Director of Governance

Northern Education Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Education Trust is seeking a Governance Professional to advise the board, committees and executive team on strategic, legal and operational governance matters.

You will lead on governance compliance, risk management and board effectiveness, with strong collaboration across the trust and senior leaders to safeguard the organisation and improve outcomes for students.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent senior professional experience in governance.
• Knowledge of the Academy Trust Handbook, charity/company law and governance legislation.
• Experience advising or clerking boards within a multi-academy trust, education or corporate governance setting.
• Excellent diplomacy, ethical judgement and decision-making under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Strategic: advise on governance frameworks, statutory regulations and internal governance policies.
• Board recruitment, induction, succession planning and training for trustees and members.
• Oversee compliance, risk management and scheme of delegation, declarations of interests and filings.
• Coordinate two-way governance across central trustees and local academy committees and manage escalation processes.
• Support corporate transactions such as academy conversions or mergers and maintain robust governance records.
• Line manage the Data Protection Officer (DPO) and Communications & Local Academy Council Officer.

Skills

Governance experience

Board advisory

Risk management

GDPR knowledge

Academy trust knowledge

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Are you a forward-thinking governance leader looking to make a lasting impact in education?

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

As our named Governance Professional, this is a pivotal, strategic advisory role designed to steer compliance, drive board effectiveness, elevate risk management, and nurture strong relationships across all levels of trust leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic: Serve as the expert adviser on the Academy Trust Handbook, charity/company law, statutory regulations, and internal governance frameworks.
• Board effectiveness & recruitment: Lead recruitment campaigns and succession planning for trustees and members. Design and implement comprehensive induction programmes and coordinate continuous training.
• Compliance & risk management: Oversee the trust's assurance framework. Manage the scheme of delegation, declaration-of-interest forms, and statutory filings with Companies House and the DfE.
• Local governance: Build robust, two-way communication channels between central trustees and local academy committees. Oversee escalation processes, including independent appeals and panels (exclusions, complaints, suspensions).
• Corporate & Board Support: Manage board agendas, produce high-precision minutes, track post-meeting actions, and support corporate transactions such as academy conversions or mergers.
• Line Management: Line manage the Data Protection Officer (DPO) and the Communications & Local Academy Council Officer.

What We Are Looking For:

We are seeking a proactive, highly organised governance specialist with the confidence to provide robust, objective advice to senior stakeholders. You will be qualified to degree level or hold equivalent senior professional experience with a proven track record advising or clerking boards within a multi-academy trust, education or corporate governance setting. In addition, you will hold a deep knowledge of the Academy Trust Handbook, DFE and Governance legislation, GDPR and charity/company law. The ideal candidate will have excellent diplomacy, sound ethical judgement, and the “courage” to provide objective advice in challenging situations.

Why Join Northern Education Trust?

• Drive real impact: Directly support our vision and values to improve children’s life chances through robust, ethical governance.
• Professional development: Access continuous training and growth opportunities within a supportive central team.
• Collaborative culture: Enjoy matrix support from both the Chief Executive Officer and the Chair of the Board.

Northern Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, an online search will be completed on all shortlisted applicants prior to interview. Any relevant information will be discussed further with the applicant during the interview process.

The trust is committed to considering flexible working requests and to safer recruitment practice. Pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. All posts are subject to enhanced disclosure and barring service checks. We expect all adults to share our commitment to safeguarding and the health and wellbeing of our students.