Executive Governance Manager

Job Introduction

Can you juggle, spin plates, and help put on the greatest show?  If you can then you can join the circus, but the national or international travel may not be for you. 

Alternatively, if you can juggle, spin plates and challenge people to create a sense of order then this may be job for you.  You'll have some working from home but be based in London, with occasional working in Kent - any commute made easier with free train travel across large parts of the South East and up to Luton. We are looking for someone who can support the running of Southeastern and ensure that the key business decisions are based on the right information, with the right people involved and at the right time.  You should be able to keep calm and forward plan and be able to challenge, support and influence people.  You'll be part of supporting the executive team and MD's office and ensure the business operates well.   This is an opportunity to find out how a business is run and great for career development.  It's everything you ever want, it's everything you ever need, this is where you wanna be ….  And this job is here right in front of you - come and get it now!

What is the job about?

You'll organise, oversee, and track key business decisions.  Managing inputs from multiple people and sources you will support the achievement of strategic objectives by ensuring there is effective coordination of Committee, Board and Executive management meetings and the related flow of information.  You will provide support to the Chief of Staff to ensure that papers, reports and data is collated and where necessary socialised across departments before meetings.

The postholder is responsible for the delivery of a full secretariat support service to the Executive and SETL Board, deputising for the Chief of Staff at relevant meetings, as necessary.  

This will be a pivotal role working across all elements of the business, building strong and trusted relationships with the Executive and Senior Leadership teams.

Where will I work?

Your office location will be at our fantastic Headquarters based at 4More, London Bridge. However the role will also include hybrid working.

There is the potential for this role to have flexible working hours and this can be discussed at interview.

Role Responsibility

You will have a number of accountabilities and responsibilities in this role, that will include but not be limited to:

• Ensuring that the corporate governance framework supports high quality, well-informed corporate decision-making, by managing the schedule, agenda, content and logistics for Executive, Board and associated Committee meetings throughout the year, ensuring all relevant content and reports are captured and communicated in an appropriate way.
• Being accountable to the Chief of Staff for the smooth and effective operating of the corporate governance framework, in collaboration with the Company Secretary, Executive Directors, DOHL and other colleagues, ensuring that Boards and Committees are properly constituted, have up to date, clear and fit for purpose terms of reference in place.
• Being responsible for the provision of a professional secretariat support service to the Board, its assurance Committees and the Executive Leadership team, including maintaining the forward plan; drafting agendas; timely circulation of meeting papers and preparation of packs; taking of accurate minutes; documenting and following up on actions agreed during the course of meetings.
• Assisting with the preparation of the Annual Governance Statement for inclusion in the Annual Report and Financial Statement, ensuring that each statement is prepared in accordance with requirements and is an accurate reflection of SETL’s position.
• Provide advice, guidance and support as required to the Executive , Board, DOHL  and Senior Leadership team on matters relating to corporate governance, including the scheduling of meetings, timing and submission of Board and Committee reports in line with relevant Terms of Reference and Service Contracts.
• Attending specific Executive level meetings to ensure that key actions are captured and followed up by the business as required as well as offering own advice and suggestions to influence outcomes as appropriate.
• Undertaking other administrative tasks and duties in support of the Executive Leadership Team, providing cover, as necessary, for the Chief of Staff and Executive PA team during periods of leave or absence.
• Maintaining close working relationships with SETL, DOHL, Network Rail or other TOC colleagues to ensure effective collaboration and the sharing of best practice and/or lessons learned.

The Ideal Candidate

Is it for me?

Do you have excellent organisational skills and experience of working within a corporate governance role or as a Board Secretary or similar? Then this could be the role for you!

We are looking for enthusiastic and empathetic communicators who have the ability to use their own initiative and able to prioritise their own work loads effectively.

You will need to be confident at dealing with people from all levels, up to Senior Executives and Directors as well as have the ability to build relationships with third party organisations such as Network Rail and other Train Operator Companies.

Do I need railway experience?

It would be helpful, but not essential. However you will need experience of working within a governance role at a corporate level or similar, such as a Board Secretary.

Skills, experience and Knowledge:

• Significant experience of working within a corporate governance environment, in a Governance Manager role or similar.
• Highly organised with a strong attention to detail and ability to multitask and prioritise with changes in scale, scope, and project deadlines.
• Smart, empathetic communicator, skilled in written communication and with the ability to analyse complex information and situations, evaluate issues and recommend an appropriate course of action.
• Ability to work on your own initiative, prioritising competing demands and anticipating the needs of Board and Committee Chairs and senior colleagues.
• Confident with persuading and directing Executives and senior-level stakeholders to ensure compliance with governance.
• Able to build effective relationships across the business and working within highly technical, specialised disciplines.
• Ability to engender cooperation from senior colleagues and influence their approach to planning and preparing for key meetings.
• Ability to work in a confidential and discrete manner.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to think and plan strategically, tactically and creatively over short, medium and long-term timeframes and to reflect this in forward agenda planning.
• Knowledge of the effective operation of corporate governance to drive business success.
• Commercial Awareness – understands and applies commercial and financial principles, being able to take a broad-based view of issues, events and activities and a perception of their longer-term impact or wider applications. 
• Leadership – sets direction and encourages commitment to achieve common goals.  Coaches to improve performance.
• Communication and team working – expresses oneself clearly, confidently and effectively.  Is friendly, approachable and engages others in open, honest and productive conversations.  Good listener and supportive of others, helping to promote a team culture. Shares ideas and information.
• Being extremely proactive in your approach to work, planning and programming decisions in line with good governance practices.
• Thinking and problem-solving – has good analytical skills; analyses issues and breaks them into component parts.  Makes systematic and rational judgements based on relevant information.
• Preferably previous rail industry or Government experience.

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer an comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

SE Trains Limited