Head of Governance

About the NMC

Our vision is safe, effective and kind nursing and midwifery practice that improves everyone's health and wellbeing. As the independent regulator of 853,707 nursing and midwifery professionals, we have an important role to play in making this a reality.

Our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

The NMC is an exciting organisation with the ambition to be the leading healthcare regulator. To achieve this, we are working in an agile way that offers great opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds. We are committed to being an inclusive employer.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, maternity, disability, or gender identity and welcome applications from under-represented groups.

Details of our EDI work and plans are here:

About the team and what we do

The Governance Team sits at the centre of how we ensure transparency, accountability and effective oversight at the NMC. We support the Executive, Council and its committees, uphold our statutory and regulatory responsibilities, and safeguard the integrity of our decision-making. From organising Executive Board and Council business to overseeing statutory reporting and member recruitment, we play a vital role in ensuring the NMC delivers on its public interest mission with clarity and credibility.

Your role and impact

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the NMC's Governance Team and shape how we deliver high-quality governance at every level. As Head of Governance, you'll provide expert support to the Council, committee chairs, partner members and senior leadership. You'll oversee everything from constitutional compliance and statutory reporting to member recruitment, induction and development. Your leadership will ensure our governance structures are not only robust and efficient but also reflect best practice and the highest standards of public service.

Some of what you will do

• Lead the delivery of Council and committee business, ensuring it is timely, high-quality and aligned with organisational priorities.
• Oversee recruitment, induction, development and appraisal processes for Council, committee and partner members.
• Produce and coordinate key statutory outputs, including the Annual Report and Accounts and the Annual Fitness to Practise report.
• Act as secretary to the Audit Committee and other committees as required.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including charity law and PSA standards, and maintain accurate records of interests.
• Lead a team of nine colleagues, fostering a positive, proactive and high-performing team culture.
• Deputise for the Assistant Director of Governance as needed.

What you will bring

• Significant experience working in governance, ideally within a regulatory, public or charitable organisation.
• Strong understanding of statutory and constitutional frameworks, with the ability to interpret and apply complex governance requirements.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience advising senior leaders and board members.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, manage complex priorities, and deliver continuous improvement.
• A collaborative, confident and detail-focused approach, with a commitment to high standards and public service values.

Why apply?

This role offers the chance to lead a vital function at the heart of UK health and care regulation. You'll work closely with our Chair of Council, Chief Executive and Executive Directors - shaping how we govern and hold ourselves to account. If you're looking for a senior role where your skills can make a real impact on public trust, professional standards and organisational performance, we'd love to hear from you.

Salary Details

All of our roles are available at either our London or Edinburgh locations. Please see salary scales below for each location

London: £72,135 - £80,150
Edinburgh: 67,087 - £74,451

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave
• Enhanced Pension Contributions via our attractive Pension Scheme - with a basic 8% employer contribution as standard which increases up to 14% with optional added Employee Contributions
• Life Insurance - 4 x current salary
• Hybrid/Flexible working policies
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• 24 Hours Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Perkbox membership
• Subsidised restaurant in our Portland Place office
• Season ticket loans

About Us

Our core role is to regulate. First, we promote high education and professional standards for nurses and midwives across the UK, and nursing associates in England. Second, we maintain the register of professionals eligible to practise. Third, we investigate concerns about nurses, midwives and nursing associates - something that affects a tiny minority of professionals each year. We believe in giving professionals the chance to address concerns, but we'll always take action when needed.

To regulate well, we support our professions and the public. We create resources and guidance that are useful throughout people's careers, helping them to deliver our standards in practice and address new challenges. We also support people involved in our investigations, and we're increasing our visibility so people feel engaged and empowered to shape our work.

Regulating and supporting our professions allows us to influence health and social care. We share intelligence from our regulatory activities and work with our partners to support workforce planning and sector-wide decision making. We use our voice to speak up for a healthy and inclusive working environment for our professions.

Check out our NMC LinkedIn page here for an insight into the NMC, our vacancies and the world of healthcare regulation.

Additional Information

Please note, if we receive a high level of applications, we may choose to close this advert early. We encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

The role you are applying for is a flexible role, and whilst you will be posted initially to a team, this may require movement between teams as the flow of work dictates. You will of course understand that this flexible approach enables us to provide the best possible service to our registrants and reach the outcomes to our cases quickly and within a reasonable timeframe. This will not change your terms and conditions and will be discussed with you prior to you taking up the post.

Hybrid Working Policy

We are currently working to a policy of office attendance for two days per week with the rest of the time working from home. Before submitting your application, please ensure you are able to commit to working in one of our office locations twice per week. If you are applying for a part-time role, please pro-rata office attendance based on the number of days you would be working.

Our Pay Policy

It is expected that staff new to the NMC will ordinarily be appointed to the bottom of the relevant pay band. However in exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to offer a salary above the bottom of the relevant pay band but we may request proof of current earnings. Please note that we offer an annual review of salaries and adopt a generous progressive pay approach. Further details of which are available on request.

For our internal colleagues, you will be paid in accordance to our internal pay policy.

Reasonable adjustments

We will provide reasonable adjustments to support disabled candidates throughout the recruitment process. Please let us know if you need any additional support to enable you to make an application with us.

Screening and vetting

All of our roles are subject to pre-employment checks. We are in the process of introducing a vetting policy, and it is possible that this role may become subject to DBS and further vetting checks in future.