Head of Governance and Assurance

2026-10-11T18:55:50

Livingston

West Lothian

GB

EH54 6

Work From Home

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)

2026-11-10T12:58:00.77

Job Description

About the Team:

SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is a specialist higher education institution delivering tertiary education, research and consultancy.

We currently operate our main Higher and Further education activities from five campuses across Scotland - Aberdeen, Barony, Edinburgh, Elmwood, and Oatridge. SRUC employs approximately 1,200 staff operating from five campuses, eight farms, 25 consulting offices, six research centres and eight veterinary surveillance centres located primarily across Scotland.

The Opportunity:

The Head of Governance & Assurance is SRUC's senior lead for governance, assurance and institutional compliance, providing expert advice and constructive challenge to the Board, Chair, Principal, Executive Leadership Team and senior leaders.

The role is responsible for ensuring effective governance, regulatory and assurance frameworks are in place to support delivery of SRUC's strategic objectives, manage organisational risk and provide confidence that statutory and regulatory obligations are being met.

Acting as a trusted adviser and organisational connector, the post-holder promotes high standards of accountability, transparency and stewardship while supporting effective decision-making, organisational agility and continuous improvement across SRUC.

Reporting directly to the Director of Strategy, Governance and Engagement, the role will include the following responsibilities:

Governance Leadership and Advisory

Board and Committee Governance

Assurance, Compliance and Risk

Information Governance and Stakeholder Management

Leadership and Continuous Improvement - including line management.

Minimum Qualifications and experience required:

You should be educated to SCQF Level 9 or above (Degree-level qualification in a related discipline) or possess equivalent professional experience.

You should possess proven significant experience in a senior governance, assurance, compliance, risk or company secretarial role within a complex organisation with experience advising Boards, Committees and Executive teams on governance, regulatory, risk and strategic matters. Experience developing and embedding governance, assurance, compliance or risk management frameworks is also essential.

Full details of the requirements for this role can be found in the Job Particulars document which you should read before applying for this role.

Why work for SRUC?

Generous annual leave

Enhanced pension contributions

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted RAC Membership

Generous family leave

Flexible working patterns

Hybrid working arrangements (in some areas)

Tailored investment in your learning and development

How to Apply:

Please read the Job Particulars document before applying for this role, and complete an online application form by pressing "Apply" or visiting Jobs at SRUC.

SRUC Leading the way in Agricultural and Rural Research, Education & Consultancy.

SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the "Disability Confident Employer" symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter.

SRUC. A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No SC103046

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You should be Educated to SCQF Level 9 or above (Degree-level qualification in a related discipline) or possess equivalent professional experience.
You should possess proven significant experience in a senior governance, assurance, compliance, risk or company secretarial role within a complex organisation with experience advising Boards, Committees and Executive teams on governance, regulatory, risk and strategic matters. Experience developing and embedding governance, assurance, compliance or risk management frameworks is also essential.

SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is a specialist higher education institution delivering tertiary education, research and consultancy.
We currently operate our main Higher and Further education activities from five campuses across Scotland - Aberdeen, Barony, Edinburgh, Elmwood, and Oatridge. SRUC employs approximately 1,200 staff operating from five campuses, eight farms, 25 consulting offices, six research centres and eight veterinary surveillance centres located primarily across Scotland.
The Opportunity:
The Head of Governance & Assurance is SRUC's senior lead for governance, assurance and institutional compliance, providing expert advice and constructive challenge to the Board, Chair, Principal, Executive Leadership Team and senior leaders.
The role is responsible for ensuring effective governance, regulatory and assurance frameworks are in place to support delivery of SRUC's strategic objectives, manage organisational risk and provide confidence that statutory and regulatory obligations are being met.
Acting as a trusted adviser and organisational connector, the post-holder promotes high standards of accountability, transparency and stewardship while supporting effective decision-making, organisational agility and continuous improvement across SRUC.
Reporting directly to the Director of Strategy, Governance and Engagement, the role will include the following reposnibilities:
Governance Leadership and Advisory
Board and Committee Governance
Assurance, Compliance and Risk
Information Governance and Stakeholder Management
Leadership and Continuous Improvement - including line management., SRUC Leading the way in Agricultural and Rural Research, Education & Consultancy.
SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the "Disability Confident Employer" symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter.
SRUC. A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No SC103046

Generous annual leave
Enhanced pension contributions
Cycle to work scheme
Discounted RAC Membership
Generous family leave
Flexible working patterns
Hybrid working arrangements (in some areas)
Tailored investment in your learning and development

1 Scotland's Rural College jobs in Scotland