Governance Support Officer

University of Kent; Canterbury; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

43 days' leave per year

Excellent pension scheme

Healthcare plan

Job summary

University of Kent is seeking a Governance Support Officer for a 6-month maternity cover to provide secretariat and project support across the Board of Governors, Academic Board and committees.

You'll plan committee business, assist with governing documents, respond to queries and help keep communications clear. Hybrid working options and generous staff benefits are available.

Qualifications

• Experience providing committee, governance and senior administrative support.
• Strong written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and escalate issues when needed.

Responsibilities

• Providing secretariat support to University committees, including planning annual schedules and agenda planners.
• Supporting committee member recruitment, election, induction and ongoing engagement.
• Assisting with drafting governing documents, policies and reports, and supporting Directorate projects.
• Supporting Directorate communications and acting as the first point of contact for queries.

Skills

Governance support

Stakeholder communication

Deadline management

Job description

On the 1 August 2026, The University of Greenwich and the University of Kent formed a pioneering new multi-university group called London and South- East (LASE) University Group. Should you join us, you will be employed by LASE but will work as part of the University of Kent academic division, contributing to its distinct strengths, community and identity while also being part of a wider group that brings together the scale, resilience and shared ambition of both universities. Through LASE we aim to deliver outstanding education, impactful research, and meaningful regional and global impact.

Are you organised, thoughtful and confident working with people across the University?

Would you enjoy helping committees run smoothly and supporting good governance?

This is a 6 month fixed term (maternity cover) role in which you’ll provide secretariat and project support for the University’s Board of Governors, Academic Board and their committees, helping ensure governance processes are effective, compliant and well communicated.

Working with senior colleagues, committee chairs and stakeholders across the University, you’ll plan committee business, support members, contribute to governing documents and projects, and keep Directorate communications clear and up to date. You’ll also manage competing deadlines, use your judgement to resolve day-to-day issues and know when to seek advice on more complex matters.

As Governance Support Officer, you can expect to be involved in:

• Providing secretariat support to University committees, including planning annual schedules and preparing agenda planners.
• Supporting committee member recruitment, election, induction and ongoing engagement.
• Assisting with the review and drafting of governing documents, policies and reports, and providing administrative support for Directorate projects.
• Supporting Directorate communications and acting as the first point of contact, responding to or directing queries.

What will you bring to the role?

• Experience providing committee, governance and senior administrative support, with an understanding of formal governance processes and good practice.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear documents and communicate positively with a range of stakeholders.
• The ability to manage competing deadlines, use sound judgement and know when to seek advice or escalate an issue.

What we can offer in return:

As a member of our team, you can expect a friendly, open and collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing. You'll enjoy a range of great staff benefits including:

• Hybrid working options allowing a flexible blend of office and home working (to be agreed in line with business needs)
• 43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part‑time staff)
• Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Corporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden Health

For more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent

We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve - join us in making the world a better place. Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/

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The University of Kent values diversity and equality at all levels.