Governance Manager (Engagement) - The Institution of Engineering & Technology : Job Details

What you'll be doing

As the Governance Manager (Engagement), you’ll play a pivotal role in supporting the IET’s Board of Trustees and President, ensuring they meet their legal and regulatory obligations while fostering a strong connection between trustees, senior governance volunteers, and staff. You’ll be responsible for providing high-level governance advice and practical support to ensure the smooth running of Board and Committee meetings, from agenda planning to minute-taking and managing the publication of key documents.

Engagement will be a key aspect of your role. You’ll coordinate and deliver opportunities for trustees to connect with staff, create informative briefings, and manage the scheduling of meetings and away days. You’ll also act as an essential communication link between the Board of Trustees and various committees, ensuring information flows effectively and decisions can be made swiftly when needed.

In addition, you’ll support the recruitment, retention, and development of trustees, advising on skills gaps, leading the annual nominations and election process, and overseeing trustee appraisals and board evaluations. You’ll also manage key governance registers, ensuring compliance with regulations and internal processes, while contributing to the IET’s strategic planning cycle.

What we hope you can bring to the role

We’re looking for someone with significant experience in a governance role, ideally within a charity or membership organisation. You’ll have a strong grasp of governance best practice, with experience supporting senior management teams and working closely with trustees and volunteers. Familiarity with drafting agendas, preparing high-quality minutes, and managing the administrative side of governance is essential.

A professional governance qualification, such as CGI or ICSA, would be highly beneficial, alongside strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail. You’ll need to be a confident communicator with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organisation and deliver advice that ensures effective governance processes.

A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is important to us, and we value a collaborative team player with the ability to work independently. If you’re someone who thrives under pressure, can meet tight deadlines, and has experience managing sensitive information, you’ll be a great fit for this role.

A little more about the role

• Provide governance advice and support to the Board of Trustees and senior volunteers, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.
• Oversee the logistics of Board and Committee meetings, including agenda planning, minute-taking, and the publication of key documents.
• Lead engagement with trustees, senior volunteers, and staff, facilitating clear communication and information flow.
• Coordinate Board of Trustees Away Days, working closely with the President, Chief Executive, and senior leadership.
• Manage the scheduling of governance meetings and ensure key decisions can be made outside formal sessions when needed.
• Support the recruitment, selection, and induction of new Board and Committee members, identifying skills gaps and overseeing trustee appraisals.
• Manage the nominations and elections process, promoting candidates and working with marketing colleagues to engage the wider membership.
• Maintain important governance registers, including those for trustees' interests, gifts, and persons with significant control.
• Advise on Board performance reviews and facilitate internal and external evaluations, supporting ongoing development.
• Ensure trustees have access to key member and customer insights to inform decision-making.
• Act as the key point of contact for governance engagement queries and maintain strong working relationships across the organisation.
• Deliver opportunities for engagement between trustees, senior volunteers, and staff to strengthen collaboration.
• Support the development and delivery of governance engagement timetables aligned with strategic planning.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of Board and Committee resolutions, agendas, and minutes.
• Assist with the development of governance practices to ensure agile and efficient decision-making processes.

A little more about what we’re looking for

• Proven experience in a governance role, ideally within a charity or membership organisation.
• Strong understanding of governance models, best practices, and relevant legislation, including the Charity Commission and Companies Act.
• Experience preparing agendas, minutes, and supporting materials for Board and Committee meetings.
• Professional qualification in governance (e.g., CGI/ICSA) is desirable.
• Excellent organisational skills with a keen eye for detail and high level of accuracy.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders and volunteers.
• Experience managing governance-related recruitment, inductions, and performance evaluations.
• Familiarity with managing key governance registers and ensuring compliance with statutory obligations.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team, handling multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Experience working with confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the workplace.
• Ability to build strong relationships and facilitate effective decision-making processes.

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