Head of Governance

WSETs purpose is to empower people through inspiring learning experiences all over the world. We offer a comprehensive suite of globally recognised qualifications covering wines spirits and sake.

We are the worlds leading provider of qualifications in wines spirits and sake delivering over 140000 exams each year to candidates in over 70 countries via our network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs).

The successful applicant will contribute to a culture of integrity empowerment dynamism and inclusivity within WSET.

Any offer of employment or your ongoing employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a thorough background check by an independent third party.

NB If you currently work for one of WSETs APPs you may not be eligible to apply for this role subject to your future career plans and the nature of that role. If you work for an APP either in a selfemployed or employed capacity and would like to discuss your eligibility please contact the hiring manager.

The Governance team is primarily responsible for ensuring the integrity of our qualifications and upholding the interests of our students. It also oversees our developing Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) and internal audit programmes. The Governance team works with our Approved Programme Provider (APP) network on initial and continuing APP approval issues policy oversight and advice and compliance and regulation issues. Externally the Governance team also works closely with our regulator in the United Kingdom the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Internally the Governance team works closely with a variety of WSET teams including the APP Development Exams Finance and Customer Service teams.

You will lead a team that is based across WSETs four regions (Americas Asia Pacific Mainland China Europe Middle East and Africa) to ensure continual improvement manage quality and risk and implement the operational framework that enables WSET to deliver qualifications to the highest standards. As head of ESG you will oversee the development and implementation of the ESG plan and initiatives and oversee risk and reporting.

WSET is undergoing an exciting period of growth and change with the introduction of new qualifications and subjects and our continued mission to make WSET qualifications accessible to students across the world.

Strategy Governance and Regulation

Work with the CFO to ensure that WSET meets its regulatory obligations as an awarding organisation delivering Ofqualregulated qualifications.

Work with the WSET Awards Supervisory Board (the subcommittee of WSETs Board of Trusteesthat oversees our awarding activities) to set and monitor quality objectives.

Responsible for WSETs Quality Management System.

Ownership of the Awards Risk Register.

Continually review procedures to ensure that WSET demonstrates best practice as an awarding body making recommendations for process improvements as necessary.

Lead development of plans to deliver improved governance frameworks procedures processes and policies for the WSET organisation as a whole.

Leadership

Performancemanage the Governance team providing leadership coaching and mentoring to develop and upskill the team to achieve agreed objectives and deliver exceptional customer service

Provide functional management and leadership for the Governance operations in WSET AsiaPacific China and Wine & Spirit Education Trust America Inc ensuring WSETs Quality and Compliance Strategy is embedded in each entity

Manage change from a governance perspective as WSET undertakes transformative projects in information management and from paperbased to digital assessment

Set and manage Governance budget within organisational parameters managing team expenditure and expenses accordingly

APP Approvals Renewals and Controls

Develop and manage the WSET APP application and approval process ensuring due diligence in application review and liaising with the WSET Business Development teams as required

Responsibility for the Centre Agreement and Data Transfer Agreement and any other contractual documents as required between WSET and APPs ensuring these are updated and enforced as needed

Develop and manage postapproval processes for monitoring APPs to ensure maintenance of quality standards and compliance with WSET policies and procedures

Administer any governance elements of the APP renewals process ensuring that appropriate checks and balances are inbuilt to ensure that APPs meet requirements in order to renew their approval to offer qualifications

Monitor and report APP compliance recommending/implementing mitigation corrective and preventative measures in accordance with WSET policy and regulatory requirements

Develop update and maintain APP documentation which reflects WSET policies and procedures including the APP Handbook and Diploma Guidelines

APP Visits
Manage a sustainable and effective programme of APP remote and inperson visits to include:

A strategic approach that prioritises visits and differentiates visit types to reflect QA strategy and risk management

Strategies to ensure best practice in all aspects of qualification delivery at APPs

Auditing APP activities against WSET requirements

Maximizing opportunities to add value for both WSET and APPs

Multidisciplinary visits including representation from different WSET departments

Training opportunities

Adoption of remote technologies to maximize efficacy and efficiency

Internal Audit

Develop and deliveran annual audit plan focusing on key risk areas

Environmental Social and Governance (ESG)

Oversee the delivery or implementation of the various strategies and initiatives within the ESG spectrum in accordance with relevant legislation and guidelines.

Act as Company Secretary for WSET including monitoring changes in relevant legislation and regulatory environment and overseeing maintenance of statutory books and records.

Skills and Competencies

Experience

Experience leading and managing a team

Experience working in a quality and/or compliance setting

Experience working in a regulated industry

The ability to set policies and maintain compliance to policy

Experience working with contractual documentation

Customer oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills

Experience of managing a risk management process

Collaborative and team oriented

UK Benefits

Annual Leave 27 days pa public holidays increases with service; ability to buy/sell 5 days

Pension (options available after three months):

5% Employee (EE) 3% Employer (ER) contributions.

Option 1: 3% EE 5% ER

Option 2: 5% EE 8% ER

Option 3: 7.5% EE 12.5% ER

Option 4: 9% EE 15% ER

Health insurance (after three months):

Vitality scheme post probation Access to virtual GP appointments Rewards include Caffe Nero drinks Cinema Tickets Apple Watch Cash Back on Waitrose shopping 75% off at Champneys 6 month subscription with HeadSpace Discounted Weight Watchers membership and gyms Smoking Cessation day worth 300 and half price health screens

Eye voucher scheme

Food and drink in the office

Nespresso coffee makers and a range of other drinks fruit cereals soups

Season ticket & gym membership loan scheme

Group income protection scheme

EAP

24/7 confidential help and support from trained counsellors and advisors

Death in service

4x annual salary paid to nominees with associated bereavement support for family

Enhanced family friendly leave and pay

Celebration vouchers

Cycle2Work scheme

Discretionary bonus

Development WSETs inhouse training and qualifications in Wines Spirits Sake and Beer as well as other professional development opportunities

USA Benefits

WSET Americas offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees subject to elections and eligibility. Some key highlights of our benefits package include:

• Competitive PTO and Holiday Schedules
• Competitive Health Benefits including Medical Dental Vision Disability and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bonus Eligibility
• Retirement Savings

US Applicants Only:

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop; kneel crouch and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision depth perception peripheral vision and ability to adjust and focus.

DISCLAIMER:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties skills efforts requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned at any time.

If located in the US Available to Applicants in Delaware California Connecticut Florida Georgia Kansas Massachusetts Maryland North Carolina New Jersey Nevada New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Virginia Washington and Wisconsin.