Director of Governance | The Sandwell Colleges

Peridot Partners; Sandwell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Sandwell is seeking an experienced Director of Governance to uphold the highest standards of governance. The ideal candidate will have a governance qualification and strong skills in corporate governance and risk management. This role involves leading governance functions, ensuring compliance, and advising the Board. Join us in shaping successful futures for all learners.

Benefits

Competitive benefits

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven record in leading governance functions.
• Experience in further education sector preferred.
• Ability to operate at a senior strategic level.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee governance functions across Sandwell Colleges.
• Ensure compliance with statutory frameworks.
• Provide independent advice to the Board and executive.

Skills

Strong grasp of corporate governance trends

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of GDPR and risk management

Ability to build relationships

Education

Recognised governance qualification (e.g., Cert/Dip FEGP or ICSA)

Job description

Home / Roles / Director of Governance | The Sandwell Colleges

Director of Governance The Sandwell Colleges

The Sandwell Colleges seek an experienced and skilled governance professional to lead the continued development of high-quality strategic support and compliance across our organisation.

• Location: Sandwell, West Midlands

Who we are

As the largest provider of 16-19 study programmes in the West Midlands, delivering provision across three campuses, The Sandwell Colleges are committed to empowering every learner to achieve their full potential. Offering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment, the Colleges create opportunities for academic, personal and social development, preparing learners for higher education, apprenticeships or employment.

Having recently published our new strategic plan, we now have a clear roadmap which will drive our delivery through to the end of the 2028 academic year. Within this plan, we have redefined our mission to achieve excellent outcomes for all learners, ensuring successful futures for everyone. Over the next three years, our delivery will be underpinned by five primary strategic ambitions:

• Always ambitious for our learners – working towards 100% learner progression.
• Future-focused careers & skills – engaging local employers to co-create industry standard provision which leads to a pipeline of skills for now and the future.
• Powerful partnerships – civic, employer and education partners that deliver tangible impacts for our learners whilst growing our reach across the West Midlands.
• Empower our people – investing in our ‘Sandwellness’ wellbeing plan and to realise success as One Team.
• Financial resilience and sustainable colleges – strengthening our business model, expanding our market share and developing our estate.

Addressing the region’s evolving skills gap ensures that learners develop the knowledge, technical abilities and professional competencies needed to excel in today’s competitive job market.

Our inspiring team of tutors go above and beyond to help their students achieve not only their qualifications but also to guide them on their journey into work, further education, and university. Everything that we do as an organisation is underpinned by our organisational values:

• A mbitious
• R espect
• E mpower

Located in West Bromwich, Sandwell College boasts best-in-class facilities and exceptional teaching standards. Alongside delivering outstanding pass rates, we are proud to offer unrivalled mental health services and welfare support, ensuring that every student has access to the advice and guidance they need.

Highly regarded for its university-style campus and facilities, Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form offers more than 30 different courses to students. Learners can choose from core AS and A Level subjects alongside a range of specialist diplomas, creating a unique and flexible approach to learning designed to suit pupils’ individual needs.

Students from the College go on to make their educational mark at Birmingham’s own universities, as well as leading institutions throughout the UK and across a range of subjects.

Renowned as a centre of excellence for young people, Cadbury Sixth Form College places high-quality teaching, pastoral care, and strong student support at its heart.

More than 40 A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas and Subsidiary Diplomas are delivered by the College’s specialist faculty, allowing students to build a strong skill set for the future.

The College is dedicated to creating a first-class learning environment and has recently completed the first phase of a multi-million-pound Science City development, providing a cutting-edge Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths centre.

About the role

Employment Type: 0.8 – 1.0fte, Permanent.

Reporting to the Chair of the Corporation, Anne Frost, and working closely with our Principal & CEO, Lisa Capper MBE, and her executive team, the Director of Governance will play a pivotal role in upholding the highest standards of governance across Sandwell Colleges.

With a proven record of leading governance functions, you will embed best practice, ensure compliance with statutory frameworks, and enable the Corporation to operate strategically, transparently and effectively. Acting as both adviser and guardian, you will give the Board confidence in its leadership, decision-making and accountability.

