Governance Officer – AR

Job Details

Governance Officer

Organisation: Southern Housing

About the Role

Southern Housing is seeking an organised and detail-oriented Governance Officer to provide administrative and governance support to its Boards and Committees.

Reporting to the Head of Governance & Regulation, you will play an important role in ensuring effective Board administration, maintaining accurate governance records and supporting the organisation in meeting its legal and regulatory obligations.

You will work closely with senior leaders and Board members, coordinating meetings, preparing reports, taking minutes and assisting with governance projects, regulatory compliance and company secretarial duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Organise and support Board and Committee meetings, including agenda planning, preparing and distributing meeting papers, taking minutes and monitoring follow-up actions.
• Maintain accurate and confidential governance records, files, systems and registers, including probity, gifts and hospitality, fraud and whistleblowing registers.
• Prepare reports, meeting documentation, policies and procedures to support effective governance and regulatory compliance.
• Support Annual General Meetings (AGMs), including arranging meetings, preparing notices, distributing AGM packs and taking minutes.
• Assist with the recruitment, selection, induction and training of Board and Committee members.
• Coordinate annual Board and Committee appraisals, surveys and effectiveness reports, including preparing recommendations.
• Administer legal documentation, including arranging electronic signatures and the formal execution of documents.
• Support statutory and regulatory filings, Consumer Credit Licence administration and the maintenance of governance policies and procedures.
• Assist with regulatory inspections, governance reviews and other governance-related projects.
• Undertake general administrative duties, including processing invoices and expenses, archiving records, logging legal notices and responding to enquiries.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience in governance, company secretarial duties or a similar compliance-focused administrative role.
• Understanding of governance principles and legal or regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of social housing regulation is desirable.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strong minute-taking, report-writing and written communication skills.
• Experience drafting or maintaining policies, procedures and formal documentation.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to handle confidential information professionally.

Qualifications

• Educated to A-level standard or equivalent.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be proactive, professionally curious and highly organised, with the confidence to work with senior stakeholders and the ability to maintain accurate records while meeting important deadlines. Experience supporting Boards and Committees within social housing or another regulated organisation would be advantageous.