Job Description

Details

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Reference number

437124

Salary

45,974 - 54,431
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Loan

Secondment

Length of employment

Permanent or available as a loan or secondment for up to 2 years.

Business area

WRA - Chief Executive's Office

Type of role

Governance

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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We encourage flexible and hybrid working but although this role can be based anywhere, some office attendance is required depending on business need. This role is based in Cardiff office.

About the job

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Job summary

We're responsible for Land Transaction Tax and Landfill Disposals Tax. Our work raises revenue to support public services, like the NHS and schools, in communities across Wales. But that's not all, we're also involved with and support future tax design for Wales.

Join a place with purpose

You'll join a team of 100+ talented people from across 14 different professions. Our culture is best described as innovative, collaborative and kind. By working together, we'll deliver a fair tax system for Wales.

Our people

You'll be working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experience. From Operations, Policy, Digital and Data, HR, Communications to Finance - there's a place for you in our friendly team.

You'll be our greatest asset

You'll be joining an inclusive organisation and be part of a team where you can thrive, be rewarded and heard.


We're recognised as one of the top organisations for people engagement in the Civil Service People Survey. Inclusion and fairness are one of our strongest areas, as well as pay and benefits - our People Survey results say it all!


We're also recognised for being innovative and a digital, 'cloud-based' organisation that supports hybrid and flexible working enabling a great work-life balance.


More about working for us, our roles and our Corporate Plan 2025 - 2028

Job description

Working directly to the Chief of Staff within the Chief Executive's Private Office, of 5 members of staff, the Governance Manager will play an important role in managing the WRA Board and executive leadership groups. Working very closely with the WRA Chair and Chief Executive, the Governance Manager will lead on the efficient running of the secretariat function, allowing the Board and executive committees to carry out their role and responsibilities.


The Governance Manager will be highly organised and self motivated, able to keep up to date on various issues and make connections between them. Confident to work directly with senior members of staff and Board members, and able to handle sensitive and nuanced information appropriately.


A key contact for the Chair and Non-Executive members and senior leadership team, the Governance Manager will be a confident and clear communicator, comfortable being both firm and flexible in response to business needs. Regularly pulling together and drafting documentation, the Governance Manager should be comfortable writing for a range of audiences and purposes.


An understanding and interest in, and ability to understand and convey, how an organisations governance operates is an important aspect of this role.


The Chief Executive's Private Office plays a key part in supporting the Chief Executive and wider WRA in achieving its strategic priorities. We are looking for individuals who enjoy being in a central, cross cutting team.


"This is a great opportunity to work directly with the WRA Board, Chair, Chief Executive and senior team. You will get insight and involvement in a range of strategic questions and organisational issues. We are looking for someone who enjoys building strong working relationships and can gain an understanding of priorities."

Jo Ryder, Chief of Staff

Candidate information session

If this seems like a role you'd be interested in, join us for our virtual Candidate Information Sessions. You'll meet the Line Manager, get an overview of the role as well a feeling for what it's like working at the WRA. We'll also talk through the benefits and L&D opportunities we offer, as well as application tips.

Register here for 18 November 2025 @ 12.30-13.00pm:

Business Wales Events Finder - Candidate Information Session - Governance Manager

Register here 18 November 2025 @ 4.00-4.30pm:

Business Wales Events Finder - Candidate Information Session - Governance Manager

Person specification

The Governance Manager enables the smooth running of the WRA Board and Tim Arwain (leadership team) by:

Developing and maintaining a forward work plan, helping to keep momentum on discussions and decisions Agreeing agenda items, commissioning and quality assuring papers, working with colleagues to ensure deadlines are met, organising logistics of meetings, drafting accurate minutes Advising on sequencing of discissions and decisions, and coordinating this activity across committees and groups Accurately recording board and committee activity, papers, actions and Identifying key information and sharing with the relevant groups Working on strategy days and team development Actively seeking and embedding improvements to ways of working Supporting members and attendees - providing advice and guidance on processes and presentation of papers

