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Sapientia Education Trust; Wymondham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Benefits package

Job summary

Sapientia Education Trust is seeking an experienced Director of Compliance to join the Executive Team and shape governance and risk across 23 schools. You will advise Trustees and senior leaders, ensuring robust assurance and data protection across the Trust.

You will oversee GDPR compliance, maintain risk registers and support academisation and growth projects, reporting to the CEO and Board.

Qualifications

• Significant experience within education compliance, governance or school support operations.
• Knowledge of UK GDPR and data protection requirements.
• Excellent communication, report-writing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience advising Boards, Committees and senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust's compliance, governance and data protection functions across all schools.
• Maintain the assurance framework and risk registers for the Trust.
• Provide strategic advice to Trustees and senior leaders; shape governance arrangements.
• Support Trust growth, including academisation projects and joining schools.

Skills

Governance

Compliance

Data protection

Stakeholder management

Strategic leadership

Job description

Sapientia Education Trust is a successful and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust serving schools across Norfolk and Suffolk. Established in 2016, the Trust has grown to 23 schools, educating almost 9,000 pupils across primary, secondary, sixth form and boarding provision. With further schools expected to join in the coming years, we are entering an exciting new phase of growth, development and opportunity.

Our central teams provide expert support across education, finance, human resources, governance, estates, ICT, safeguarding and health and safety. Together, we work in partnership with school leaders to remove barriers, drive improvement and ensure our schools can focus on delivering exceptional educational outcomes for every pupil.

THE ROLE

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced governance, compliance or education professional to join the Executive Team and play a key strategic role in shaping the future of a growing and highly regarded Trust.

Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will lead the Trust's compliance, governance and data protection functions, ensuring that statutory obligations are met and that robust systems of assurance, risk management and accountability are embedded across the organisation.

As Director of Compliance, you will oversee Trust-wide governance arrangements, provide strategic advice to Trustees and senior leaders, maintain the Trust's assurance framework and risk registers, and lead on data protection and GDPR compliance. You will also play a pivotal role in supporting Trust growth, leading the compliance and governance requirements associated with academisation projects and new schools joining the Trust.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a confident and highly organised leader who can build strong professional relationships, provide credible advice to senior stakeholders and maintain the highest standards of governance and compliance.

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience within education compliance, governance, school support operations or a similar professional environment.
• Strong knowledge of governance, statutory compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge and practical experience of UK GDPR and data protection requirements.
• Excellent communication, report-writing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience of working strategically whilst also managing operational priorities.
• The ability to influence, advise and support Boards, Committees and senior leaders.

WHY JOIN US?

• Join a thriving and growing Multi-Academy Trust with an ambitious vision for the future.
• Work directly with the CEO and Board of Trustees in a high-profile strategic leadership role.
• Help shape governance and compliance arrangements across 23 schools.
• Play a key role in future Trust growth and academisation projects.
• Access excellent professional development opportunities and join a highly skilled and supportive central team.
• Local Government Pension Scheme and a competitive benefits package.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be required to undergo appropriate safeguarding and pre-employment checks. In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education, references will be sought prior to interview