Governance & Compliance Manager

JR United Kingdom; Exeter; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected Trust in Exeter seeks a Governance & Compliance Manager to ensure compliance and oversee governance. The role involves managing governance records, liaising with regulatory bodies, and supporting policy updates. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in enhancing governance and compliance across the Trust, contributing to impactful community-focused education.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in governance or compliance.
• Strong knowledge of legal and educational governance frameworks.
• Experience preparing statutory returns and regulatory filings.

Responsibilities

• Clerk to formal governance meetings and maintain records.
• Lead updates to Trust-wide policies and monitor compliance.
• Prepare statutory filings and coordinate audits.

Skills

Governance frameworks

Compliance

Policy writing

Clerking

Communication

Financial accuracy

Organisational skills

Education

Senior governance or compliance experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Digital filing systems

Job description

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Employal is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of a respected Trust committed to delivering community-focused education and governance. We are seeking an experienced Governance & Compliance Manager to join their leadership structure and provide high-level support in all matters of statutory compliance, governance, and regulatory engagement.

This is a pivotal role for a detail-driven professional who understands the critical nature of policy, oversight, and legal accuracy within a charitable or educational setting. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of Trust and act as a key liaison with regulators, auditors, and governance boards.

The role:

• Act as clerk to the Trust’s formal governance meetings (Board of Trustees, Governing Body, sub-committees) – drafting agendas, taking accurate minutes, and tracking actions
• Maintain governance records including registers of interests, decision logs, and attendance
• Lead on Trust-wide policy updates, ensuring alignment with legislation and sector guidance
• Prepare and submit statutory filings and regulatory returns to Companies House, DfE, Charity Commission, and other regulatory bodies
• Monitor compliance across the Trust, including safeguarding standards and internal policy adherence
• Coordinate audits, investigations, and compliance reviews
• Serve as a lead contact for external advisors, auditors, and regulatory agencies
• Share duties with the Director's PA in handling hall bookings, lettings, customer queries, and community-facing administrative support
• Support with bid applications
• Support hospitality and guest arrangements for formal visitors or events
• Manage and bank income from bookings with financial precision
• Attend occasional evening meetings and off-site engagements

The candidate:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior governance, compliance, or administrative position
• Strong working knowledge of legal, educational, or charitable governance frameworks
• Demonstrated experience preparing statutory returns and regulatory filings
• Skilled in clerking, policy writing, and document governance
• High level of accuracy, confidentiality, and communication ability
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and digital filing systems
• Financial accuracy in handling and reconciling income
• Flexibility to work evenings and attend external meetings
• Collaborative, organised, and solution-focused
• Experience working in or with a multi-academy trust, school, or charitable organisation
• Awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and public sector regulatory expectations
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding of working within a faith-based environment

In return:

• A central role within a values-driven organisation
• Influence over policy, compliance, and strategic governance
• Opportunities for professional development and sector training
• A supportive team environment with meaningful impact across education and community services