A key aspect of the role is building strategic governance capacity and fostering constructive relationships with the Chair, Governors and senior leaders. You will provide authoritative, independent advice on statutory obligations, the Corporation’s powers as a public body, and the implications of policy, legislative, and regulatory changes. You will also support risk, policy, board assurance and information management.

You will oversee effective governance systems, ensuring the smooth running of the annual governance cycle, accurate agendas and minutes, and proactive support for Board sub-committees. You will maintain statutory instruments, standing orders, registers and other key documentation, as well as ensure timely regulatory submissions and support for appointments, panels, and hearings.

With a Board of committed professionals, many still relatively new to the organisation, you will also lead on induction, training, and development. This will include regular skills audits, appraisals, recruitment, and a continuous focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Through this role, we aim to strengthen the Board’s effectiveness, transparency, and accountability. Above all, governance must underpin the Colleges’ mission: achieving excellent outcomes for learners and creating successful futures for all.

Who we are looking for

Our new Director of Governance will bring a proven blend of professional expertise, credibility and personal integrity. You will hold a recognised governance qualification (such as Cert/Dip FEGP or ICSA) or demonstrate substantial experience that establishes your credibility as a trusted governance leader. While experience in the further education sector is preferred, we welcome applications from exceptional candidates who can evidence transferable expertise and articulate how their skills apply in our context.

You will have a strong grasp of corporate governance trends, company law and regulation, alongside working knowledge of GDPR, risk management, data protection, and wider statutory and compliance obligations.

The role requires the ability to operate at a senior strategic level—advising the Board and executive colleagues on complex governance issues—while building strong relationships with senior leaders, governors and stakeholders.

Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are essential, matched with organisational strength, resilience and the confidence to deliver clear, practical advice. Equally important are integrity, political awareness and alignment with the Nolan Principles, underpinned by a genuine commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

You will also be confident in using technology to support effective governance and able to balance independence and innovation with collaboration and teamwork.

Above all, as the organisation’s moral compass, you will be a trusted ambassador for The Sandwell Colleges, bringing professionalism, discretion and visible commitment to governance of the highest standard.

Peridot Partners and The Sandwell Colleges are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:

If you would like to know more about this role please contact Dan Baxter

Welcome from CEO & Principal of The Sandwell Colleges

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for exploring this candidate pack. We hope it inspires you to apply for the role of Director of Governance at The Sandwell Colleges.

The Sandwell Colleges have flourished in recent years to become the largest and one of the most successful colleges in the West Midlands. We are proud of our reputation for high-quality learning, excellent outcomes, and outstanding features in our most recent Ofsted inspection (2022).

We are now entering an exciting new phase. Guided by our strategic plan, Your Future, Our Focus, we are responding to national, regional, and local skills priorities while developing new expertise and specialisms. Inclusion and diversity remain central to our mission as we support learners from some of the most disadvantaged communities to progress in their careers and lives.

With three campuses across Sandwell and Birmingham, plus specialist skills hubs, our learners benefit from industry-standard facilities, excellent teaching, and a supportive culture that helps them thrive. As an anchor institution, we play a vital role in driving regional economic prosperity through strong employer partnerships and targeted skills development.

Our ambition is matched by significant investment. Recent projects include a £6m Science, Technology and Advanced Engineering Centre, and new partnerships with the NHS and local universities to create a health-focused learning campus. We are also proud of our rich diversity, with over 90 languages spoken across The Sandwell Colleges, and of our outstanding health, wellbeing, and enrichment programmes.

Strong governance is critical to our future. Since joining as Principal & CEO in November 2024, I have been excited by the opportunities ahead. Our new Director of Governance will play a vital role in shaping this next chapter—ensuring the highest standards of governance, compliance, and organisational integrity, while supporting and advising our Board, led by Chair Anne Frost.

The opportunities for The Sandwell Colleges, our partners, and the wider region are both challenging and inspiring. Together, we can make an even greater impact on the lives of our students and the prosperity of our communities.

