Governance Manager


Company:	Colchester City Council
Salary:	£46,843 - £52,618
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Colchester, CO1 1PJ
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	13 Aug 2026
Closing date:	1 Sept 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

Working hours: 37 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Lead Governance, Risk and Resilience Across the Council

Are you an experienced governance professional looking for a leadership role where you can make a significant impact across a diverse range of services?

We are seeking a proactive and highly motivated Governance Manager to lead our Governance Team and provide strategic leadership on operational risk management, corporate governance, internal audit, insurance, resilience, emergency planning and anti-fraud activity across the Council.

This is a high-profile role that will lead the development of a strong risk-aware culture across the organisation, ensuring that risks are identified, assessed, managed and reported effectively to protect the Council's objectives, assets, reputation and residents. Working closely with senior managers, councillors and external partners, you will play a key role in strengthening governance arrangements, supporting informed decision-making and ensuring the Council remains resilient in a rapidly changing local government environment.

About the Role

As Governance Manager, you will:

Lead and develop the Governance Team, creating a positive and high-performing culture which supports continuous improvement and excellent service delivery.

Act as the Council's lead officer for Operational Risk Management, ensuring risk management arrangements are embedded across all services and understood at every level of the organisation.

Develop, implement and continuously improve the Council's Operational Risk Management Framework, ensuring strategic and operational risks are effectively identified, monitored, mitigated and reported.

Provide challenge, advice and support to senior managers in managing significant operational, financial, reputational and compliance risks.

Lead and manage the Council's risk management, insurance, business continuity and emergency planning functions.

Lead corporate governance arrangements, including anti-fraud and corruption initiatives, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice.

Oversee the National Fraud Initiative, whistleblowing arrangements and fraud prevention activities.

Manage the Council's internal audit contract and oversee implementation of audit recommendations and improvement actions

Lead the development and implementation of governance policies, procedures and frameworks across the Council.

Undertake and oversee governance investigations, including matters relating to the Councillor Code of Conduct.

Prepare and present reports, recommendations and assurance updates to councillors, senior management and governance committees.

Support the Monitoring Officer and Service Director – Governance in preparing for Local Government Reorganisation and future governance requirements.

Apply for this job

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.