Compliance Officer

We are looking for a Compliance Officer to join our team at the Harris Federation head office in East Croydon.

About Us

We are a pioneering education charity, and one of the leading multi-academy trusts in the country. We have a track record of taking on some of the most challenging schools in London, turning them into places where every young person can access a high-quality education and have opportunities to succeed.

Educating 1 in 41 young people in London, we now have 52 primary and secondary academies transforming the life chances and opportunities of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London.

Our central team comprises a dedicated, driven group of departments working centrally to provide support across the Federation and all of our academies. Across a multitude of key departments, we maintain expertise all integral to supporting central and academies in areas such as Finance, HR, Data, Estates Management, Talent and many more.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Reporting to the Federation's Compliance and Data Protection Manager, you will be responsible for assisting with Head Office Compliance team activity. Specific areas of responsibility will include:

Federation Policies:

• Coordinate the review of Federation Policies and key documents, including sending calling notices to policy owners, liaising with the CEO's office over submissions to the Main Board, liaising with Human Resources with regards to policy sign-off by staff, and drafting policy update communications to the Federation.
• Maintain a central policy register, ensuring key documents and SharePoint sites are accurate and kept up to date.
• Quality assurance of policies, including proof-reading, formatting and engaging policy owners over queries regarding content.

Website Compliance:

• Deliver termly academy Website Manager Training (to include website compliance and technical guidance and support) and one-to-one training to new website managers, as required.
• Keep abreast of Department for Education (DfE) updates on requirements to publish information on Federation/ academy Websites.
• Publish mandatory Federation Policies to Federation and academy websites (where applicable).
• Maintain Website compliance documentation.
• Carry out spot checks on academy websites and liaise with Primary and Secondary central administrative teams to ensure compliance with DfE guidelines.

Data Protection:

• Monitor completion and maintain records of Federation ‘All Staff Data Protection Awareness Training'; assist with the delivery and design of data protection awareness training.
• Assist with central data protection compliance activity as directed, including: responding to data incidents, preparing communications, liaising with Data Champions, assisting with the compilation of data protection impact assessments and updating the various internal Data Protection SharePoint sites.

Freedom of Information

• Responsible for managing Federation Freedom of Information (FOIs) requests, including:
• the tracking and collation of information for FOI requests.
• preparation of draft responses to FOI requests for CEO sign-off.
• maintenance of FOI records via the Federation's central register, which records where information is held and a record of all responses/acknowledgments and the information supplied.

Qualifications & Experience

The following are the professional and personal attributes required in the role. Professional development will be provided to enhance skills and knowledge.

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Graduate level of
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications.
• Working knowledge of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and its practical implementation.
• Previous experience in an education management, compliance, operations and/or data protection role.
• Experience of working in a professional and high-paced environment.

Personal qualities and skills

• Proven and well-developed interpersonal skills, including good communication both written and verbal.
• Good administrative skills with an excellent eye for to detail, including proof reading skills, with the ability to maintain a high level of accuracy.
• Professional working ethic and a commitment to high standards.
• Ability to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children and young people.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to work as part of a team building and maintain good working relationships with colleagues.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits.

We offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with 2 days from home and 3 days either with the team at our office in East Croydon or visiting one of our academies.

Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.