Governance and Legal Operations Manager

We are currently recruiting a Governance and Legal Operations Manager to join our Legal, Ethics & Compliance team. 

This is a remote, permanent position open to candidates based in the UK. The role will be full-time, offering a salary of circa. £40k per annum. 

At Relief International, we are committed to building a representative, inclusive and authentic workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates from minoritized backgrounds and those who bring lived experience of the contexts in which we work. 

This role is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks.  

About Relief International 

Relief International is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Our teams work across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, delivering Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience. We work alongside local actors to deliver safe, inclusive and evidence-based programmes that reach those most in need.  

About the Opportunity 

This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in the governance and legal operations of a global humanitarian organisation. 

The Governance and Legal Operations Manager leads Relief International's corporate secretariat function and is responsible for ensuring the effective governance of the three entities that make up the Relief International network in the United States, United Kingdom and France. Working closely with the Chief Legal, Ethics & Compliance Officer, executive leadership and board members, you will ensure governance processes remain compliant, efficient and aligned across the organisation.  

You will oversee board and committee governance, statutory compliance, senior leadership governance processes and legal operations systems, while also supporting compliance initiatives and legal risk management. This highly visible role requires exceptional organisation, discretion and stakeholder management skills, with regular interaction with board members, senior leaders and colleagues across multiple countries and time zones.

The successful candidate will help strengthen organisational accountability, support effective decision-making and ensure Relief International maintains the highest standards of governance and compliance across its global operations.  

Your Responsibilities 

This role includes the following responsibilities. 

• Lead the governance processes for Relief International's boards, committees and network-level governance bodies, ensuring meetings are well managed, compliant and effectively documented.  
• Manage governance calendars, board papers, resolutions, minutes, action logs and board member engagement across the three RI entities.  
• Coordinate Senior Leadership Team governance processes, including agendas, decision tracking, action management and escalation of matters requiring board approval.  
• Oversee statutory and regulatory compliance requirements across the US, UK and French entities, ensuring accurate and timely filings and governance records.  
• Manage legal operations systems, including powers of attorney, delegations of authority, signatory registers, entity registrations and legal records management.  
• Lead Relief International's annual conflict-of-interest declaration process and maintain governance compliance registers.  
• Conduct legal and compliance research on a range of topics including data protection, sanctions, safeguarding, anti-bribery and anti-money laundering requirements.  
• Develop governance tools, guidance materials and awareness resources that strengthen governance and compliance practices across the organisation.  

About You 

You will bring the following experience and skills. 

• Experience working in governance, legal operations, compliance, corporate secretariat, paralegal or related legal administration roles.  
• Strong experience supporting boards, committees and senior leadership teams, including preparation of governance documentation and minute-taking.  
• Demonstrated understanding of governance, regulatory and compliance issues relevant to non-profit organisations, including conflicts of interest, sanctions, anti-bribery and data protection.  
• Excellent organisational, project management and administrative skills, with exceptional attention to detail and quality assurance.  
• Strong judgement, integrity and discretion when handling confidential board, legal and executive matters.  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work across international time zones and consistently meet deadlines.  
• Strong written and spoken English communication skills and strong stakeholder management capabilities.  
• Experience in an international NGO, multi-entity organisation or governance-intensive environment would be highly desirable. Familiarity with governance frameworks in the US, UK or France and working knowledge of French would be an advantage.  

How To Apply 

To apply for this post, click on the Apply button in the job advert page. 

• You will be asked to upload a CV and Cover Letter. 
• The cover letter should be one page and explain why you are interested in this post with Relief International and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. 

Closing Date

October 8, 2026. 

As a humanitarian organization, Relief International is committed to the safeguarding of all those we come into contact with through our work. We are committed to the core humanitarian principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Relief International expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct. 

Recruitment to all roles in Relief International includes a criminal records self-declaration, references and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checks. 

Due to the nature of this role, we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and the role might be filled and closed before the closing date. Early applications are encouraged.