Title: Governance Lead
Specifications: Fixed Term Contract for 2 Years
Salary: £48,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Full-Time
Location: Remote first (home based) with some travel expected for in person meetings, United Kingdom, Germany or Denmark
Closing date: 29 April 2026 (internally); 20 May (externally)
Interview date: w/c 1 June 2026
Cochrane is a global, independent network of health practitioners, researchers, patient advocates and others, responding to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings to produce the best available evidence on what can work, what might harm and where more research is needed. Our work is recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us and it is important that the role holder can work effectively and collaboratively with a diverse range of contacts across the world.
Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into four directorates.
This role reports to the Head of Governance and sits within the Governance team in the CEOO Team Directorate.
Key areas of responsibility include:
Work with the Head of Governance and Chief Operating Officer to produce, manage and maintain a governance framework that supports a high performing governance function.
Develop and maintain key records and documentation, such as the governance timetable, register of interests and the Board nominations and election processes.
Facilitate the Executive Leadership and Wider Leadership meetings and ensure terms of reference are maintained, regular papers are produced and circulated, a forward planner is monitored, and matters arising/actions are accurately recorded and followed up.
Work with the Head of Finance, Head of People & Culture and other Heads to oversee timely production of management accounts, the contracts register, People & Culture statistics and other reporting information
Develop an effective dashboard that presents management information in an accessible and user-friendly way
Review and quality assure Board and Committee papers and minutes
In conjunction with the Head of Governance, manage the risk management process by following up mitigations and holding risk owners to account so that meaningful management information can be presented to the Executive Leadership Team, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and the Board in a timely manner
Manage the policy register and provide monthly management information to members of the Executive Leadership Team
Work with the appropriate members of the Central Executive Team to ensure policy documents are compliant with current legislation and best practice
The successful candidate is expected to have:
Substantial experience in a governance and/or Board/Committee support role within a UK charity
Knowledge of regulatory compliance and best practice in UK charity governance
Experience of advising Chairs, Boards, Committees and senior staff on governance matters
Experience of supporting risk management functions and of producing and maintaining a risk register
Excellent written communications skills and experience of drafting Board/Committee papers and minutes
Strong digital literacy and IT skills with a track record of developing and improving systems and processes
Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.
Our organization is built on four core values: Collaboration: Underpins everting we do, locally and globally. Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format. Integrity: Independent and transparent. Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.
You can expect:
An opportunity to truly impact health globally
A flexible work environment which includes remote-first working (although you will be required to attend in person meetings from time to time, depending on your location and the needs of the role)
An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences
Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values. We are a Disability Confident Employer which means that applications from candidates who share they are disabled, and who meet the criteria for the role, will be guaranteed an interview.
How to apply
For further information on the role and how to apply, please click here.
The deadline to receive your internal application is 29 April 2026.
The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples
Please read the Candidate Guide which gives you more information about our employee benefits and outlines what you can expect from the application process
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