters. This role is based in London with a minimum requirement of 2 days in the office. The role also oversees the Institute’s commitment to high professional standards, member conduct, and compliance with regulatory expectations.

You will act as the principal governance adviser to the Board of Trustees, Committees, and senior leadership, embedding best practices in governance and professional standards. Support coordination with external legal counsel related to governance, as needed.

You will act as Ciarb’s principal Company Secretary and constitutional guardian, with specific responsibility for strengthening branch accountability through strong and clear governance, managing governance risk, and leading intervention where governance failure, regulatory exposure, or reputational risk arises. The role is explicitly governance‑led rather than legal‑advisory in nature.

Key Responsibilities:

Governance – Branches

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve governance frameworks, policies, and procedures for Ciarb’s global branch network.

• Provide guidance and training to branch chairs and committees to ensure adherence to Ciarb’s Constitution, Regulations, and best governance practices.

• Facilitate branch compliance with reporting obligations, elections, and governance reviews.

• Build strong relationships with branch leadership to ensure consistent application of Ciarb’s values and governance standards globally.

Governance – Headquarters

• Lead with management and oversight of HQ governance, ensuring alignment with Charity Commission requirements and relevant corporate governance codes.

• Act as Secretary to the Board and key Committees, ensuring effective governance support including agenda setting, papers, minutes, and follow-up.

• Support the Chair, President, and CEO in the execution of governance responsibilities and the strategic development of the Institute.

• Monitor compliance with the Charter, Bye-laws, and Regulations, advising on any changes required for legal or regulatory compliance with the support of external legal advice.

• Act formally as Company Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

• Oversee Board composition, succession, conflicts of interest, and trustee development.

• Ensure clear separation between governance and executive management.

• Lead Board and Committee effectiveness reviews.

Regulatory, Constitutional & External Oversight

• Act as Ciarb’s primary governance interface with the Charity Commission and Privy Council.

• Coordinate constitutional and Bye‑law changes.

• Oversee governance‑related regulatory correspondence.

Professional Standards

• Lead the strategy and operations for professional conduct, ethics, and member compliance with Ciarb’s standards.

• Oversee the complaints, disciplinary, and appeals processes, ensuring fair, consistent, and timely resolution in line with policy.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to uphold professional standards across all regions and practice areas.

• Ensure professional standards outcomes inform wider governance risk assessments.

• Champion continuous improvement and accountability in Ciarb’s professional practice frameworks.

Experience:

Essential

• Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in governance, legal, or regulatory roles within complex organisations, preferably with an international footprint.

• Demonstrated leadership in corporate or charitable governance, including board and committee support, regulatory compliance, and constitutional review.

• Proven track record of managing and advising on governance structures across multiple jurisdictions.

• Strong experience in professional standards, ethics, or regulatory compliance functions.

• Experience acting as secretary to boards or committees and working closely with senior leadership and external stakeholders.

• Familiarity with UK charity law, governance codes, and legal obligations of charitable organisations. Confident and credible when liaising with legal counsel, regulatory bodies, and external partners.

• Proven ability to advise Boards during high‑risk governance situations.

• Experience acting as Company Secretary or equivalent governance authority.

Desirable

• Prior experience working in or with professional membership bodies, learned societies, or international NGOs.

• Understanding of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) environments or professional standards specific to arbitration and mediation.

• Experience managing complaints and disciplinary processes, ideally within a membership or regulatory setting.

• Exposure to international governance or oversight of regional governance frameworks.

Personal attributes:

• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels including with Boards, Committees, and international branches.

• Analytical and strategic thinking, with a strong ability to interpret complex regulatory environments and translate them into practical governance solutions.

• Politically astute and confident navigating organisational dynamics and sensitive issues.

• Excellent organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Highly developed Emotional Intelligence

• Commitment to integrity, fairness, and upholding the highest professional standards.

What's in it for you?

Contract: Permanent

Working Style: Full Time, 35 hours per week

Salary: £85,000 to £100,000 (depending on experience)

Annual leave: 25 days per annum plus UK bank holidays

Sick pay: Enhanced company scheme subject to terms and conditions

My Free Time: We offer up to 12 additional wellbeing days a year

Pension: Generous Pension Scheme (from day 1 of joining)

Other Benefits:

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Private Healthcare: Vitality Health

Cycle-to-work scheme

Season Ticket Loan

Perkbox subscription (money-saving platform)

Application Notes:

A covering letter of ideally one A4 page but no more than one along with your CV is required to complete your application.

See below to view guidance on constructing a cover letter.