Governance Support Programme Manager

Organisation: Sport England
Salary: £38,100 per annum plus generous benefits
Location: Homeworking with travel to London or other Sport England offices as required
Contract type: (Full time)
Closing date: 1 March 2026
Interview date: 25 March 2026
Job Description: Fixed Term Contract – 12 months (Maternity Cover)
Salary: £38,100 per annum
Location: Homeworking (with travel to London as required)

We’re looking for a Governance Support Programme Manager to join the Governance Team at Sport England. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery and wants to help shape how governance evolves across the sector.

About the role
As Governance Support Programme Manager, you’ll support the development and delivery of governance support programmes that help funded partners meet and embed the standards set out in the A Code for Sports Governance.

You’ll play a leading role in project managing key governance initiatives including the impact assessment of the Code helping us understand how it has shaped governance practice across the sector and whether its original ambitions continue to be met.

Working closely with colleagues across Governance, EDI, Legal and Investment teams, you’ll coordinate consultation processes, manage supplier relationships, develop implementation plans and ensure projects are delivered to time and budget.

A key focus of the role will also be supporting Tier 3 partners in developing and strengthening their Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans (DIAPs), ensuring governance and inclusion are aligned in practice.

Your day-to-day work will include:

Designing and managing project plans across governance support workstreams

Acting as a key point of contact for governance support initiatives

Coordinating internal and external stakeholders, including Boards and CEOs

Supporting procurement and supplier management for commissioned work

Developing communication plans to ensure clarity and engagement

Identifying interdependencies across projects and managing risk proactively

This is a varied role offering meaningful responsibility, cross-organisational collaboration and the opportunity to influence governance standards nationally.

What we’re looking for

We’re keen to hear from people who bring sound judgement, strong relationship skills and a genuine commitment to improving governance and inclusion.

You’ll ideally have:

Experience operating in a governance, regulatory, charity or public-sector environment

Strong project and programme management skills

Experience engaging directly with senior stakeholders, including Boards and CEOs

The ability to build trusted relationships and influence effectively

Clear written and verbal communication skills, including presenting complex information accessibly

Experience or interest in equality, diversity and inclusion work

The ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing demands

You don’t need to come from a sport background. What matters most is your ability to deliver structured programmes of work and your commitment to supporting well-run, inclusive organisations.

We value curiosity, pragmatism and a collaborative mindset and you’ll be supported to grow and develop in the role.
How to apply: Apply by completing the application form and submitting your CV on our website, clearly demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role in accordance to the person specification. The recruitment process will include an assessment task and at least one interview. Interviews will take place in person at our Canary Wharf office. If you require any adjustments, we’re happy to support you. Application Deadline: Sunday 1st March 2026 Interviews: Wednesday 25th March