Head of Governance and Compliance

474101 Head of Governance and Compliance

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 27th August 2026

📍 Location: Southampton (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

💷 Salary: £57,515 – A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

🕘️ Contract Type: Fixed term 6 months with potential for extension and/or permanency – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

🏆️ Available Positions: 1

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Head of Governance and Compliance to lead and strengthen the Agency’s governance and compliance framework. This is a senior leadership role within Corporate Services, providing assurance to the Chief Corporate Officer that statutory, regulatory and central government requirements are met. You will oversee the running of executive and board governance, assurance activity, compliance monitoring, legal reporting and key annual governance products, while helping to embed a culture of good governance, ethical leadership and continuous improvement across the Agency.

As Head of Governance and Compliance, you will lead the MCA’s governance and compliance activity, ensuring effective frameworks, systems and reporting are in place to support accountability and informed decision-making. You will oversee key governance meetings and statutory products, and work across the Agency to monitor compliance and drive continuous improvement.

Top Responsibilities

Leading and developing the Governance and Compliance team, building a high-performing and supportive culture.
Maintaining MCA’s corporate governance framework in line with government standards and organisational requirements.
Overseeing compliance with legal, regulatory and central government requirements, including monitoring and reporting arrangements.
Designing and maintaining governance structures that support accountability, transparency and effective decision-making.
Managing MCA governance meeting cycles, including Executive Committee, MCA Board, Audit and Risk Committee and Sponsorship Board activity.

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

Benefits

Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
Access to the staff discount portal.
Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

Be a credible and authentic leader, with the ability to articulate a vision, and engage people to deliver results.
Experience of providing effective advice on compliance issues, including legal and regulatory where applicable, and applying public sector guidelines and rules.
Extensive experience in corporate governance, compliance, assurance or public sector controls frameworks and producing statutory governance products (e.g., Governance Statements, assurance returns).
Experience providing authoritative governance advice to senior leaders and Boards.
Understanding of Government Functional Standards and central government compliance frameworks.
Experience government legal practices.
Highly developed interpersonal, communication and influencing skills with a demonstrable ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders up to a senior level.
Excellent organisational and management skills with the ability to work proactively and at pace to deliver against multiple priorities.
Experience of handling sensitive information with tact and maintaining confidentiality.

How to Apply

👉 Read the full description and apply here: https://bit.ly/4gfuREZ

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Thursday 27^th August 2026