Director of Governance and Risk - 12 Months FTC (30 hours per week) -Remote

Salary: (UK) £49,884 (£62,355 FTE) plus benefits (Our pay philosophy ensures consistency across locations and salaries. The starting salary for this opportunity plus benefits depends on location of the candidate).

The role:

We are recruiting for an inspirational, experienced and impactful leader to join Mary’s Meals International as our Director of Governance & Risk on a 12-month fixed term contract (30 hours per week).

As Director of Governance & Risk, you will work alongside our Chief People & Governance Officer and play an active role on both the People & Governance Leadership Team and the Global Leadership Council. You will provide strategic leadership across risk, legal, governance, security, support services and assurance, ensuring that the organisation operates with integrity, confidence, and compliance across all countries in which we work.

You will lead talented, multi-disciplinary teams across Risk, Security, Audit, Legal and Support Services, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture and ensuring that every part of the organisation is equipped to manage risk and safeguard the people and communities we serve.

Key priorities:

• Lead our governance, risk, and assurance strategy to ensure all activity underpins organisational goals and supports Mary’s Meals’ mission.
• Embed a culture of risk awareness and compliance across the global network, enabling leaders and teams to make confident, values-driven decisions.
• Oversee legal, regulatory, and corporate governance frameworks, ensuring policies, procedures, and reporting systems are robust, up-to-date, and fit for purpose.
• Provide strategic oversight of security, crisis management, and insurance arrangements, keeping our people, assets, and operations safe.
• Support our Board and senior leadership teams, delivering clear advice and ensuring the highest standards of governance and due diligence.
• Lead, inspire, and develop high-performing teams, fostering engagement, empowerment, and continuous improvement across the directorate.
• Work in a highly collaborative way to understand organisational challenges and demonstrate impact.

We are looking for:

• Significant senior leadership experience in governance, risk, legal, or audit in an international context, ideally from an NGO or complex global organisation.
• Proven ability to operate effectively across culturally diverse, networked environments.
• Expertise in risk management is essential, but experience in legal frameworks, corporate governance, audit or security would be beneficial.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and trust at all levels of the organisation.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach combined with strategic vision and sound judgement.
• A track record of building, leading, and motivating multi-disciplinary teams in a collaborative, values-driven culture.
• A deep alignment with the mission and values of Mary’s Meals.

About us:

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. We continue to change the lives of over 3 million children who today will receive Mary’s Meals.

We believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life and believe in good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, Mary’s Meals is fully committed to a culture of safeguarding. Mary’s Meals is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work and we expect all the Mary's Meals family to share this commitment and work in the best interest of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those that are committed to our high standards join our movement.

Salary advertised is for UK based candidates, our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary’s Meals operates, please reach out to [email protected] for more information about salaries in other locations.

Additional Information:  

You will be required to register with the Protected Vulnerable Group Scheme or local equivalent before undertaking your role.

To apply:

If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please click below to send your CV and a short covering note (no more than 1 page) telling us why you are a great fit for this role and why you would like to work for Mary’s Meals International.

Recruitment Pack - Director Governance & Risk

Director of Governance & Risk

Closing date for applications is Sunday 14th December 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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