Governance Officer

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated and motivated Governance Officer with experience in the public sector, particularly within a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) setting, that is looking for a rewarding new part time role. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing MAT with schools based in London, the Midlands and the South West of England. All Avanti schools provide pupils with an outstanding education rooted in the inclusive and distinctive Avanti Schools ethos of educational excellence, character development, and spiritual insight.

To be successful in this role, you will have a thorough grasp of the laws that affect Multi Academy Trusts, or similar transferable skills. You will need to be highly organised, proactive, and enthusiastic, with excellent communication skills. All applicants will need experience in successfully implementing collective strategies and have familiarity with recording and preparing minutes and agendas.

Transferable skills are welcomed, including but not limited to: 

• Other governance sectors 
• Education consultants 
• Senior roles within similar school trusts i.e. Head Teacher/Principal

This is a new position as our organisation continues to grow and develop. The role is part time (2-3 days per week), term time only and we offer a flexible working approach, with a mix of office time and working from home.

Your responsibilities? 

• Provide efficient and effective support and advice to the Board of Trustees. 
• Coordinating a programme of regular evaluation of the quality of governance, including skills audits and individual reviews for those governing 
• Act as a point of communication between the Directors, Members, Avanti Services Trust staff and other stakeholders 
• Clerking and arranging all Board and Sub-Committee meetings. These can take place after school or during the early evening. 
• Maintain a Register of Interests and advise directors on managing conflicts of interests 
• Provide governance training to key personnel (Central teams and at school level) 
• Management and establishment of Trust Sub-committees

For a more comprehensive list of the job responsibilities, please download the Job Description.

What are we looking for? 

• A sufficient level of general education including high level written English 
• Relevant experience steering a self-evaluation of the quality of governance for a similar organisation or trust 
• Excellent communication and mediation skills 
• Experience of supporting a Directors’ or Governing Body 
• Experience with recording and preparing minutes and agendas.

Please see the Job Description for more information on the essential criteria and skills required for the role.

Why should you apply?

You will be working in a fantastic environment. Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place. 

• You'll be entitled to 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro rata 
• NEST pension scheme 
• Development opportunities

Further information

Pre-employment checks
Avanti Services Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.

Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

Diversity and Inclusion
We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics.

Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.