Trust Governance Officer (South Cumbria)

About the Role

Are you an experienced administrator or governance professional looking for a rewarding role where you can directly support education and community leadership?

As a Governance Officer, you will play a vital role in supporting effective governance as new academies join our growing Trust in South Cumbria. Working closely with the Head of Governance, Headteachers, and local governance chairs, you will deliver high-quality governance support across the region, lead local onboarding, and support the wider Trust governance team.

This is a flexible hybrid position combining home working, hands-on time visiting local schools in South Cumbria, and collaborative team days once per half-term in Manchester.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Governance & Onboarding

1. Academy Community Councils (ACCs): Oversee the smooth running of the local governance tier across identified South Cumbria schools.
2. Recruitment & Onboarding: Recruit, induct, and train new ACC members, ensuring local boards reflect their school communities and possess the required skills.
3. Meeting Management: Plan agendas, prepare high-quality papers, attend termly ACC meetings, and record accurate notes and actions.
4. School Visits & Governance Support: Coordinate termly member visits, learning walks, and stakeholder voice initiatives (parents, staff, and students).
5. Compliance & Records: Maintain accurate statutory governance records, GovernorHub profiles, school websites, and 'Get Information About Schools' data.

Panel Support & Trust Responsibilities

1. Complaints & Panel Hearings: Advise Headteachers and investigating officers on complaint handling, and convene/minute formal panels for complaints, exclusions, and HR hearings across the region and wider Trust.
2. Inspection & Transition Support: Assist schools during Ofsted inspections and lead transitional governance arrangements for new schools joining the Trust.
3. Primary School Admin Support: Provide ad-hoc administrative support for small primary schools in the region (approx. 1 day per fortnight).

What We Are Looking For

Essential

1. Qualifications: A-Level standard education (or equivalent) with GCSE Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above).
2. Experience & Skills: Strong administrative background, experience organising high-level meetings, setting agendas, and taking accurate formal minutes.
3. Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to build confidence and influence stakeholders.
4. IT & Planning: High proficiency in standard IT tools and online governance management tools.
5. Mobility: Willingness and ability to travel regularly to schools across South Cumbria/Barrow, with occasional travel to central team meetings in Manchester.

Desirable

1. A Level 3 Governance qualification (or willingness to obtain one within 12 months).
2. Previous governance or clerk experience within an educational or multi-academy trust setting.

What We Offer

1. Competitive Salary: £28,456 -£31,584 pro-rata 0.8 FTE/4 days per week, permanent, all-year-round. 
2. Flexible Working: Hybrid model offering home working alongside scheduled in-school presence, regional and wider Trust collaboration.
3. Professional Development: Dedicated support and funding towards governance qualifications and continuous CPD.
4. Values-Led Culture: A collaborative, supportive environment shaped by co-operative principles and values.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your completed application form highlighting your relevant administrative and governance experience in your personal statement. Interviews will take place in Cumbria early to mid November. 

Co-op Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and encourage applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnership status.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies: We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not send unsolicited CVs or speculative applications, as we prioritise direct recruitment for our roles. Any unsolicited profiles submitted will be treated as direct applications to Co-op Academies Trust, and agency terms or fees will not apply. We appreciate your cooperation.