Lead Governance Professional

King's Group Academies, Portsmouth, PO2 0NT

10 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  1 June 2025 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  23 April 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time: Annualised 52 week contract for 780 hours (including holiday). We are open to discussing term-time working arrangements for the right candidate. Some evening work will be required.
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £41,510 - £45,718

What skills and experience we're looking for

Role Purpose

The Lead Governance Professional will be responsible for leading, managing, and developing the governance functions within the Trust to ensure that King’s Group Academies (KGA) operates in a compliant, efficient, and effective manner. This role is pivotal in enabling the Trust to meet its statutory and regulatory obligations and maintain high standards of governance. The successful candidate will provide strategic guidance, support, and development for the Board, Trustees, Local Governing Bodies, and key stakeholders across the Trust.

Key Responsibilities

Governance Leadership and Strategy

• Ensure compliance with governance regulations, legislation, and guidance.

• Develop and manage frameworks of policies, procedures, and documentation to enable effective governance.

• Provide proactive strategic support and guidance to Members, Trustees, CEO, Director of Organisational Development, Headteachers, Clerks, and Chairs of Local Governing Bodies in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities around MAT governance.

• Maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of current and relevant legislation affecting Multi Academy Trust governance.

• Lead and support the Clerk Forum to share best practice and ensure effective governance across the Trust.

Clerking and Meeting Management

• Organise and call all meetings within agreed timeframes, ensuring a focused agenda is set.

• Prepare agendas for Board meetings and committee meetings in collaboration with the CEO and Chair of Trustees as appropriate.

• Support Headteachers, and LGBs in the preparation of focused agendas and papers for meetings as necessary.

• Provide effective clerking, minuting, and follow-up on action points from all meetings.

• Maintain accurate and up to date membership records, including attendance and eligibility checks, as well as the provision of a welcome pack for new Trustees..

• Oversee statutory paperwork and ensure compliance with the relevant bodies such as DfE and RSC.

Development of Governance Systems and Frameworks

• Work with the Director of Organisational Development to establish and maintain a governance planner to set out meeting schedules and agenda items.

• Develop, monitor, and report on compliance with the MAT Scheme of Delegation, Terms of Reference, Code of Conduct, and Statement of Responsibility for Members, Trustees, and Governors.

• Support the recruitment and induction of new Trustees, Governors, and Clerks, ensuring they understand the governance structure and their roles within it.

• Assist in the delivery of governance training, ensuring that new and existing members are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

• Provide advice on compliance with statutory policies, including the publication of required information on the Trust and school websites.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Act as the point of contact for communication between the Trust Board and LGBs.

• Attend consultation meetings with potential schools joining the Trust, supporting the conversion process.

• Collaborate with external stakeholders such as the DfE, Local Authorities, and other MATs to ensure compliance and effective governance practices.

Risk Management and Reporting

• Work with the Director of Organisational Development to develop and implement procedures for governance monitoring and reporting.

• Respond to external requests for governance information and provide timely, accurate reports as needed.

Support and Training

• Lead the induction and ongoing professional development of new and existing Trustees and Governors, ensuring their continuous learning and engagement with governance practices.

• Coordinate an annual training schedule for Trustees and Governors, maintaining a comprehensive training tracker.

Continuous Professional Development and Other Duties

• Undertake any professional development necessary as informed by the Trust Improvement Strategy as well as ensuring all Central Team statutory training requirements are met in a timely manner.

• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required, aligned with the role and grade of the position.

Safeguarding

• Be fully aware of the safeguarding responsibilities and ensure that all governance processes, policies, and practices uphold the safety and well being of children and young people within the Trust.

• Work closely with Senior Leadership to ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are robust, understood, and followed.

• Participate in relevant safeguarding training and act as a safeguarding advocate within governance structures.

Health, Safety, and Security

• Be aware of and adhere to the responsibility for personal health, safety, and welfare, ensuring that actions or inactions do not put others at risk.

• Cooperate with the Trust on all matters related to health, safety, and welfare, and contribute to a safe and secure working environment for all staff, students, and stakeholders.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Promote a culture of inclusion, ensuring that all governance activities are accessible and equitable for all members of the Trust community.

• Champion diversity in governance structures by encouraging the recruitment and retention of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.

• Ensure that all governance practices reflect the Trust’s commitment to equity and diversity, creating a safe and supportive environment for all stakeholders.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will be an experienced governance expert with a proven track record in leading and managing governance functions at a strategic level within a Multi Academy Trust or similar complex environments. They will possess deep knowledge of governance legislation, procedures, and best practices, coupled with strong leadership and communication skills to provide proactive support and guidance to the Board of Trustees, Local Governing Bodies, and Senior Leadership teams.

