Governance Professional

This is a critical role within our Trust as you will support governance at all levels within the Trust to fulfil their statutory obligations. You will provide Board level guidance, offering high-quality Clerking and support to our Trustees and Members as well as carrying out the role of Trust Governance Professional. This will include ensuring governance across the Trust adheres to good practice, maintaining compliance with statutory regulations, acting as a trusted expert resource on governance matters and leading on improvements to systems, processes, and governance support across the Trust.

You will work closely with the Chair of Trustees, Chairs of Trust Committees (Finance, Audit & Risk, People and Standards), and Executives to ensure that the Trust delivers on its statutory responsibilities and to ensure the Trust’s vision is implemented through robust governance.

Due to the nature of the role, work hours may vary and evening work will be required for some meetings. An ability to work flexibly would be an advantage. Some meetings take place in the early evening and across all of our schools as well as the Haberdashers’ Hall in London. You will be required to attend Committee meetings in-person, however other elements of the role can be hybrid, as agreed with the line manager. There are four Trust Board meetings per year plus three of each of the committee meetings. There may be additional meetings such as hearings and panels which this role will support.

Reporting

This role reports into the Chair of the Trust Board but is line managed by the Trust Director of Operations. This structure recognises that the role has statutory and Trust responsibilities which will be directed by the Director of Operations, and / or the Chair of the Trust.  

This role will line manage the two Clerks for Local Governance who support the 9 local governing bodies of the Trust.

Support

Our staff are important to us. We know that without great staff, our children will not be as successful. Therefore, Professional Learning is key to our success. As a new Leader within the Trust, you will be supported by a mentor/buddy and the Senior Directors of Professional Learning and People to help you to develop and succeed.

Key areas of responsibility:

Governance Professional

•Lead on governance effectiveness and compliance within the Trust, ensuring governance at all levels within the Trust adheres to good practice, carries out its functions and meets all statutory and regulatory requirements that govern its work.

•Ensure that the Trust Board and its Committees, including the LGBs with the support of Clerks for Local Governance, are supported to function efficiently and effectively.

•Develop, review and maintain key governance documents such as the Trust’s Schemes of Delegation, Terms of Reference, role descriptions and Code of Conduct in line with changes in expectations from our external regulators and also from our Trustees.

•Ensure that the Trust’s online governance portal and Governance SharePoint site is maintained and used effectively. Manage the delivery and ongoing improvement of systems, processes, and governance support across the Trust

Senior Clerk to Trustees

•Clerk and be responsible for taking the high-quality minutes of the AGM, Trust Board and its delegated committee meetings, capturing discussion points, challenge and actions. Prepare with the Chair and the responsible member of the Executive agendas for upcoming meetings. Co-ordinate the collation of all supporting papers.

•Review the status of any actions from previous meetings, including any follow up work.

•Distribute the agenda and supporting papers at least seven days before the meeting using the GovernorHub platform.

•Chair the Trust Board meetings during the election of the Chair and Vice Chair annually.  

Compliance

•Acting as an advisory support and expert resource for Members, Trustees, Clerks and the wider Trust, keep them up to date on matters concerning governance and their statutory and Trust obligations.

•Confident in ability to advise Trustees on matters such as Multi Academy Trust governance, safeguarding, SEND, equalities and other statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education.

•Ensure that guidance on new legislation provided by the Department for Education and other bodies is disseminated and used to inform Trustee and governor meetings.

•Play a leading role in the annual policy review cycle. Working with the Director of Operations, maintain the Trust’s Policies Register ensuring the Trust’s record of policies and required documentation is accurate and compliant with education legislation, funding agreements, charity legislation, company law, data protection legislation, safeguarding guidelines and health and safety legislation.

Governor recruitment and development

•To provide support to Trustees and the Director of Operations in recruiting governors and Trustees that ensures the Trust Board and its committees are properly constituted, inclusive, diverse and meet the needs of the Trust. Routine reporting on this as required.

Additional information for applicants:

Please review the candidate information pack for more information. 'We expect all applicants to address their suitability for the role within their supporting statement' 

We intend on holding interviews for this role across two days: Thursday 7th November and Friday 8th November 2024. If you wish to apply yet are unable to make these dates, please contact Trust Recruitment Lead Yas Affum on y.affum@habstrustsouth.org.uk