Senior Governance Manager

The Forestry Commission (FC) is the governments forestry expert. We work across England to inform, demonstrate and enable what delivers multiple benefits from trees, woods and forests. We collaborate across sectors so that forestry contributes to environmental resilience, climate action, timber security, and benefits for people and communities. We are a Non-Ministerial Government Department with a Royal Charter and part of Defra, the government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities.

The FC comprises several distinct but complementary areas, each with their own governing boards and executive leadership teams and each operating under the overarching framework, led by the Commissioners Office.

Working at the heart of the FC the Head of Internal Governance will gain real insight into the structure and relationships within the organisation. The post holder will support the Head of Performance and other senior managers across the FC, by leading a range of key corporate governance tasks, including:

corporate risk management

corporate security

corporate counter-fraud & error

business continuity management

accountability and board structures

public appointments

maintaining governance frameworks

The post holder will report to the Head of Performance and line-manage a team of two.

The individual will collaborate closely with the secretariat teams of the FCs two executive agencies (Forestry England and Forest Research) who will be responsible for the operational delivery of corporate governance against the policy, guidance and standards set by the team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead and maintain a standard corporate risk management policy and guidance across the FC in line with Cabinet Office and Defra Group requirements. Monitor compliance and provide assurance.

2. Provide support to the FCs Security Risk Owner (SRO) by undertaking assurance reviews of compliance against the government functional standard for security, driving forward improvement plans to meet this. Leading the organisations cross functional security forum to ensure the FCs security framework remains effective and up to date in response to changes in threats and processes.

3. Lead and maintain standard corporate counter fraud policy and procedures across the FC in line with Cabinet Office and Defra Group requirements. Monitor compliance and provide assurance.

4. Lead and develop business continuity management across the FC in line with Cabinet Office and Defra Group practices. Monitor effectiveness through testing and compliance reviews, providing assurance as necessary.

5. Oversight, maintenance and develop of the FC governance framework ensuring that accountability and board structures fully meet Cabinet Office/Defra Group requirements. This will include accountability and board structures, and key documentation such as the Terms of Reference for all boards and the Framework Document.

6. Oversee the work of the team on recruitment, induction and support of non-executive directors, board and committee meeting coordination, secretariat support to a range of governance meetings.

7. Lead the production of the governance statement within the FCs annual report and accounts, and contributions to other relevant areas within this document.

8. Build and exploit a close working relationship with the secretariat teams across the FC to ensure that standards and best practice are met through operational delivery.

This role sits within a dynamic organisation, and responsibilities may evolve over time as we continue to develop our structures, services and ways of working. The post holder will therefore need to be adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment.

Essential criteria

The ideal candidate will demonstrate an understanding of corporate governance and the standards required of arms-length bodies and executive agencies, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly. They should be familiar with operating a risk management framework, as well as experience in implementing a counter fraud framework, or the capacity to rapidly develop expertise in both areas. Strong IT proficiency is essential, including effective use of Microsoft Office applications. Line management experience is desirable.

Qualifications

Formal qualifications are not required for this role, but applicants are welcome to highlight any relevant qualifications that may support their application.