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Head of Governance, Risk & Company Secretary

At St John Ambulance Cymru we are looking for dedicated people who share our values of compassion, quality, inclusion and integrity to join our team and help us to deliver our vision of Wales as a community of lifesavers.

Supported by nearly 2,600 volunteers, we provide frontline services in the heart of Welsh communities and provide essential support to emergency services when they need us most. Our work includes providing workplace training in first aid and health and safety; providing event medical cover at thousands of events; supporting NHS Wales with falls response and mental health transfer services; running programmes for children and young people aged 5-18.

As part of a global network, we are an independent Priory of the Order of St John, working alongside 43 St John establishments worldwide.

It’s an exciting time to join us as we embark on a modernisation programme to deliver our ambitious strategy for (Apply online only) and beyond. If this sounds like something that you would love to be part of, we would love to hear from you!

The opportunity

Location: Cardiff (Hybrid working available)

Hours: 35 hours per week (full time)

Starting salary: £49,310 per annum

Travel: Occasional travel throughout Wales as required

Role Overview:

The Head of Governance, Risk & Company Secretary is a pivotal leadership role within St John Ambulance Cymru (SJAC), responsible for ensuring the charity’s governance, legal compliance, risk management, and quality assurance functions are robust, effective, and strategically aligned with our goals.

This dual-role combines governance oversight with the leadership of organisational quality systems, ensuring that SJAC remains a trusted, safe, and high-performing organisation. The postholder will serve as Company Secretary to the Board and also lead operational governance initiatives across the charity.

What you’ll need to be successful

To thrive as our Head of Governance, Risk & Company Secretary, you’ll need leadership experience, particularly in governance, compliance, or quality assurance—ideally within a charity or healthcare setting. You’ll bring a strong understanding of governance codes and/or systems, risk management frameworks, and UK charity law along with the ability to manage sensitive issues with professionalism and discretion. A Chartered Governance Institute (ICSA) qualification or equivalent is desirable, as is experience acting as a Company Secretary. You’ll be confident leading cross-functional teams, maintaining regulatory compliance, and driving a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the organisation. Flexibility, integrity, and a commitment to our values are essential.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Governance and Secretariat

* Lead the governance function, ensuring excellent support and strategic guidance to the Board, Committees, CEO and SLT.

* Manage statutory duties including Companies House and Charity Commission filings.

* Oversee Trustee induction, development, and ongoing governance training.

* Ensure accurate and timely preparation of agendas, minutes, and decision records.

* Act as the primary liaison for legal, constitutional, and regulatory matters.

Quality, Risk and Assurance

* Develop and maintain quality assurance systems to monitor performance and learning.

* Line manage the Health, Safety & Environment Business Partner and National Facilities Manager.

* Oversee investigations into complaints, serious incidents, and whistleblowing concerns.

* Maintain and report on the Board Assurance Framework and Risk Register.

* Lead preparation and coordination for audits (including ISO, Home Office, and other regulators).

* Ensure that actions taken in pursuit of the Quality, Risk and Assurance agenda link to a budget and engage with the relevant budget holders as required.

Regulatory and Legal Compliance

* Serve as the organisation’s Data Protection Officer.

* Ensure organisational compliance with relevant legislation (charity, company, GDPR, health & safety, etc.).

* Review internal policies and procedures to maintain regulatory alignment.

* Advise departments and project leads on relevant compliance and risk issues.

Culture and Continuous Improvement

* Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

* Ensure that quality, governance, and assurance practices reflect the charity’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

* Support alignment across St John Councils and internal departments with national standards and policies.

Embody and exemplify the charity’s values at all times and hold others to account for the same

Perform any other duties commensurate with these responsibilities, the band of the post and skills and qualifications of the post-holder.

What you’ll get in return

In return, you’ll have access to a range of benefits including, but not limited to:

* 27 days holiday (excluding bank holidays)

* Access to a Blue Light Card, providing various discounts at more than 15,000 retailers.

* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

* Access to a Health Cash Back plan after 6 months.

* Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme

* Home/flexible working

* Various training and development opportunities.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, please click on apply, ensuring your submission reaches us by 12.00pm on Friday 20th June 2025. Interviews to be held on 25th & 26th June 2025.

If you would like an informal chat about the role before you apply, please contact us.

Good luck