School Governance & Assurance Lead

London Borough of Newham; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Borough of Newham is seeking a School Governance & Assurance Lead to provide strategic leadership across our maintained schools and education settings.

Based at Newham Dockside with hybrid working, the role leads governance policy, risk management and assurance, working with headteachers, governing boards and senior officers to strengthen governance and improve outcomes for children and young people.

Qualifications

• Significant governance, assurance, compliance, audit or risk management experience in education or public sector.
• Strong understanding of statutory duties for school governance, safeguarding, finance and accountability.
• Ability to work with senior stakeholders in complex, sensitive or high-risk contexts.

Responsibilities

• Provide credible strategic advice, assurance and professional challenge.
• Analyse complex information to identify governance, compliance and assurance risks.
• Develop and implement governance frameworks, policies and standards.
• Lead reviews and investigations with clear evidence-based recommendations.
• Communicate effectively and build relationships with senior leaders, governors and partners.
• Produce high-quality reports and assurance documentation while managing priorities.

Job description

School Governance & Assurance Lead

£52,194 - £55,323 per annum

Permanent

Full time, 36 hours per week

Location: Newham Dockside / Hybrid working

About the Job

Newham is one of London’s most ambitious and diverse boroughs, and we are committed to ensuring that our schools and education settings have strong, effective governance that supports the very best outcomes for children and young people.

We are looking for an experienced and confident School Governance & Assurance Lead to provide strategic leadership for school governance, accountability and assurance across Newham’s maintained schools and relevant education settings.

This is a key role within our Education Improvement and Outcomes service. You will act as the Council’s principal adviser on school governance and governance assurance, working closely with senior leaders, headteachers, governing boards, elected members and colleagues across Education and the wider Council.

You will lead the development and continuous improvement of our borough-wide governance assurance framework, ensuring effective arrangements are in place to identify and manage governance risk, monitor statutory compliance and provide senior leaders with clear and robust assurance.

The role will also lead on governance policy and standards, provide expert advice and constructive professional challenge, and lead complex governance reviews and investigations where significant concerns or risks have been identified.

Working closely with our School Improvement and wider Education colleagues, you will help ensure that strong governance is embedded across our education system and contributes to effective leadership, safeguarding, financial management and improved outcomes for children and young people.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in shaping and strengthening school governance and assurance across one of London’s most diverse boroughs.

About You

We are looking for someone with significant experience in governance, assurance, compliance, audit or risk management within education or another complex public sector organisation.

You will have a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities relating to school governance, safeguarding, finance and accountability and will be comfortable working with senior stakeholders in situations that can sometimes be complex, sensitive or high risk.

You will

Provide credible strategic advice, assurance and professional challenge.

Analyse complex information and identify governance, compliance and assurance risks.

Develop and implement effective governance frameworks, policies and standards.

Lead reviews and investigations and make clear, evidence-based recommendations.

Communicate confidently and build effective relationships with senior leaders, headteachers, governing boards, elected members and external partners.

Produce high-quality reports, policies and assurance documentation.

Manage competing priorities while maintaining excellent attention to detail.

You will be proactive and solution-focused, with excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to exercise sound professional judgement and discretion to ensure continuous improvement and strengthening governance across Newham.

For questions about the role or for an informal discussion, please contact Katherine Shieber at [e-mail].

Please view the JD here

Closing date: Friday 18 September 2026

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.