UK Ministry of Defence
CSM - Head of Governance
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Bristol, London
Job Summary
Are you ready to support one of the most ambitious transformation programmes in Defence? Corporate Services underpin the daily operations of 250,000 people across Defence. From payroll to procurement, these services are critical to mission success. MOD is modernising HR, Finance, and Commercial services through policy, process, organisational, data, and systems transformation, aligned with the Government Shared Services Strategy. More information on the Shared Services agenda can be found through this link: A Shared Services Strategy for Government - GOV.UK.
Our Ambition Is To:
- Enhance user experience through simplified processes, intuitive systems, and responsive support.
- Enable data-driven decision-making using Oracle ERP, HCM, and EPM technologies, integrated analytics, and AI.
- Improve productivity and efficiency by automating transactions, optimising shared service centres, and reducing costs for reinvestment into frontline Defence.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Head of Governance to support the Corporate Services Modernisation (CSM) Programme, a top strategic priority for Defence.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Due to the nature of the role, part-time and job-share arrangements may be considered, subject to the requirement that full-time hours are fully covered (or business needs are met).
Job Description
The Head of Governance builds, owns, and continuously improves the governance management framework for the Corporate Services Modernisation programme. The role designs the framework through which CSM is governed, brings the programme into a single coherent governance model, owns the governance audit function, and manages governance integration with the wider Defence and government landscape.
The role reports to the Head of Governance, Assurance and PMO and line manages the Secretariat and Board Manager. It assures the secretariat function but does not run the secretariat itself: that delivery sits with the SEO.
Key Responsibilities:
Governance management framework
- Build, develop, implement, and maintain the CSM governance management framework, ensuring it is fit for purpose and evolves with the programme's needs and stages. (Governance and Reporting Manager 4; GovS 002 section 4.1)
- Bring the CSM programme into a single coherent governance model, developing governance arrangements for CSM Programme Board and Sponsor Group. (Governance and Reporting Manager 4)
- Manage board operating rhythms, terms of reference, decision rights, escalation routes, and forward planning across all CSM governance fora. (Governance and Reporting Manager 4; GovS 002 section 5.2)
- Understand and communicate the organisation's governance pathways, driving appropriate use of boards and building governance into the programme lifecycle. (Governance and Reporting Manager 4)
Governance audit and assurance of the secretariat
- Manage the governance audit function, ensuring governance arrangements are operating as intended and meeting MOD, Cabinet Office, and government standards. (GovS 002 section 4.1)
- Assure the secretariat function delivered by the Secretariat and Board Manager, ensuring the audit trail of actions and decisions is sound. (GovS 002 section 4.3)
- Ensure internal and external reviews, audits, and compliance checks are escalated and signed off appropriately through boards. (GovS 002 section 4.2)
Wider integration
- Manage governance integration with other PMOs across wider Defence and cross-government governance structures, ensuring CSM governance aligns with the wider landscape. (Portfolio Manager 2)
- Engage senior stakeholders across Defence, wider government, and delivery partners to ensure governance arrangements are understood and embedded. (Portfolio Manager 2)
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Risk and issues in governance
- Ensure risks and issues are an integral part of the governance cycle and that boards give adequate time to key risks and issues. (Governance and Reporting Manager 4)
Knowledge and information management
- Set knowledge and information processes for governance that conform to organisational standards, quality assure adherence, and disseminate lessons learned. (Governance and Reporting Manager 4; GovS 002 section 8.10)
Continuous improvement
- Regularly review and improve governance processes, drawing on feedback, audit findings, and best practice, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability. (Governance and Reporting Manager 4)
Line management
- Line manage and develop the Secretariat and Board Manager, providing coaching, support, and professional development. (Portfolio Manager 2)
Boundaries
The role owns the governance framework but does not own the following:
- Secretariat delivery: agendas, paper commissioning, minute drafting, and action logging are run by the Secretariat and Board Manager. This role assures that function and approves its outputs.
- Assurance function and reporting regime: owned by the Assurance Manager and the Head of Governance, Assurance, and PMO. This role ensures governance and assurance interlock.
- Business case, finance, and benefits: owned by the Deputy Director and the finance and benefits functions.
Person specification
Essential:
- Significant experience in governance or portfolio and programme management in a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrable experience designing and owning a governance framework, including boards, terms of reference, and decision rights.
- Strong understanding of risk, assurance, and compliance frameworks, and of GovS 002.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to summarise complex issues for senior audiences.
- Proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, including across organisational boundaries.
- Experience leading and developing staff.
Desirable:
- Experience in Defence, government, or large-scale transformation programmes.
- Relevant professional qualifications, such as APM, PRINCE2, Managing Successful Programmes, Management of Portfolios, or audit and assurance certifications.
Technical Competencies:
Proficiency scale: A = Awareness, W = Working, P = Practitioner, E = Expert. Levels reflect the Governance and Reporting Manager 4 profile.
| Competency | PDCF role family | Required Level |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Governance and Reporting Manager 4 | P |
| Assurance | Governance and Reporting Manager 4 | P |
| Frameworks and methodologies | Governance and Reporting Manager 4 | P |
| Risk and issue management | Governance and Reporting Manager 4 | W |
| Stakeholder engagement | Governance and Reporting Manager 4 / Portfolio Manager 2 | W-P |
| Knowledge management | Governance and Reporting Manager 4 | W |
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Alongside your salary of £61,630, the Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
FTA:
The CSM portfolio is recruiting to two-year FTAs, with the possibility of extension subject to business requirements and approvals.
If you are a permanent MOD civil servant and are successful in securing an advertised Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA), it may be possible to agree a Temporary Transfer, subject to the agreement of your current MOD business area. Where a Temporary Transfer is agreed and the post is at a higher grade, any promotion will be temporary, and you will return to your substantive grade at the end of the Temporary Transfer.
Existing Civil Servants from outside MOD and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant, including arrangements regarding grade on return.
Hybrid Working
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay-related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location