Strategic Governance Lead & Assistant Secretary to Council

Birmingham Newman University; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Library services

Free on-site parking

Cycle to work scheme

Staff development opportunities

Job summary

Birmingham Newman University is seeking an experienced Governance Manager and Assistant Secretary to Council to provide authoritative governance advice and ensure effective governance processes across committees and the governing body.

Reporting directly to the University Secretary and Chief Strategy Officer, you will service meetings, coordinate agendas, minute takings, track actions and statutory reporting, and build strong relationships with Council members, senior staff, regulators and

Qualifications

• Experience directly supporting corporate governance boards and committees within a complex organisation, ideally within Higher Education.
• Strong understanding of governance best practice, regulatory compliance, and the legislative and policy environment affecting universities.
• Proven ability to manage governance processes, including committee servicing, agenda planning, minute-taking, action tracking and statutory reporting.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience drafting reports, briefings, papers, policies, and high-level correspondence for regulators and auditors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to build effective relationships with Council members, senior executives, staff, students, and external bodies.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and horizon scan to support the longer-term governance cycle.

Responsibilities

• Provide governance advice and support to senior leaders and governors.
• Support boards and committees, servicing meetings, coordinating agendas, minute taking, and tracking actions and statutory reporting.
• Prepare reports, briefings, policies and high-level correspondence for regulators and auditors.
• Assist with horizon scanning and long-term governance planning.

Skills

Governance expertise

Minute taking

Stakeholder management

Policy drafting

Regulatory compliance

Interpersonal skills

Project coordination

Education

Graduate-level qualification or equivalent

Governance, company secretarial, or legal qualifications

Tools

Microsoft 365

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Birmingham Newman University is seeking an experienced Governance Manager and Assistant Secretary to Council to provide authoritative governance advice and ensure effective governance processes across committees and the governing body.

Reporting directly to the University Secretary and Chief Strategy Officer, you will service meetings, coordinate agendas, minute takings, track actions and statutory reporting, and build strong relationships with Council members, senior staff, regulators and