Policy and Assurance Lead Adviser

Do you want to join a team that provides outstanding leadership, strategic direction and support to some of the best schools in the country? Do you want to play your part in delivering outstanding learning and teaching to young people in disadvantaged communities? If so, joining the Star team might just be the best career move you ever make.

About Star Central

Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Institute and our schools.

The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today’s young people and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a Policy and Assurance Lead Advisor to support the management of the Trust’s policy review and assurance framework. You will undertake research to support the development of new and updated policies and procedures and carry out editorial reviews to ensure that all statutory and Trust quality requirements are met.

You will have lead policy responsibilities for a number of key Trust assurance policies and procedures, including Information Governance, Risk Management and Equalities. Providing you with a crucial role in making sure that the Trust maintains compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, working as a key member of the Trust’s central Assurance Team.

You will have exceptional writing skills that you have used to produce clear, accurate and professional documents for a variety of audiences or purposes, within a professional organisation.

You will have clear communication skills, respecting the needs and priorities of others, and be able to adapt your communication style to meet the needs of a specific situation.

You will have demonstrated sound judgment when considering the needs of an organisation, its stakeholders and the need to demonstrate compliance with a regulatory framework.

You will be self-motivated and be able to deal with a wide range of enquiries in an efficient and organised manner. You will have excellent IT and communication skills, with a confident and professional manner. You will be proactive, work well under pressure and effectively prioritise your workload to meet strict deadlines.

You will have:

• A degree or equivalent, or significant experience within a relevant field.
• Experience of working in a policy lead, information governance or risk management role.
• Experience of developing and drafting complex documents for a wide range of users including policy documents and responses to external queries.
• Experience of providing policy advice and guidance, including advising service-users, colleagues, and decisions-makers on the application of regulations.
• The ability to communicate with tact, understanding and discretion with members of the public, colleagues at all levels when dealing with enquiries, information requests, and complaints.
• ​​​​​​​The ability to explain technical and complex areas in written and verbal communication clearly and succinctly.

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About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level. 

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements, healthcare cash plans and salary sacrifice car leasing.

​​​​​​​Find out more

Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Star Central by calling 0330 313 9800.

Key Dates

Closing Date: Sunday 11th December 2022.

Interview Date: Thursday 15th December 2022.

Proposed Start Date: As soon as can be agreed.

Application Process

To apply for this vacancy please use the 'Apply for job' link below. You should ensure your application form and supporting statement address all elements of the person specification. We will only consider candidates who meet the vast majority of the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.