The candidate will be highly organised, with a strategic mindset and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively. A commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement across the Trust is essential for success in this role. The successful candidate will also demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex governance matters with tact and diplomacy.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience of providing secretarial and administrative support at a senior level.

• Experience in dealing appropriately with confidential and sensitive information.

• Strong ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, exhibiting high levels of tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to compile well written and grammatically correct documents and letters.

• Developed IT skills, with the ability to utilise a wide range of applications (e.g Google docs, Microsoft Office, GovernorHub etc.)

• Highly organised with excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

• Experienced in advising a wide range of key stakeholders on governance issues.

• Ability to train and lead others, ensuring up to date knowledge of governance processes.

Desirable

• Knowledge of governance procedures and legislation relevant to Multi Academy Trusts.

• Experience working in a governance role within an educational environment, particularly in a MAT.

• Understanding of the governance framework for MATs and the wider educational landscape.

Behaviours

Essential

• Adaptable, accountable, and dependable, with a focus on accuracy and timeliness.

• Able to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including members of the Trust Board, Local Governing Bodies, and members of the KGA Executive Team.

• Ability to quickly establish strong working relationships with staff, partner organisations, and professional bodies.

• Strong ability in resolving issues and proactively seeking out improvement opportunities and delivering solutions.

• Integrity, enthusiasm, and commitment.

• Flexible approach to work and adaptable to changing priorities.

• Willingness to embrace and celebrate the KGA vision and values.

• A proactive attitude to personal and professional development, including training, coaching, and mentoring.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• High level of professionalism and integrity, particularly when dealing with sensitive and confidential information.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.

• Excellent problem solving skills, with the ability to proactively identify issues and seek solutions.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high quality outcomes.

• A passion for continuous learning and self development, with a positive and flexible approach to change.

• Commitment to upholding equality, diversity, and inclusion principles in all aspects of the role.

What the school offers its staff

Our offer to you

Working for KGA delivers all the benefits you would expect from a large employer, including:

• Generous annual leave and other holiday entitlement along with flexible working.

• Entry into the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.

• Employee Assistance Programme.

• Discount and recognition schemes.

• Great CPD opportunities.

How to apply

To apply, please download the application pack and complete our application form, sending it to centralhr@kingsacademies.uk. The application pack and further details about the role can be found on our website.

KGA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All posts within our academies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants will be required to declare spent and unspent convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as spent, and complete an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Such declarations will be made on the appropriate section of the application form, and will be removed prior to the selection panel shortlisting process. The chair of the panel will discuss relevant, positive declarations confidentially with the applicant at interview. The disclosure of convictions, cautions, or pending cases will not necessarily prevent employment but will be considered in the same way as a positive DBS disclosures.

Application deadline

Sunday 1st June 2025 12:00pm

Selection process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a recruitment and selection day week commencing 2nd June 2025. The selection activities will take place at one of the King’s Group Academy sites.

Further details about the role

Hours: Annualised 52 week contract for 780 hours (including holiday). We are open to discussing term-time working arrangements for the right candidate. Some evening work will be required.

Location: Trust-wide travel required across Hampshire, Berkshire, and Sussex

Salary: Band 10, Step 25 - 29 FTE £41,510 - £45,718 (Actual £16,828 - £18,534)

Reporting to: Director of Organisational Development

Commitment to safeguarding

To ensure the best possible provisions and outcomes in relation to safeguarding: Safeguarding is represented at a senior level by our Safeguarding Lead.

We have a series of measures in place to help create safe and inclusive environments for children and young people here at at KGA. These include: Recruitment and selection processes, the provision of a safeguarding induction, in-depth safeguarding training, a clear, accessible reporting mechanism and guidance for all representatives of The Trust employee and volunteers.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs are not accepted.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Candidate Application Pack - Lead Governance Professional.pdf - 744 KB (opens in new tab)

About King's Group Academies

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: King's Group Academies website
• Email address: centralhr@kingsacademies.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/king-s-group-academies

KGA is a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) with academy sponsor status recognised by both the DfE and the Regional Schools Commissioners.

KGA offers a unique home for schools wishing to join us. We look to our Academy heads to help drive improvement within KGA through our Education Board, supported by a group of trustees with a considerable depth of international, business and financial expertise.

KGA is driven by a clear moral purpose. This translates into an expectation that all young people can and will achieve, but within an open, value-driven environment.

Head office location

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