If you are motivated by this vision and keen to work alongside me and our Board of Governors to drive the next stage of our success, please contact our retained advisors at Peridot Partners.

Yours sincerely,

Lisa Capper MBE
CEO & Principal of The Sandwell Colleges

About The Sandwell Colleges

In the West Midlands, industries such as digital technology, advanced manufacturing and healthcare are experiencing critical skills shortages. The Sandwell Colleges play a pivotal role in closing this gap by equipping learners with in-demand skills and providing businesses with access to a highly skilled talent pool. Our focus on skills development not only benefits individuals but also strengthens the region’s economy and supports long-term growth.

The Sandwell Colleges operate across three core campuses, each playing a distinct role in tackling the skills gap:

• Sandwell College: A hub for over 100 technical and vocational training courses, featuring extensive Apprenticeship provision and T Level pathways. From engineering and construction to health and social care, Sandwell College delivers technical expertise that directly aligns with employer needs.
• Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form: Sandwell’s centre for A Level excellence, located in its iconic, transformed art gallery campus. Celebrating a decade of success, the College develops critical thinkers and academic achievers, preparing them for leadership roles in diverse industries.
• Cadbury Sixth Form College: A centre for A Level and vocational learning in Kings Norton, with a reputation for academic excellence and student progression. The College focuses on STEM subjects, creative industries and professional pathways, shaping the next generation of skilled professionals.

With a dedicated team of over 900 staff, The Sandwell Colleges brings a collective vision to life by delivering exceptional, innovative, and inspirational teaching and learning experiences. The staff are at the heart of the group’s success, working collaboratively to enrich lives, raise aspirations, and drive social and economic well-being. From fostering student achievement to building strong partnerships with schools, employers, and community organisations, the team is united in its commitment to transforming education and empowering individuals to succeed.

A key strength of our organisation lies in our collaboration with employers, industry leaders, and policymakers to align their curriculum with workforce demands. This partnership-driven approach enables the Colleges to deliver education and training that directly addresses current and future skills shortages.

The launch of Tomorrow’s People – the commercial arm of The Sandwell Colleges – further underscores their commitment to addressing the skills gap. By offering sector-focused training, CMI-accredited leadership development and apprenticeship opportunities, Tomorrow’s People provides learners and businesses with the tools needed to thrive in an evolving economic landscape.

With a proud legacy, a forward-thinking approach, and a strong focus on skills development, The Sandwell Colleges continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of learners, communities, and businesses across the West Midlands.

The Sandwell Colleges is proud to expand its impact with the development of two state-of-the-art campuses and the exciting expansion of an existing facility, each designed to address critical skills gaps and empower the workforce of tomorrow.

• Learning Campus at Midlands Metropolitan University Hospital: A cutting-edge hub specialising in the health and social care sector, this campus is strategically located to support the development of future healthcare professionals, equipping learners with the skills and experience needed to excel in this vital and growing industry.
• Cradley Heath Skills Campus: Tailored for adult learners, this newly developed campus is dedicated to providing transformative education and training opportunities, enabling individuals to upskill, reskill, and thrive in today’s competitive job market.
• Sandwell Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Centre: Currently undergoing an ambitious expansion, this pioneering facility focuses on engineering and manufacturing. It is set to address regional and national skills shortages by preparing learners with advanced technical expertise to meet the demands of these high-growth industries.

These new developments and expansions reflect the Sandwell Colleges’ unwavering commitment to tackling the skills gap, fostering innovation, and supporting the economic growth of the West Midlands and beyond.

Through collaboration with employers, industry leaders, and local communities, we are shaping a brighter future for learners and the sectors that rely on us.

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For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:

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If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact Dan Baxter. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.

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Timetable

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 20th October 2025
Candidates informed of outcome: Friday 24th October 2025
Interviews: w/c Monday 3rd November 2025 (TBC)

We are in the process of confirming interview dates. Once confirmed, we will update the site and contact those who have applied.

Peridot and The Sandwell Collegesare committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions.We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.

The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.

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