Governance Officer

We are looking to recruit a Governance Officer to support Harris Federation Academy Governing Bodies in and around Bromley, Beckenham and Croydon.

This is a varied role providing clerking support to a number of academies across the Federation. Prior experience of working in clerking or governance is desirable with the ability to consistently deliver a high level service in a timely manner. This is a term time only position with the addition of five extra days to be worked during the academic year.

About Us

The successful candidate will be based at our central office located next to East Croydon station with easy access to academies via public transport.

Our central team comprises of 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 an outstanding body of staff all integral to supporting central and academy finance, HR, Data, Estates Management, Talent and many more. We look for dedicated experts in their fields to support this work. If you would like to join the administration and operational development of a highly successful multi-academy trust, then this may be the opportunity for you.

Main Areas of Responsibility

The Governance Officer will provide governance information, advice and support to a number of Harris Federation Academy Governing Bodies (AGBs), including meeting management and administration, clerking and minute taking, and providing information and advice to Governors. This will require the role holder to provide a service to Governors on individual AGBs to keep them informed of relevant statutory requirements, education developments, and training schedules. They will also provide information and advice to Chairs of Governors about agenda setting, ensuring that AGBs fulfil their statutory duties. They will also provide general support to the Harris Federation Academy Governor Services team.

Key duties will include:

Relationships and communication

• Build relationships with the Governors on the AGBs you clerk for, the key figures in the academy and staff across the wider Federation.
• Develop effective channels of communication for sharing information with the AGB and the wider Federation, including the Federation Governor Services Lead and Governor Services Officer.
• Provide administrative support for the Harris Federation Academy Governance team as agreed with the Governor Services Lead.

Meetings and administration

• Establish and maintain efficient procedures for meetings, sharing documents in a timely manner using the Harris Federation SharePoint.
• Ensure AGB papers are clear and accurate, and that meeting minutes capture discussion points and actions, in line with Federation guidance.
• Liaise with academy office staff to ensure that academy websites and Get Information About Schools (GIAS) government are kept updated with governance information as per legal requirements.
• Liaise with academy office staff to ensure that all Governors have up to date DBS checks in place.
• Maintain efficient Governor records for the AGBs you clerk for.
• Advise the AGB when Governors’ terms of office end and assess the effect this will have on the AGB’s mix of skills.
• Make active contribution to meetings.

Providing advice and support

• Maintain awareness of statutory guidance that impacts on governance
• Support the Chair of Governors of the AGBs you clerk for in identifying priorities and upcoming issues when planning meetings.
• Keep AGBs updated on changes to legal or statutory requirements.
• Keep AGBs informed about training and development opportunities.
• Help AGBs foster a culture in which challenge is welcomed.
• Support AGBs when carrying out self-evaluation exercises.

Professional judgement

• Advise on conflicts of interest, and how to manage and avoid these.
• Challenge the AGB if concerned about non-compliance or the conduct of meetings.
• Remain committed to improving your own performance and take advantage of opportunities to attend training and development activities.
• Maintain confidentiality, especially where it relates to individual members of staff or students. 

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to A-Level or above.
• NGA Development for Clerks programme would be desirable but is not essential.
• Experience in a busy administrative role.
• Experience within a clerking or governance role is essential.
• A keen interest in public sector/charity governance.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact careers@harrisfederation.org.uk to arrange a conversation with the Director.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Rewards & 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 to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

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 we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

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

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.