National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Governance Manager
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About the Role
Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Governance Manager. As a senior member of the PMO, you will own the design, integration, and continuous improvement of the programme's governance, assurance, and reporting arrangements.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure.
Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems (such as GPS) – which are increasingly vulnerable to disruption from solar storms, jamming, and spoofing. This will underpin essential services, including:
- Telecommunications
- Online banking
- Emergency response
- Transport networks
- Wider digital and data-driven operations
Together, these services form the backbone of modern society - and your leadership will help ensure they remain secure, reliable, and robust even if global navigation satellite systems fail.
As our Governance Manager, you will ensure that decision-making across the National Timing Centre Delivery Programme is well informed, well evidenced, and properly controlled, and that our governance and reporting are robust, aligned to GMPP standards, and meet the expectations of external stakeholders.
This is a role where independent, data-driven judgement matters. You will provide honest, evidence-based assessments of programme performance to senior decision-makers, take a strategic view across the programme to spot cross-cutting issues early, and act as a trusted, challenging voice in the room when it counts. You will also play a role in developing governance and controls capability across the wider PMO community.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leading the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the programme's governance, assurance, and reporting frameworks
- Providing independent, strategic analysis and advice on delivery confidence, risk exposure, and mitigations to senior decision-makers
- Overseeing governance and performance reporting to ensure it aligns with GMPP standards and external stakeholder requirements
- Ensuring honest, data-driven assessments of programme performance are consistently applied and clearly communicated
- Establishing and maintaining programme boards, terms of reference, and escalation routes appropriate to programme complexity
- Building strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders inside and outside NPL to support effective decision-making and transparent reporting
- Championing delivery best practice and driving a culture of continuous improvement across the PMO
- Collaborating across organizational and functional boundaries (e.g., finance, commercial, risk, technical) to keep programme controls integrated and effective
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Please note, this role is known internally as ‘Senior Programme Controller’.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have the following skills, experience, and qualifications:
Essential:
- Experience of governance and assurance on complex, high-value programmes, ideally within the Government Major Projects Portfolio.
- You combine strong technical grounding with the strategic awareness and judgement to influence senior decision-makers.
- You're comfortable communicating complex information clearly and challenging constructively when it matters.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency, and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.
However, to work in this role in the Time and Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
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About Us
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering, and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview
NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled, and black, Asian, and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity. As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.
We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits, and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people, and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.
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