Governance Manager - Twynham Learning

About the Post

Twynham Learning is a fast-growing multi-academy trust based in Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole. We are undertaking a rapid transformation process to ensure that we have a secure foundation for future success building on our current family of three secondary schools and five primary phase schools. The trust currently consists of Christchurch Infant School, Christchurch Junior School, Stourfield Infant School, Stourfield Junior School, Poole High School, Twynham School, Twynham Sixth Form, The Grange School and Twynham Primary School with further growth imminent, plus Bournemouth Bay Teacher Training Partnership (SCITT), The School Sport Partnerships (SSPs) and CPD provision through Two Rivers Institute (TRI).  

Our Governance Manager will provide high-quality leadership of the governance function across the Trust, including line management of the clerking team, company secretarial duties and clerking to Trustees and Members. This is a full-time opportunity. Trustee meetings usually take place at 4-6pm, so some early evening working will be required on a regular cycle.  

We are looking for an outstanding individual who will relish the opportunity to:

• Take ownership for maintenance of Trust policies, ensuring all required policies are compliant, consistent and are updated in line with the agreed internal cycle; new policy development when required.
• Manage the trust’s related party & business interests register.
• Maintain central record of all Safeguarding training for Trustees, Members and Governors
• Lead Trustee and Governance (Trustee and LAB Member) recruitment across the Trust and provide induction guidance and support for new recruits; Organise Trustee and Governor training.
• Report to Trustees on compliance issues and governance changes via Governance Manager report.
• Clerk to the Board of Trustees & Trust Members (including Chairs Advisory Group)
• Line manage and oversee the clerking team across the Trust, providing guidance, training, and role-modelling best practice.
• Work collaboratively as part of the trust’s Operational Leadership Team, alongside the trust’s managers for Finance, Estates, IT, HR and Risk/Audit and the Deputy CEO, taking an active leadership role within the Twynham Learning Core Services team.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in accordance with our Safeguarding and Child Protection policies

What we can offer you

• A friendly, professional team of colleagues
• Automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Free on-site parking
• The opportunity to work within Twynham Learning; a progressive multi-academy trust
• The opportunity to work in one of the most beautiful areas of the South Coast

Who we are looking for

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have significant prior experience in the education sector
• Are a self-starter, with the ability to drive change to make processes more robust and/or efficient
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and gravitas to interact with Trust leaders on a regular basis
• Have extensive administrative leadership experience, ideally in a multi-academy trust environment
• Are either a qualified company secretary or will work towards a qualification in this role, with support from the Trust
• Are proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
• Have experience of independently drafting business correspondence and documentation (including policy or procedure)
• Have previous experience of line management of others

You will also be keen to live our Twynham Learning employee values which are:

• Aim high
• Keep improving
• Don’t leave anyone behind
• See the bigger picture

Any questions?

To discuss the post or your application, please contact Vicky Elsworth (HR Manager) on 01202 402789 or email us at [email protected] 

How to apply

To apply for this vacancy, please submit a Job Application Form and Diversity Questionnaire by email to: [email protected]  

Only applications made using our own official application form will be accepted. You can download the form and questionnaire here:  www.twynhamlearning.com/187/staff-vacancies 

The closing date for applications is Monday 30 September 2024 at 8.30am. Interviews will be held on 4 October 2024.

Twynham Learning values diversity and inclusiveness. We aim to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote diversity throughout our whole workforce. We want our workforce to be representative of all sections of our community, so we give equal opportunities to all job applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability status, gender reassignment, marital/partnership status, pregnancy/maternity, race/colour/national origin, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. Only people who can evidence their right to work in the UK will be considered for this vacancy. We are committed to robust Safer Recruitment processes as part of our strong commitment to safeguard children and young people. An enhanced criminal records check will be undertaken on the successful candidate. Candidates must disclose all unprotected spent and unspent cautions and convictions. It is an offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.