Director of Governance and Risk - 12 Months FTC, 30 hours per week

Director of Governance and Risk - 12 months FTC, 30 hours per week, Remote

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. The promise of a meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future.

Mary's Meals International is looking for an inspirational, experienced and impactful leader to join as Director of Governance and Risk on a 12 month fixed term contract (30 hours per week).

As Director of Governance and Risk, you will work alongside the Chief People and Governance Officer and play an active role on both the People and 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.

You will:

• Lead the 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 people, assets, and operations safe.
• Support the 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.

About you:

• 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.

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

Please see the recruitment pack below for full list of duties, requirements and further information. Salary advertised is for UK based candidates. Our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary’s Meals operates (UK, Malawi, Zambia, Liberia, Kenya, Spain, Italy, Canada and Ireland), please reach out to jobs.mmi@marymsmeals.org for more information about salaries in other locations.

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 one page) detailing why you are a great fit for this role and why you would like to work for Mary’s Meals International.