Governance and Risk Lead

Church of England; Walshaw; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Sick pay & family-friendly policies

Fair pay progression

Job summary

The Sycamore Church of England Trust is seeking a Governance and Risk Lead to shape governance, risk and compliance across its family of schools. You will provide professional advice, strengthen systems, and support clear accountability and reliable assurance.

The role offers senior leadership influence across the Trust. Working with Trustees and school leaders, you will develop governance frameworks, lead policy management, and oversee risk management practices.

Qualifications

• Experience in governance, compliance, risk, audit, assurance or related field.
• Ability to shape governance and risk management across a growing organisation.
• Strong professional judgement, curiosity and strategic thinking.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance leadership and professional support for the Board and committees.
• Develop and maintain governance frameworks, records and templates.
• Oversee compliance framework, policy management and regulatory disclosures.
• Lead risk management processes and reporting to Trustees and committees.
• Line manage Compliance Officers and other staff; build a high-performing team.
• Engage with Trustees, governors and school leaders; promote accountability and transparency.

Skills

Governance

Compliance

Risk management

Audit

Assurance

Board governance support

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

As The Sycamore Church of England Trust continues to grow, so does the importance of strong governance, effective compliance and proportionate, well-understood risk management. We are seeking a Governance and Risk Lead to help shape and develop governance, risk and compliance across our family of schools. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with experience in governance, compliance, risk, audit, assurance or a related field who wants to make a meaningful contribution within a growing organisation. Whether your experience spans the full portfolio, or you bring strengths in one area, we are looking for someone with the ambition, curiosity and professional judgement to grow alongside the role. Working closely with Trustees, governors and leaders across the Trust, you will provide professional advice, strengthen systems and processes, and support clear accountability, effective risk management and reliable assurance. This is an opportunity for someone with sound judgement, curiosity and relevant professional experience to make the role their own, shape a growing function and develop deep expertise across governance, risk and compliance.

What We Can Offer

A senior leadership role with Trust-wide influence. The opportunity to shape governance, compliance and risk arrangements across a growing organisation. The opportunity to develop a small compliance team. A collaborative and supportive central team. Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement. The opportunity to make a genuine difference to schools, leaders and governance stakeholders.

Job Description

Governance Leadership and Professional Support

Act as the Trust's lead professional for governance. Undertake Governance Professional responsibilities for the Board of Trustees, ensuring governance arrangements comply with statutory, regulatory and constitutional requirements. Lead the planning, coordination and administration of Trustee meetings, including agendas, reports, minutes, action tracking and governance records. Provide professional advice and guidance to Trustees, Local Academy Committees, Executive Leaders and school leaders on governance matters. Develop and maintain governance frameworks, templates, guidance and resources that promote effective decision-making, accountability and consistency across the Trust. Establish and oversee governance arrangements for Local Academy Committees, including meeting cycles, agenda structures, reporting templates, governance platforms, record-keeping requirements and quality standards. Coordinate Trustee and Governor recruitment, induction, training and ongoing development. Support the coordination of governance-related hearings, complaints, appeals and other statutory panel processes. Monitor the effectiveness of governance arrangements and lead continuous improvement across the Trust.

Compliance and Regulatory Assurance

Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Trust's compliance framework. Ensure statutory and regulatory requirements are identified, communicated, monitored and reviewed across the Trust. Oversee Trust-wide policy management arrangements, ensuring policies remain compliant, up to date, accessible, maintained and reviewed within agreed timescales. Monitor changes in legislation, regulation and statutory guidance, advising on implications and required actions. Ensure systems and processes are in place to support effective governance, compliance monitoring and assurance. Maintain oversight of governance, compliance and statutory records, registers and documentation, ensuring information is accurate, accessible and appropriately maintained. Ensure published governance and statutory information, including websites, GIAS and regulatory disclosures, remains accurate and compliant. Coordinate compliance reviews, audits and assurance activities, ensuring actions are implemented and monitored to completion. Support the preparation of governance and compliance evidence required for internal and external audit, inspection and review processes. Provide assurance reporting to Trustees, Executive Leaders and Committees regarding governance, compliance and regulatory matters.

Risk Management

Lead and coordinate the Trust's risk management arrangements, ensuring there are clear processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring, reporting and escalating risk. Work with leaders across the Trust to embed effective risk management practices. Produce risk reports and assurance information for Trustees, the Executive Team and relevant Committees. Monitor emerging risks and support leaders to implement effective mitigating actions. Provide oversight of governance, compliance and operational risks, ensuring appropriate controls and assurance arrangements are in place.

Leadership and Team Management

Lead, manage and develop the Trust's governance, compliance and risk function. Line manage Compliance Officer/s and other staff within the function as required. Allocate workload and resources to ensure effective delivery of governance, compliance and risk activities. Provide professional advice, coaching and support to team members and colleagues contributing to governance and compliance activity. Promote collaborative working, continuous improvement and high professional standards across the Trust.

Stakeholder Engagement and Organisational Development

Build effective working relationships with Trustees, Governors, school leaders, colleagues and external partners. Act as a trusted adviser on governance, compliance and risk management matters. Promote a culture of accountability, transparency and continuous improvement. Contribute to the development of efficient systems, processes and communications that strengthen governance, compliance and organisational effectiveness across the Trust.

Interviews will take place on Monday 19th October 2026. We reserve the right to hold interviews sooner should we receive strong candidates so we would encourage interested applicants to apply promptly.

We are proud to offer a supportive, values-driven working environment where staff are genuinely valued and developed.

A values-led organisation

As a Church of England Multi Academy Trust, our work is rooted in strong values, with a commitment to serving our communities, supporting one another, and enabling both pupils and staff to flourish. We promote a culture of collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility across all our schools and central services.

A supportive and inclusive culture

We believe that people do their best work when they feel supported. We work closely across our schools and central team to share expertise, provide practical support, and reduce unnecessary workload wherever possible.

Wellbeing and staff support

All staff have access to a comprehensive and confidential wellbeing package through Education Mutual, alongside occupational health support, and additional wellbeing resources. We actively promote a healthy worklife balance and take a proactive approach to supporting staff through periods of change or challenge.

Professional development and career progression

We are committed to developing our people. Staff have access to high-quality CPD through The National College, offering a wide range of professional and personal development resources. We also provide Trust-wide development opportunities and encourage collaboration across schools to support career progression and leadership development.

Consistent and fair employment offer

As a Trust, all staff are employed under a consistent framework, ensuring fairness and transparency. Our policies and pay structures are aligned with recognised local authority models (including Bury Council), providing a reliable and well-understood employment offer.

Generous terms and conditions

We offer competitive terms and conditions, including:

• Access to Local Government Pension Schemes
• Generous annual leave for support staff
• Occupational sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Clear and fair pay progression arrangements

Part of something bigger Working within a Multi Academy Trust provides opportunities to collaborate beyond a single school, share best practice, and contribute to wider improvement across multiple settings whilst retaining a strong sense of community within each school.