Head of Governance

Education Week Jobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Dean Trust in Greater Manchester seeks a Head of Governance to lead governance across our growing trust of schools. You will work with the CEO, Trust Board and Local Governing Committees to ensure compliance, strong oversight and continuous improvement across all governance pillars.

The role requires a seasoned governance professional with experience across regulatory frameworks, board development and embedded assurance processes.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in governance, with strategic and regulatory knowledge.
• Experience supporting boards and advising executives in a complex organisation.
• Strong judgement, relationship-building and change-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance strategy across the Trust, ensuring consistency, compliance and effectiveness.
• Work with the CEO, Trust Board and Local Governing Committees to drive governance development and continuous improvement.
• Advise senior leaders and challenge constructively where required to support decision-making.
• Experience in multi-academy trusts and governance reviews is advantageous.

Job description

This is a rare opportunity to lead governance across a growing and high-performing trust of schools serving communities across Greater Manchester, Trafford, Knowsley and Wigan.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Wednesday 25th November 2026

About the Dean Trust

The Dean Trust is a multi-academy trust with a long-standing commitment to providing high-quality education, strong pastoral care and ambitious opportunities for children and young people across our family of schools. Our work is shaped by a belief that every pupil deserves to learn in a safe, supportive and academically aspirational environment and that schools thrive when they combine traditional values with a forward‑looking approach to teaching, learning and community engagement.

Our schools include large secondary academies, one-form-entry primaries and all-through provision, enabling us to support pupils at every stage of their educational journey. This breadth of provision reflects our commitment to serving varied communities and ensuring that children receive continuity, stability and ambition throughout their schooling.

About the role

This is a strategically important role operating at the heart of Trust leadership. As Head of Governance, you will work closely with the CEO, Trust Board, Local Governing Committees and senior leaders to ensure governance remains a genuine strength of the organisation and continues to support the Trust’s long-term ambitions.

You will lead governance strategy across the Trust, ensuring consistency, compliance and effectiveness whilst supporting governance development and continuous improvement.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced governance professional who combines technical expertise with strategic thinking, excellent judgement and the ability to build strong relationships across a complex organisation.

You will already have experience operating within a governance environment and understand the vital role effective governance plays in organisational success. Whether your background has been gained within education, the public sector, regulation, higher education, charities or another complex environment, you will bring the confidence and credibility to advise senior leaders, support trustees and challenge constructively where required.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of governance principles, regulatory frameworks and board effectiveness, alongside experience of developing systems, processes and structures that support strong decision-making and accountability.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate experience of supporting boards, advising senior executives, leading governance improvement and developing governance frameworks.

Experience within a multi-academy trust environment would be advantageous, as would experience supporting organisational growth, change or governance reviews.

Above all, we are looking for someone who shares our belief in the importance of strong governance as a driver of educational excellence. You will be collaborative, organised and solutions-focused, with the ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders whilst maintaining the highest professional standards.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 25th November 2026.