Trust Governance Professional and Executive Assistant

Diocese Of Chichester Academy Trust, Eastbourne, BN23 7BL

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  15 June 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  1 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: Full time, Term time only plus 4 weeks (43 weeks per year). Flexible working options available.
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Grade 13, Scale Point 34-36

What skills and experience we're looking for

Key Responsibilities Strategic Governance Advice

• Provide independent, high‑quality governance advice to the Chair, CEO and Trustees, ensuring adherence to the Academy Trust Handbook, statutory frameworks, Trust policies and best practice guidance.
• Support the Chair in creating conditions for effective board operation, constructive challenge, and balanced contribution from all trustees.
• Support the design, implementation and continuous improvement of governance systems, processes and documentation, for the Trust Board and Local Governing Bodies.
• Maintain and regularly review the Articles of Association, Scheme of Delegation, committee Terms of Reference, governance handbook ensuring full compliance and up‑to‑date publication.
• Ensure correct recording and publication of appointments, registers of interest, GIAS entries, policy cycles, and statutory reports (e.g., gender pay gap, modern slavery).
• Provide clerking to Trust Board meetings, including working groups
• Plan agendas with Chairs and senior leaders to enable strategic, forward‑looking discussion, and ensure papers are high‑quality, succinct and circulated in good time
• Produce accurate minutes, action logs and maintain oversight of meeting cycle planning.
• Support efficient management of panels and working groups, identifying opportunities to streamline processes
• Coordinate the board’s self‑evaluation cycle, including skills audits, succession planning and training needs analysis.
• Plan whole‑board and targeted training ensuring statutory training completion.
• Ensure the recruitment of Trustees and Governors is undertaken strategically and informed by skills audits and succession planning, ensuring the Board and Local Governing Bodies benefit from a broad and relevant range of expertise.
• Maintain induction programmes for trustees and local governors, ensuring onboarding is comprehensive and timely.
• Act as a professional point of contact between the Executive Team and key stakeholders including Trustees, school leaders, governors and external partners.
• Support Local Governing Bodies and clerks with governance advice and guidance, providing training and support when required.
• Line manage DCAT Clerks.
• Work closely with the Trust’s Marketing, Communications, Events and PR Lead to ensure executive communications, announcements and strategic messaging are accurate, timely and aligned with Trust priorities.
• Support the preparation and coordination of executive communications including Board briefings, leadership updates, Trust announcements and key strategic documents.
• Ensure communications arising from governance meetings, Executive decisions and strategic initiatives are effectively shared with the Marketing, Communications, Events and PR function for wider dissemination where appropriate.
• Provide administrative and briefing support for Trust communications including newsletters, strategic updates, events and leadership messages.
• Coordinate with the Marketing, Communications, Events and PR Lead to ensure consistent messaging across governance papers, executive communications and Trust publications.
• Maintain clear communication channels between the Executive Team, governance structures and the Trust’s communications function.
• Provide proactive and confidential EA support to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team.
• Manage complex executive diaries, ensuring priorities are clearly structured and time is used effectively.
• Support the preparation of board reports, strategy papers and Trust wide communications.
• Act as a central coordination point for Executive Leadership Team activity.
• Support administrative coordination for Executive Leadership Team meetings, ensuring they are well organised, documented and followed up through clear action tracking.
• Anticipate executive needs and proactively manage information, deadlines and priorities.
• Support the CEO in maintaining oversight of strategic initiatives and Trust priorities.
• Support the planning of Trust-wide projects and operational initiatives.
• Engaging with sector to ensure that ELT is informed of sector best practice and emerging issues.
• Work with all members of the Trust team to develop and improve systems, policies and initiatives in line with the Trust development plan
• Liaise professionally with schools, central teams and external stakeholders.
• Support the onboarding and governance integration of new schools joining the Trust
• Engage actively in CPD relevant to governance, administration and Trust leadership.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of education, charity and company law, safeguarding and compliance.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, organisation, resilience and relationship-building skills.
• Adhere to Trust safeguarding policies and undertake all required safeguarding training. Carry out duties reasonably required within the scope and level of the role. Promote the values and mission of the Trust and contribute positively to a culture of professionalism, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• To undertake such duties at the discretion of the Executive Team as may reasonably be required by the changing needs of the Trust.
• To maintain a positive view of change and be prepared to adapt the role as the Trust grows, matures and evolves.
• The list of duties is not exhaustive and the postholder may be required to undertake other responsibilities appropriate to the grade of the post.
• Christian principles underpin the way the organisation runs and its partnership with schools and academies and the post-holder must be committed to the organisation’s vision and values.

Governance Framework and Compliance

Trust Board and Committee Administration

Board Evaluation, Training & Development

Stakeholder Communication & Two‑Way Governance Engagement

Executive Assistant Support

Administration

Professional Development & Personal Qualities

General Responsibilities

Other

This job description only contains the main accountabilities relating to the post and does not describe in detail all the duties required to carry them out. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities that are commensurate with the nature and level of the post.

What the school offers its staff

Thank you for your interest in joining the Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust (DCAT). We are delighted that you are considering applying for the role of Trust Governance Professional and Executive Assistant, a pivotal position at the heart of our Trust. At DCAT, our mission is rooted in our Every Child Strategy, a commitment to ensuring that every pupil flourishes academically, socially and personally. Achieving this ambition relies upon strong governance, high-quality leadership and effective collaboration across our schools and central team. This role plays a vital part in enabling that success by ensuring our governance is robust, our leadership is well supported, and our strategic priorities are effectively coordinated. This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of Trust leadership, supporting the work of the Trust Board, its committees and the Executive Leadership Team. The postholder will provide professional governance advice, ensure high standards of compliance and organisation, and play a key role in facilitating effective decision-making across the Trust. At the same time, the role offers the opportunity to contribute to executive coordination, communication and strategic delivery at the highest level. We are seeking an individual who brings professionalism, discretion and strategic awareness, alongside excellent organisational and communication skills. The successful candidate will be confident working with senior leaders and Trustees, able to manage complex priorities, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance and integrity. At DCAT, we pride ourselves on being a collaborative and supportive organisation, underpinned by our values of wisdom, respect and aspiration. We are committed to professional development, continuous improvement and creating an environment in which colleagues can thrive and make a meaningful contribution to our shared mission. We hope the information within this pack gives you a clear insight into the role and the opportunities it offers. We look forward to receiving your application.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

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.

Commitment to safeguarding

This post is covered by the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018.

This Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service- check.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

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

Governance Professional and EA Job Pack_28May26.pdf - 1.65 MB (opens in new tab)

About Diocese Of Chichester Academy Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Email address: jsaunders@dcat.academy
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/diocese-of-chichester-academy-trust

We are a thriving Trust on the south coast of England with 19 current schools.

Head office location

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