Director of Governance

Northern Education Trust; Ryton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Education Trust (NET) is seeking a Director of Governance to shape the governance maturity across its network. Based at North Shore Academy, Stockton, the role is permanent, full-time (37 hours) with a base site and some travel.

You will advise the board on strategic governance, risk, compliance, and statutory duties, ensuring robust governance across the trust. The post reports to the Chair of the Board and CEO, requiring a proactive, highly organised governance professional with

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent senior professional experience.
• Experience advising or clerking boards within a multi-academy trust.
• Knowledge of the Academy Trust Handbook, DFE and Governance legislation, GDPR.

Responsibilities

• Advise on the Academy Trust Handbook and governance frameworks.
• Lead board recruitment and induction programmes.
• Oversee compliance and risk management.
• Coordinate two-way communication between central trustees and local academy committees.
• Support board agendas and minute-taking and post-meeting actions.
• Line manage the Data Protection Officer (DPO) and the Communications & Local Academy Council Officer.

Skills

Governance

Board recruitment

Risk management

GDPR

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Shape theFuture of Governance Across Northern Education Trust

Post: Directorof Governance

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary Range: Grade 11 SCP 52 – SCP 54 (£70,412 - £74,566 FTE)

Working Type: Full Time, 37 hours per week Base: North Shore Academy, TalbotStreet, Stockton TS20 2AY (some travel may be required)

Please note: the post holder will be engaging in regulatedactivity, working mainly or wholly with children. This position is exempt fromthe rehabilitation of offender’s act 1974. It is an offence to apply for thisrole if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant tochildren.

Northern Education Trust (NET) is acharitable education trust with an excellent track record for schoolimprovement. The trust currently sponsors 30 academies; 17 secondary and 13primaries across the North of England in fourteen local authority regions.

Position: Director ofGovernance

Salary: Grade 11

Reporting To: Chair of theBoard and Chief Executive Officer (Matrix Management)

ContractType: Permanent, 37 hours per week, whole time

About the role

Are you aforward-thinking governance leader looking to make a lasting impact ineducation?

At NorthernEducation Trust (NET), high-quality governance drives student achievement andorganisational success. As our Governance Professional, you will act as atrusted expert, advising the board of trustees, committees, and the executive team,on strategic, legal, and operational governance matters.

As our namedGovernance Professional, this is a pivotal, strategic advisory role designed tosteer compliance, drive board effectiveness, elevate risk management, andnurture strong relationships across all levels of trust leadership.

KeyResponsibilities

• Strategic: Serve as the expert adviser on theAcademy Trust Handbook, charity/company law, statutory regulations, andinternal governance frameworks.
• Board effectiveness & recruitment: Leadrecruitment campaigns and succession planning for trustees and members. Designand implement comprehensive induction programmes and coordinate continuoustraining.
• Compliance & risk management: Oversee the trust’sassurance framework. Manage the scheme of delegation, declaration-of-interestforms, and statutory filings with Companies House and the DfE.
• Local governance: Build robust, two-waycommunication channels between central trustees and local academycommittees. Oversee escalation processes, including independent appealsand panels (exclusions, complaints, suspensions).
• Corporate & board support: Manage boardagendas, produce high-precision minutes, track post-meeting actions, andsupport corporate transactions such as academy conversions or mergers.
• Line management: Line manage the DataProtection Officer (DPO) and the Communications & Local AcademyCouncil Officer.

What We AreLooking For

We areseeking a proactive, highly organised governance specialist with the confidenceto provide robust, objective advice to senior stakeholders. You will bequalified to degree level or hold equivalent senior professional experiencewith a proven track record advising or clerking boards within a multi-academytrust, education or corporate governance setting. In addition, you will hold adeep knowledge of the Academy Trust Handbook, DFE and Governance legislation,GDPR and charity/company law. The ideal candidate will have excellentdiplomacy, sound ethical judgment, and the courage to provide objective advicein challenging situations.

Why JoinNorthern Education Trust?

• Drive real impact: Directly support our visionand values to improve children's life chances through robust, ethicalgovernance.
• Professional development: Access continuoustraining and growth opportunities within a supportive central team.
• Collaborative culture: Enjoy matrix supportfrom both the Chief Executive Officer and the Chair of the Board.

NorthernEducation Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofchildren. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

Inaccordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, an online search will becompleted on all shortlisted applicants prior to interview. Any relevantinformation will be discussed further with the applicant during the interviewprocess.

The trust iscommitted to considering flexible working requests and to safer recruitmentpractice. Pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment isconfirmed. All posts are subject to enhanced disclosure and barring servicechecks. We expect all adults to share our commitment to safeguarding and thehealth and wellbeing of our students.

For more information, pleasecontact Becky Bishop, Executive Assistant at [e-mail]

Closingdate: 12 noon on Friday 6th November 2026. However, the trust reserves the right toclose applications early, potentially after two weeks should a high volume ofapplications be received.