Director of Governance & Performance

1. We're seeking an experienced executive leader with a strong background in governance, organisational performance, finance, assurance or public sector accountability and a proven track record of leading complex functions within highly scrutinised, publicly accountable environments.
2. Within this context, the Director of Governance & Performance plays a pivotal role not only in ensuring strong governance and assurance, but in shaping how the organisation operates, makes decisions and holds itself to account.
3. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help establish a new national public body and leave a lasting legacy for the people of Wales.

Build Wales’s New National Regulator. Protect Communities. Leave a Lasting Legacy

Everyone in Wales deserves to feel safe from the risks posed by unstable disused tips.

Salary: £82,089 - £99,500

Location: The Authority's headquarters will be located at Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ. This will be the principal place of work and where most colleagues will come together to collaborate with one another and with stakeholders. The successful candidate will be expected to attend the office in Merthyr Tydfil regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

The Disused Tips Authority is being established under the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Act 2025 to provide national leadership for the safety, management and regulation of disused tips. As Wales' new national regulator, the Authority will deliver a consistent, evidence-led and risk-based approach to managing disused tip risk and helping to protect communities across Wales.

Within this context, the Director of Governance & Performance plays a pivotal role not only in ensuring strong governance and assurance, but in shaping how the organisation operates, makes decisions and holds itself to account.

This role is fundamental to creating and sustaining an environment where:

• Decisions are made clearly, confidently and transparently
• Performance is understood, evidenced and continuously improved
• Operational policies are developed, implemented & shared nationally
• Governance enables delivery rather than constraining it
• The organisation operates with integrity, openness and professionalism

As a member of the Executive Team, the postholder has a critical leadership role in setting tone, shaping culture and modelling behaviours, ensuring that the Authority is not only effective in what it delivers, but also trusted in how it operates.

As Director of Governance & Performance, you will provide executive leadership for the Authority's governance, operational policy, performance, finance and assurance functions, ensuring that the organisation has the frameworks, controls, insight and accountability required to fulfil its statutory responsibilities and deliver its strategic ambitions.

As one of the Authority's founding Executive Directors, you will play a leading role in establishing a new national regulator, shaping both the organisation and the systems that support effective governance, organisational performance and public confidence.

You will:

• Lead the development and operation of the Authority's governance and assurance framework.
• Ensure governance arrangements enable effective decision-making, accountability and delivery.
• Provide strategic leadership for operational policy, organisational performance and continuous improvement.
• Oversee risk management, financial stewardship and organisational assurance arrangements.
• Provide confidence and assurance to the Chief Executive, Board and Welsh Government regarding organisational performance, governance and the stewardship of public resources.

You will help create a trusted, high-performing and accountable public body that operates with integrity, transparency and professionalism and delivers lasting public value for the people of Wales.

What we're looking for:

We're seeking an experienced executive leader with a strong background in governance, organisational performance, finance, assurance or public sector accountability and a proven track record of leading complex functions within highly scrutinised, publicly accountable environments.

You will bring:

• A degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Governance, Public Administration, Business Management, Finance, Law, Organisational Development or related field) or significant equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience leading governance, performance, assurance or finance functions.
• Experience developing and operating governance and organisational assurance frameworks.
• Experience working with Boards, Ministers and senior stakeholders.
• A track record of improving organisational performance and accountability.
• Strong judgement, influencing and communication skills.
• A commitment to transparency, continuous improvement and public service.
• Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional body (for example governance, finance, audit, organisational development, risk or public administration disciplines) is desirable.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help establish a new national public body and leave a lasting legacy for the people of Wales.

For an initial confidential conversation to discuss your suitability in greater detail, please contact us.

Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve.