Governance and Compliance Officer

Job Description

Our client is a well-established and extremely reputable educational establishment who provide educational services across multiple sites. The organisation pride themselves on their ability to deliver a first-class service to their pupils, focussing on a stimulating education experience which will give them all the knowledge, tools, and experiences to lead an enriched, successful adult life. An opportunity has arisen for someone to join the organisation as a Governance and Compliance Officer. The purpose of this role is to ensure the effective governance across the school sites, in addition to the management of policies and regulatory compliance relating to the ISSR, Charity Commission and GDPR. This role will also manage the School Risk Register, ensuring they always remain ‘inspection-ready’. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a well-respected organisation, and truly make a positive difference within this pivotal role.

Please note: The contractual working hours for this role are 35 per week – Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm. There will be a requirement to attend and administratively support at meetings outside of normal working hours on occasion, including occasional weekends.

Main responsibilities:

• Lead by example to embed a culture of effective governance, responsibility and unwavering compliance throughout the organisation.
• Provide and maintain highly effective and efficient governance and compliance services to directors and staff, developing a culture of excellent service and expertise which impacts positively on the educational experience and academic outcomes of pupils.
• Act as the ‘constitutional conscience’ of the governing body.
• Accountable for providing professional and legal advice and information to the governing body (and its committees) on governance, constitutional and procedural matters.
• Responsible for the provision of effective administrative support to the governing body and its committees.
• Prepare in advance of meetings including producing, collating and distributing clear agendas and collating updates on the progress of actions.
• Chairing committee meetings.
• Develop, implement and monitor processes to ensure the professional recruitment, election and/or appointment of new governors and their induction.
• Monitor, record and coordinate the appraisal, training and development of members.
• maintain and manage succession plans for governing body and committees.
• Help manage the suspension or dismissal of members of the governing body.
• Manage policies and create a central system/process for storing and monitoring polices.
• Develop the data protection strategy and implementation ensure full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Develop good practice for information management and record-keeping systems.
• Delivering, or coordinating the delivery of training of employees on GDPR compliance requirements.
• Conducting regular assessments and audits.
• In accordance with the Risk Management Policy, coordinate the management of the School Risk Register.
• Support the application and integration of risk management processes, identifying risks and implementing control measures.
• Develop and maintain a transparent and comprehensive ‘School Inspection Response Plan’.
• Ensuring compliance with ISSR and working within their regulatory framework.

Key Skills & Experience:

• The NGA Level 3 in Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards (or a commitment to work towards this) and/or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Knowledge of the key features of effective governance, and the legal/contractual duties of a board.
• Experience delivering administrative support in a clerking a similar function, working with colleagues at a senior level.
• Strong knowledge and experience in delivering the regulatory, legislative and statutory requirements implicit within a school environment.
• Detailed knowledge of GDPR and risk register management is preferred but not essential.
• Good knowledge of inspection frameworks is also preferred but not essential.
• Proven track record of developing systems and procedures to be able to implement, measure, monitor and coordinate policy, process and procedure across multiple functions and multiple sites.
• Ability to work under pressure and deal with a multitude of tasks, priorities and deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, able to provide clear and concise information.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency and experience across the Microsoft Suite.
• High levels of personal integrity and trustworthiness.
• Highly organised, methodical, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Passionate about controlling and maintaining high quality and standards.

If you would like to apply for this opportunity, please submit an up-to-date CV including details about your current or most recent salary and your availability/notice period. You can also call Joanna Middleton on 01926 699272 for a discreet and confidential discussion about the role.