Governance & Operations Manager

UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £34,905
Hours: Full time/Part Time (Minimum of 0.8 FTE) 
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months) 
Location: Polaris House, Swindon. (Hybrid working available with once a month in the office)

Closing Date: Sunday 19th May 2024

Job Overview

The UKRI International Governance and Operations team is a small and central team within the UKRI International Shared Capability directorate, that bring together corporate operational and reporting activities and supports the UKRI International Chief Operating Officer in the leadership and delivery of operational matters that interface with corporate services, including HR, Finance, Estates, DDaT and Internal Communications.

Key Accountabilities

• Actively contribute to UKRI International’s control framework, acting as Risk Champion in supporting risk management activities, to include reviewing and updating controls, actions and risk scoring and reporting.
• Act as SME on the CGR system, providing advice and guidance to the International Team.
• Support Business Continuity activities, providing operational support to key stakeholders as required.
• Support delivery of the People Plan, undertaking operational activities to support key implementation activities.
• Responsible for ensuring all governance documentation is fit for purpose and in line with UKRI governance practice.
• Provide high-quality advice and guidance to colleagues on governance matters, based on best practice.
• Manage logging and storing of international MoUs, working with key stakeholders to ensure best practice.
• Undertake annual Information Asset Register review and working with stakeholders to ensure UKRI requirements are met.
• Work closely with UKRI Secretariat and Governance functions to ensure alignment with UKRI policies. 
• Work with the Senior Governance Manager on development and delivery of high-quality reports for senior level audience and for purposes of effective governance oversight.
• Support the Senior Governance Manager to manage the misconduct, ethics and complaints case load in addition to FOI process, researching and drafting responses.
• Provide operational and logistical support to Senior Governance Manager in managing UKRI International’s management of and involvement in UKRI wide committees and working groups.

Engagement

• Build and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Team Management

• Work with and provide activity management support for colleagues in other teams.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Experience of putting in place and maintaining robust governance and operational processes, advising on best practice and implementing ways to continuously improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Experience of collaboration, partnership working and organising and managing complexity and ambiguity.
• Experience of establishing effective working relationship and networks with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate with great interpersonal and influencing skills, negotiating effectively with colleagues at different levels inside and outside UKRI International.
• Ability to provide written and verbal briefings and advice suitable for senior executives and decision makers.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to work flexibly and to plan, manage and deliver a portfolio of activities with different timescales, priorities and delivery mechanisms.
• Ability to think creatively, solve problems and make effective decisions, sometimes in a challenging environment.
• Exposure to or understanding of risk management control frameworks and co-ordination.

Desirable

• Understanding of UKRI’s vision and objectives