Job Summary
The Trust is seeking to appoint two Governance Officers to support governance across its schools.
To provide high-quality governance, clerking and administrative support to Local Governing Bodies (LGBs) and governance forums across the Trust, ensuring governance arrangements operate effectively, professionally and in line with Trust procedures and statutory requirements.
The Governance Officer will act as the first point of contact for Local Governing Bodies, Governors and school leaders in relation to governance administration, meeting processes and routine governance matters, providing first-line procedural advice and support within established governance frameworks.
The role will support the effective operation of governance through the coordination of meetings, maintenance of governance records, administration of governance processes and provision of procedural guidance, escalating complex or high-risk governance matters to the Director of Governance where appropriate.
The postholder will contribute to the development of consistent governance practices across the Trust and support Governors and school leaders in discharging their responsibilities effectively.
Core Responsibilities
Governance and Clerking Support
Provide comprehensive clerking and governance support to Local Governing Bodies, governor committees and other governance meetings as required across the Trust.
Coordinate and manage all administrative arrangements relating to governance meetings including:
- Annual meeting scheduling
- Diary coordination
- Venue arrangements
- Circulation of agendas and papers
- Attendee communication
- Meeting logistics
Work with Chairs of Governors, Headteachers and Trust leaders to prepare agendas which reflect governance priorities, statutory responsibilities and local school requirements.
Attend governance meetings and provide procedural support during meetings in accordance with Trust governance procedures and accepted governance practice.
Produce accurate, clear and timely minutes which appropriately capture:
- Attendance
- Discussions
- Challenge and scrutiny
- Decisions
- Recommendation
- Agreed actions
Ensure draft minutes, action logs and supporting documentation are distributed within agreed timescales.
Maintain governance action trackers and follow up outstanding actions with school and Trust leaders where required.
Support the effective operation of governance cycles across academies, ensuring meetings are appropriately planned and delivered throughout the academic year.
First-Line Governance Advice and Support
Act as the first point of contact for Governors, Local Governing Bodies and school leaders in relation to governance administration and routine procedural matters.
Provide first-line governance and procedural advice within established governance frameworks and Trust procedures, including advice relating to:
- Governance meeting processes
- Terms of reference
- Committee arrangements
- Governor appointments and terms of office
- Declarations of interest
- Governance documentation
- Governance compliance processes
Support Governors and school leaders in understanding governance procedures, escalation routes and administrative requirements.
Identify and escalate complex, sensitive or high-risk governance matters to the Director of Governance where appropriate.
Support the consistent application of governance procedures and practices across the Trust.
Assist Governors and school leaders with accessing governance guidance, documentation and training resources.
Governance Administration and Information Management
Maintain accurate and up-to-date governance records and documentation including:
- Governor and committee membership records
- Attendance records
- Declarations of interest
- Governor terms of office
- Governance contact details
- Skills audits
- Training records
Maintain governance systems, databases and electronic document repositories to ensure information is accurate, secure and accessible.
Support the administration and maintenance of statutory governance information for publication on Trust and academy websites.
Ensure governance documentation is retained and managed in accordance with GDPR, confidentiality requirements and Trust records management procedures.
Support the preparation and administration of governance correspondence and communications.
Governance Compliance and Assurance Support
Support the implementation of governance procedures and processes in line with:
- Trust policies
- Scheme of Delegation
- Governance procedures;
- Statutory guidance
Assist with monitoring governance compliance requirements across Local Governing Bodies.
Support governance assurance activities including:
- Policy review cycles
- Governance documentation reviews
- Meeting compliance checks
- Governor training compliance
Support the coordination and clerking of statutory and non-statutory governance panels (e.g. exclusions, complaints and appeals) as required, ensuring processes are administered in line with Trust procedures and statutory guidance.
Identify procedural inconsistencies or governance risks and escalate concerns appropriately.
Support the Director of Governance in maintaining consistent governance standards and practices across the Trust.
Assist with the preparation of governance information required for audit, inspection or regulatory review purposes.
Governor Development and Engagement
Support the preparation and administration of governance correspondence and communications.
Support the induction and onboarding of new Governors including:
- Induction documentation
- Governance information;
- Meeting access
- Governance systems setup
Assist with coordinating Governor training, development sessions and governance briefings.
Maintain records of Governor training and support the monitoring of development requirements.
Promote effective communication and positive working relationships between Governors, school leaders and Trust colleagues.
Support Governors in accessing information and resources required to fulfil their roles effectively.
Communication and Stakeholder Support
Provide professional, responsive and customer-focused support to Governors, school leaders, Trustees and external stakeholders.
Respond to governance-related queries in a timely and professional manner.
Support effective communication flows between Local Governing Bodies, schools and Trust central teams.
Promote a professional and consistent approach to governance administration across the Trust.
Other Clauses
- The duties of this post may vary from time to time according to the needs of the school/Trust and are not exhaustive, the postholder may be required to undertake tasks, roles and responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned to them following consultation with the job holder.
- This job description will be kept under review and may be amended via consultation with the individual, Governing Body and/or Senior Leadership Team as required. Trade union representation will be welcomed in any such discussions.
- The postholder is expected to participate and engage with workplace learning and development opportunities to continually improve their own performance
- The postholder may deal with sensitive material and should maintain confidentiality in all school related matters as set out in their statement of terms and condition of employment.
- You are expected to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and to be mindful of the safety of others, to cooperate with instructions, to minimise and mitigate potential hazards and risks to others and to appropriately report hazards, illnesses or injuries in accordance with our Health & Safety Policy.
- This is a Trust-wide role and the postholder will be required to travel regularly between academies and Trust sites to support Local Governing Bodies, governance meetings and wider Trust governance activity. The postholder must therefore hold a full, clean UK driving licence, have access to a suitable vehicle for business use, and maintain appropriate business use motor insurance. Mileage and authorised travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with the Trust’s Expenses Policy and prevailing mileage rates.
For our full Application Pack please email [email protected].
- Please note: Applications can only be accepted by completion of our INOVA Multi-Academy Trust application form which can be accessed via our website here: Careers | INOVA Multi-Academy Trust
Pay: £30,024.00-£32,597.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free flu jabs
- Free or subsidised travel
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Store discount
- Transport links
Work Location: In person
