Head of Governance & Legal - Disused Tips Authority

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. For full-time employees, this will typically be 2-3 days per week, with attendance requirements adjusted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees. As a national organisation serving communities across Wales, the DTA will also establish a number of regional hubs and collaboration spaces. Details of these locations are currently being developed and will be confirmed ahead of the Authority becoming operational. Merthyr Tydfil will remain the Authority's headquarters Purpose of Role - Help build the governance and integrity behind one of Wales' newest public bodies. This is an exciting opportunity to play a strategic leadership role in one of Wales' newest public organisations. The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high-profile, safety-critical environment, our success will depend not only on effective operational delivery, but on governance arrangements that enable confident decision-making, organisational accountability and public trust. As Head of Governance & Legal, you will play a critical leadership role in developing the Authority's governance and legal capability. You'll ensure the organisation operates lawfully, transparently and with integrity while creating governance arrangements that enable effective decision-making, clear accountability and strong public confidence. This is a broad strategic leadership role. Alongside leading the Authority's governance and legal functions, you'll shape governance frameworks, Board processes, legal compliance arrangements and organisational policies that support the Board's strategic vision and Corporate Plan. Beyond the organisation itself, you will play a pivotal role in developing the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence in public sector governance and organisational accountability. Working with Welsh Government, regulators, oversight bodies and professional institutions, you will help strengthen governance capability, share best practice and contribute to the continued development of governance across Wales' public sector. The role is both inward and outward facing:

• Internally, you will create governance arrangements that provide clarity, confidence and accountability, enabling leaders and colleagues to make informed decisions within proportionate governance frameworks.
• Externally, you will build trusted relationships with Welsh Government, regulators, auditors and other partners, demonstrating the Authority's commitment to transparency, integrity and effective public administration.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the governance foundations of a new national organisation, helping establish the Disused Tips Authority as a trusted, accountable and well-governed public body recognised for the quality of its leadership, decision-making and organisational integrity. Important: The Disused Tips Authority for Wales will be established as an independent Welsh Public Body and separate legal entity on 1 April 2027. Until then, these roles will be hosted by the Welsh Government, providing a unique opportunity to help create and shape a new national organisation from the outset. Successful candidates will initially be employed by the Welsh Government before transferring to the Disused Tips Authority when it becomes operational on 1 April 2027, with continuity of employment maintained throughout. Key Responsibilities - Building effective governance
• You'll lead the development and continuous improvement of the Authority's governance framework, ensuring governance arrangements are proportionate, transparent and support confident organisational decision-making.
• You'll establish governance policies, delegations and decision-making processes that provide clarity, accountability and consistency across the organisation.
Supporting the Board and Executive
• You'll lead the Authority's Board and committee governance arrangements, ensuring the Chair, Board, Chief Executive and Executive Team receive high-quality governance support, enabling effective oversight, strategic decision-making and organisational leadership.
• You'll oversee forward planning, governance processes and corporate decision-making arrangements, ensuring governance enables delivery rather than becoming an administrative burden.
Leading legal compliance
• You'll ensure the Authority operates lawfully and in accordance with its statutory responsibilities, leading legal compliance arrangements and providing expert advice on governance, public law and corporate obligations.
• You'll oversee compliance with legislation and corporate requirements, including information governance, Freedom of Information, data protection and wider public authority responsibilities.
Strengthening organisational accountability
• You'll develop governance arrangements that support organisational accountability, transparency and continuous improvement.
• You'll oversee corporate health and safety governance, ensuring appropriate frameworks, reporting and assurance arrangements are embedded across the organisation and support a safe working environment.
• You'll promote a culture where governance supports confident leadership, responsible decision-making and continuous organisational learning.
Supporting strategic deliver
• You'll ensure governance, legal compliance and corporate policies are fully aligned to the Authority's Corporate Plan and organisational priorities, translating strategic ambition into practical governance arrangements that support organisational success.
Developing governance capability
• You'll lead the development of governance policies, standards and professional practice that promote consistency, integrity and continuous improvement across the Authority.
• You'll help establish the Authority as a recognised centre of excellence by strengthening governance capability, promoting ethical leadership and sharing best practice across the wider public sector.
Working across the system
• You'll build trusted relationships with Welsh Government, regulators, auditors, oversight bodies and professional partners, recognising that effective governance depends upon collaboration, openness and constructive challenge.
• You'll represent the Authority on governance and legal matters, promoting confidence in the organisation's governance arrangements and public service values.
Leading a high-performing function
• You'll build and lead a professional Governance & Legal function, creating an environment where colleagues develop their expertise, provide high-quality advice and support effective organisational leadership.
• You'll champion continuous professional development, high standards and a culture of integrity, accountability and public service.
Successful candidates would have membership of a relevant professional body and experience of governance, legal or corporate compliance within complex or regulated organisations. Technical Capabilities Important: The technical capabilities listed below will be assessed throughout the selection process. Please refer to these capabilities when preparing your application and provide evidence of how you meet them through your qualifications, skills and experience. Strategic Governance Leadership
• Developing and implementing governance frameworks that support organisational priorities, statutory responsibilities and effective public administration.
• Translating governance principles into practical arrangements that enable confident organisational decision-making.
Corporate Governance & Legal Compliance
• Leading governance and legal compliance functions within complex public sector or regulated organisations.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, public authority requirements and recognised standards of good governance.
• Developing governance policies, delegations and decision-making frameworks that promote organisational integrity and accountability.
Board & Executive Support
• Leading Board and committee governance, supporting effective decision-making, scrutiny and organisational oversight.
• Providing high-quality governance advice to Boards, senior leaders and committees within complex governance environments.
Public Sector Accountability & Decision-Making
• Promoting transparency, ethical leadership and effective public administration.
• Supporting organisational accountability through proportionate governance, clear delegations and robust decision-making processes.
• Understanding the legislative and constitutional framework within which Welsh public bodies operate.
Partnership Working & External Relationships
• Building trusted relationships with Welsh Government, regulators, auditors, oversight bodies and external partners.
• Representing the organisation confidently in governance, legal and corporate matters.
• Promoting collaboration, openness and constructive engagement across the wider public sector.
Leadership & Team Development
• Leading and developing high-performing governance and legal teams.
• Creating an inclusive culture that promotes professional excellence, continuous learning and organisational improvement.
• Building governance capability and strengthening professional practice across the organisation.
Communication & Professional Judgement
• Communicating complex governance and legal issues clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Providing balanced, evidence-based advice that supports confident decision-making by senior leaders and Boards.
• Exercising sound judgement when balancing governance requirements, organisational priorities and public accountability.
  
  The Welsh Government is the devolved Government for Wales. We are working to help improve the lives of people in Wales and make our nation a better place in which to live and work.
The Welsh Government consists of:
• The First Minister
• Welsh Ministers
• The Counsel General
• Deputy Ministers
They are supported by civil servants who work across devolved areas that include key areas of public life such as health, education and the environment. We aim to be open and responsive to the needs of citizens and communities and are one of the few governments in the world that publishes Cabinet minutes and papers. Responsibility for most key areas of public life including health, education and environment is devolved. With offices across Wales, including Merthyr Tydfil, Aberystwyth and Llandudno Junction, we are getting closer to the people we serve.