Governance and Compliance Officer in High Wycombe

Full Time (37hrs per week) – Permanent

Location: High Wycombe

Salary: £33,951 – 37,694

Overview: We’re not trying to fit in with the higher education status quo. We’re challenging it. We’re doing things differently – because our students, our staff, and our world need us to. So this is an exciting moment to join us. We’re boldly reimagining what a university can be: a place rooted in social mobility, a community where difference is celebrated, and an institution that empowers people to become more than they thought possible.

The Governance and Compliance team delivers governance and compliance services across the University. The Governance and Compliance Officer will work collaboratively within the team to ensure an exceptional standard of service delivery, providing critical and seamless support to committees of Council, including Audit Committee, Senate, the University’s Colleges, and the University Strategy Group.

Key tasks will include:

• Annual planning, agenda drafting, commissioning and drafting papers, drafting minutes, preparing and maintaining action logs, maintaining constitutional documentation and induction of committee members.
• Maintaining the University’s compliance framework and meeting with Compliance Leads to review compliance status.
• Supporting the University’s Internal Audit programme to ensure that all areas of the University are compliant with best practice and legal compliance requirements.
• Supporting the Head of Governance and Compliance in securing high‑quality, cost‑effective legal advice for the University, and in monitoring the use of external legal firms for specialist matters.

Responsibilities:

• Governance Support: Deliver an efficient, professional and customer‑focused governance service. Act as Secretary to a portfolio of Council and Senate committees – including the Audit Committee – providing expert advice to Chairs and members on governance processes. Produce annual work plans, compile agendas, commission and quality‑assure papers, prepare Chair’s briefings, and issue timely committee packs. Draft clear, accurate minutes and action logs, and ensure actions are completed promptly.
• Compliance Monitoring: Work with colleagues across the University to track compliance with legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., OfS, UKVI, OIA, PSRBs, CMA, Ofsted, HESA, QAA, Prevent, EDI, Health & Safety). Escalate concerns to the Clerk to Council, Head of Governance and Compliance, and senior stakeholders, using sound judgement and political sensitivity. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of sector best practice and record changes in compliance requirements.
• Compliance Framework: Maintain the University’s compliance framework, including the compliance matrix, guidance documents and reporting calendar. Meet termly with operational compliance leads to review compliance status.
• Assurance & Audit: Support the Clerk and senior leadership in coordinating planned and ad hoc compliance checks and mock audits. Help identify areas for improvement and support Colleges and professional services in addressing gaps or breaches. Coordinate the internal audit programme, liaising with auditors to ensure timely reports and tracking implementation of recommendations. Provide regular updates to the University Strategy Group, Audit Committee and Council.
• Governance Framework & Records: Maintain governance documentation (e.g., constitutions, terms of reference, committee handbooks, annual business cycles, register of interests). Manage institutional records of committee papers, minutes and actions in line with retention policies. Publish governance and compliance information on the University website and intranet in line with sector best practice.
• Committee Member Support: Lead on the recruitment, induction and training of committee members as required. Provide guidance on governance and compliance responsibilities.
• Regulatory & Policy Monitoring: Monitor external developments (legislation, regulatory changes, sector guidance) and advise on implications for governance. Ensure policies are updated to reflect new requirements. Comply with all relevant legislation, including Data Protection, GDPR, Health & Safety, UKVI and Equality & Diversity.
• Legal Services Support: Support the Head of Governance and Compliance in ensuring the University receives high‑quality, cost‑effective legal advice. Track and monitor the University’s use of external legal firms for specialist matters. Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.

Benefits:

• A generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
• Training & development support opportunities
• Contributory pension scheme
• Discounted gym membership for our on‑site gym
• A range of staff discounts with major retailers

Qualifications:

• Education, Qualifications & Training: Degree‑level education or a relevant professional qualification.
• Knowledge & Experience: Experience of governance and/or compliance services across an organisation, working with senior leaders. Experience of delivering an excellent customer experience to all internal and external stakeholder groups. Knowledge of and up‑to‑date understanding of governance and/or compliance trends, regulation and best practice. Experience in advising senior managers and Board members on corporate and governance affairs.
• Skills: Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools. Ability to work autonomously and pro‑actively. Strong drive, commitment, persistence and resilience to lead and sustain change and improvement. Excellent attention to detail. Building and maintaining effective and productive relationships with senior colleagues internally to BNU and externally, working collaboratively to achieve goals and develop solutions.

Behavioural Indicators:

• Delivering excellent service: Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long‑term relationships to drive up customer service standards.
• Finding solutions: Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
• Using resources effectively: Identifying and making the most productive use of resources, including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Equal Opportunity Statement: BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e‑learning and/or inclusive recruitment training. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be under‑represented in BNU’S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles. Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role.

Application Process: For further information about this role please contact Emma Tomsett (Emma.Tomsett@bucks.ac.uk). All applications are to be made in full and online. Closing Date: 28 June 2026. Interview Date: w/c 6 July 2026. If you are invited to interview for this role, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and if on a visa, current visa and status. Sponsorship is dependent on the salary level of the position. Buckinghamshire New University is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.