Specifically in relation to the WRA Board the Governance Manager works on:

Ministerial Appointments of new non executive members (incl Chairperson), when required Supporting the Chair with Performance Management of Non Executive board members Election process and induction of a Staff Elected Board member Board Associate roles for aspiring board members Policies relating to Board members, for example travel and subsistence Drafting papers on behalf of the Chair Keeping board documentation up to date and relevant, for example Terms of Reference and Standing Orders Making sure Board members are aware of the governance arrangements and legislative requirements they are expected to follow and highlight any conflicts as and when Act as first point of contact to all non-Executive board members, dealing with any queries and supporting and enabling them to carry out their role Line Management of one EO Private Office Support Work across the Private office team to support the delivery of all its objectives Support the Chief of Staff with advice on and the maintenance of internal governance structures Utilise AI tools to maximise efficiency

Languages

We've undertaken an objective assessment of the Welsh language skills needed to undertake the duties of this role. For this role:


Welsh skills are not essential. This means that you do not need Welsh language skills to undertake this role and these skills won't be assessed during the recruitment process. However, we actively encourage all staff to learn or improve their Welsh language skills and offer a range of opportunities to suit everyone.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 45,974, Welsh Revenue Authority contributes 13,318 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.31 days annual leave + Bank holidays, and 2 Privilege days Flexible and hybrid working Generous employer pension schemes with a contribution of upto 28.97% Tusker car scheme Vivup Cycle2Work and advances of salary for season Travel Tickets Lifestyle Benefits offering discounts on shopping, restaurants and entertainment Wellbeing hour each week Access to subsidised sports groups Generous family-friendly leave policies Free Welsh language courses and time off to learn Access to a range of staff diversity networks Free counselling and support service via our Vivup Employee Assistance Programme and Your Care Health platform A thriving culture that's described as innovative, collaborative and kind.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

We'll always be clear about how we assess your application, at each stage of the process. This will usually include:


Assessment of your Application Form and CV against the relevant Success Criteria A panel interview (if you're successful at the initial sift stage) If any additional assessments are needed for this role, such as a test or presentation at interview, we'll let you know in advance. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted using the lead behaviour,

Working together

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Leader so we'll ask you if you need any adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process. So that we can support you in a way that works for you, we'll offer a pre-interview accessibility chat to anyone that declares a disability or needs any adjustments. This will take place with someone who is independent of the recruitment process and you won't be placed at any disadvantage as a result of needing adjustments.


Whilst the use of Generative AI (GenAI) isn't prohibited, it must be used carefully and your application must be factually accurate. It should be noted that presenting ideas and experience generated by artificial intelligence as your own, may be considered plagiarism.


A reserve list may be held for this role for applicants that have scored above the appointable threshold at interview. This means that if a similar vacancy becomes available in the next 12 months we may contact you to offer you the role.

Success criteria

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Behaviours

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Seeing the big picture

Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area.



Yes



Yes

Working together

Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Collaborate with these to share information, resources and support. Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs.



Yes



Yes

Managing a quality service

Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales. Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers' needs and gives value for money. Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently.



No



Yes

Strengths

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Influencer

You influence others, you articulate the rationale to gain their agreement.



No



Yes

Networker

You proactively create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation. You identify connections and reach out to bring people together.



No



Yes

Precise

You are detail-focussed, you ensure everything is accurate and error free.



No



Yes

Experience

Criteria

Assessed in personal statement and CV

Assessed during interview or assessment

Experience of working in (or closely with) a Secretariat or governance function



Yes



No



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : WRA Recruitment Team Email : Recruitment@wra.gov.wales Telephone : 03000254000
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Recruitment team

Email : Recruitment@wra.gov.wales

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. See the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles where this is set out.


If you feel your application has not been treated in line with the recruitment principles, and you wish to complain, you should contact the Head of HR.


Email: hr@wra.gov.wales


If you're not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.