Head of Planning & Governance

Job summary

We are looking for a full-time Head of Planning and Governance.

The Head of Planning and Governance is responsible for a set of key corporate functions. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Chair, and AGC Chair, the post holder will develop, implement, and measure performance against corporate strategy, the corporate plan, and annual business plans. They will take responsibility for corporate oversight of project and programme management and the running of the Chair and Chief Executive's Office function as well as ensuring robust risk management arrangements. The Head of Planning and Governance will ensure that corporate decisions are taken and implemented effectively, and that board and committee business is conducted in accordance with standing orders.

Interviews are expected to take place 28/29 November via Teams.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is proactive, can work effectively as part of a team, and who has good written and verbal communication skills including an ability to handle sensitive patient enquiries. You should be a credible leader and be able to effectively manage a broad portfolio of responsibilities, with proven experience in overseeing organisational governance, including corporate decision-making and performance management. You should be an excellent team leader and be able to build strong and supportive working relationships with senior leaders. You should also have the skills required to develop and oversee the HFEA's business plan, using effective project and programme management approaches to ensure the delivery of the plan through the effective use of the HFEA's resources and robust management of risk across the organisation.

Given the varied nature of this role, good time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively is key. Applicants should also be aware that the HFEA follows the Government Functional Standards.

About us

The HFEA is the UK's independent regulator overseeing safe and appropriate practice in infertility treatment and embryo research. We license and monitor clinics carrying out IVF, donor insemination, and human embryo research.

This post is offered as either office-based (in which case you will need to attend the office at least one day per week) or home-based (in which case office attendance will be specified by your line manager based on business need). Our office is in Stratford, east London, in attractive new premises on the edge of the Olympic Park, alongside several other health Arms Length Bodies. In addition to flexibility and hybrid working, we offer generous annual leave and pension arrangements.

The HFEA is a member of the Disability Confident Charter. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive working environment that is free from any form of discrimination. We recognise that there are real benefits of having a diverse community of staff and aim for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society. Additionally, we adopt a culture that hopes to attract and retain talented individuals that want to work with us.

Job responsibilities

The Head of Planning and Governance is responsible for a set of key corporate functions. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Chair, and AGC Chair, the post holder will develop, implement, and measure performance against corporate strategy, the corporate plan, and annual business plans. They will take responsibility for corporate oversight of project and programme management and the running of the Chair and Chief Executive's Office function as well as ensuring robust risk management arrangements. The Head of Planning and Governance will ensure that corporate decisions are taken and implemented effectively, and that board and committee business is conducted in accordance with standing orders.

Strategic planning

1. Lead on the development of organisational strategy, a three-year corporate plan (required by our framework agreement with our DHSC sponsors) and annual business plans, in liaison with the Authority, SMT, and the Corporate Management Group, ensuring business planning and operational delivery arrangements are agreed and in place on an annual basis. This will include facilitating conversations among teams and managers about workflow, priorities, and interdependencies, and having oversight of the annual business planning process, leading prioritisation discussions as needed and line managing the Risk and Business Planning Manager.


2. Take overall responsibility for corporate governance and decision-making through effective board and external advisor governance, and the recruitment, onboarding, and development of members as needed, including the line management and development of the Board Governance Manager (BGM).


3. Take overall responsibility for ensuring up-to-date and appropriate governance policies and practices are in place, including the running of Authority and AGC meetings and Standing Orders, ensuring that annual reviews of Standing Orders and committee effectiveness take place.


4. Oversee the flow of work through the Authority, Corporate Management Group (CMG), and Project Assurance Group (PAG), ensuring that effective and timely decision-making is taking place, and that our strategy and business plans are being delivered through the activities that come before members or staff groups for consideration.


5. This will include oversight of the arrangements for board and committee agendas and meetings, such as scheduling, agenda planning, bundling and postings, minute-taking, report production etc., working with the BGM, and leading on the shaping of future Board agendas, alongside SMT.


6. Attendance at and reporting to AGC as required by agendas and current work relating to planning, risk, performance, and recent internal audits. This may also involve participation in or running of training for members from time to time.


7. Take overall responsibility for the timely recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of external members and panels, and dealing with the onboarding and induction of newly recruited Authority members.


8. Oversight of the Chair and CEO's office function, ensuring the Chair and Chief Executive have the administrative support they need.


9. Lead and coordinate the organisation's response to external reviews and responses to Cabinet Office and Department requests for returns.

Performance measurement

1. Take overall responsibility for corporate performance reporting, ensuring that the HFEA has in place a performance scorecard, reporting arrangements, and that both performance and reporting accuracy are both regularly reviewed and issues highlighted to SMT and the board. This will involve working closely with the RBPM and Corporate Performance Officer and considering ways of improving and updating our KPIs in line with current HFEA work and other organisations' current practices.


2. Take overall responsibility for the HFEA's project management methodology, ensuring that the Project Assurance Group (PAG), project managers, and sponsors are well supported and that tools and processes are maintained and improved over time. This will include working with the RBPM and the Project Support Officer (PSO) to identify and resolve issues and blockages with current projects, escalating to SMT as needed.


3. Leadership of the risk management function, ensuring we have in place a sound and up-to-date risk strategy and associated documentation, and liaising and networking with the DHSC and other ALBs as needed. This will include working with and advising the RBPM to ensure ongoing management of risks and reporting to SMT, the Audit and Governance Committee (AGC), and CMG on strategic and operational risk registers, the risk strategy, and the internal incident system. The Head will also be responsible for leading a complete triennial review of the strategic risk register in response to each new strategy.


4. Lead on the setting of internal audit parameters for GIAA audits of areas of the team's work, and take responsibility for reviewing internal audit reports and agreeing management actions and required evidence, in collaboration with the relevant Manager.

General management

1. Manage the planning and governance team's overall work, direction, staff, and budgets.


2. Operate as an effective member of the Finance and Planning leadership team.


3. Advise the Chair and Chief Executive on matters relating to planning, strategy, performance, and governance, risk as needed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent

Knowledge & skills

Essential

• Specialised knowledge in at least three of the following areas:
• Strategy and business planning approaches
• Corporate governance good practice
• Risk management and maintaining a risk register
• Performance monitoring and reporting against key performance indicators
• Project and programme management methodologies

Desirable

• Formal training in risk management techniques and principles
• Formal training in performance measurement and/or the development of key performance indicators
• Formal PRINCE and/or Agile qualification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of managing and developing teams
• Experience of managing budgets
• Experience of managing a corporate planning and/or strategy process
• Experience of managing a board or committee
• Experience of producing high-quality formal reports for both senior and internal audiences
• Experience of identifying and managing risk
• Experience of managing and/or sponsoring projects using PRINCE and/or Agile project management techniques
• Experience of line managing and developing staff

Desirable

• Experience of presenting reports to senior audiences in a formal setting
• Experience of creating a business plan
• Experience of monitoring corporate performance using key performance indicators
• Experience of developing measurable key performance indicators
• Experience of training staff
• Experience of participating in and responding to internal audits
• Prior experience of managing and updating Standing Orders or an equivalent

Managing work

Essential

• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively between multiple activities, delegating as required
• Ability to influence and seek cooperation from colleagues

Employer details

Employer name

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
Address

2nd Floor
2 Redman Place
London
E20 1JQ
Employer's website