At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape education and influence communities as a volunteer governor.
- Company: Join Boards for Education, a charity dedicated to improving educational outcomes.
- Benefits: Gain board-level experience, enhance your CV, and expand your professional network.
- Other info: Flexible time commitment of 1-2 days per month with training and support provided.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on local growth and social mobility while developing leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strategic thinking and commitment to helping others succeed; prior education experience not required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Role available in the Shipley area.
Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom? By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.
Further education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts. As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.
This is an opportunity to:
- Apply your corporate skills in a leadership role
- Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
- Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
- Support a vital sector during a time of transformation
What will you be doing?
As part of a governing board, you’ll:
- Set strategic direction: help define the college’s mission and goals
- Hold leadership to account: monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
- Ensure governance excellence: make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
- Act as a charity trustee: ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance
You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.
Who are we looking for?
We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:
- Finance, Audit & Risk
- HR, People & Culture
- Strategy, Transformation & Operations
- Technology, AI & Digital
- Legal, Governance & Compliance
- Marketing, PR & Communications
- Education, apprenticeships, or vocational courses
What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed. Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.
Time commitment
Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:
- Attending board and committee meetings (in person or remote)
- Reading papers and preparing questions
- Participating in training and occasional college visits
The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.
Where you’ll be needed
Some colleges offer remote governance and meetings take place online. This may suit you best, or we may suggest a role where you volunteer on a hybrid basis at a college within a reasonable distance from you. We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly.
What’s in it for you?
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Enhance your board-level and governance experience
- Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role
- Expand your professional network
- Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact
About Boards for Education
Boards for Education is a charity that sources and supports volunteers for governing boards. We aim to improve educational outcomes for children, young people, and adult learners by strengthening governance across the education sector. With more than 25 years’ experience and a national network of partners, we connect schools, academy trusts, colleges, and education charities across England and Wales with skilled, independent volunteers.
Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role? If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.
Strategic FE Governor - Shape Education & Local Growth employer: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the community. As a Treasurer Volunteer, you will enjoy flexible commitments while working alongside passionate individuals dedicated to promoting disability inclusion. The supportive work culture fosters personal growth and offers unique opportunities to contribute to innovative solutions for disabled individuals.
Contact Details:
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic FE Governor - Shape Education & Local Growth
✨Connect with Local Educational Institutions
Get involved with universities and colleges in your area, especially those that offer adult continuing education programmes. Attend open days or even guest lectures to network with faculty members and find out about potential job openings before they even get advertised.
✨Leverage Professional Education Networks
Join professional networks focused on adult education, such as the Adult Learning Australia or the International Society for Technology in Education. These communities often have job boards or can point you towards opportunities at places like Business & Human Rights Resource Centre just waiting for the right candidate!
✨Showcase Your Passion for Lifelong Learning
In your interviews, share your own experiences and thoughts on lifelong learning. Highlight any courses or workshops you've taken recently to demonstrate your commitment to personal development and the importance of education. This is a big plus for roles in this field!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out our careers page at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Applying directly through our website not only makes your application stand out but also shows you're genuinely interested in joining us. We love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic FE Governor - Shape Education & Local Growth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience in Education:When crafting your CV for the Strategic FE Governor - Shape Education & Local Growth role, make sure to emphasise any relevant experience in adult or continuing education. This could be teaching credentials, training sessions you've facilitated, or programmes you’ve developed. The more specific you can be about your contributions and outcomes, the better!
Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills:In the adult continuing education sector, strong communication and interpersonal skills are key. Use your cover letter to share specific examples of how you’ve worked with diverse groups or handled different learning styles. Let us see how you've engaged learners—you’re selling your teaching style here!
Connect Your Passion to Our Mission:At Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, we value candidates who resonate with our mission to empower lifelong learners. Make sure your cover letter reflects your passion for adult education and your alignment with our goals. A genuine connection can really make your application stand out!
Keep it Professional Yet Personable:While it’s important to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. We’re looking for someone who can connect with our learners, so a friendly, approachable tone can help convey that vibe in your written materials. Apply through our website and let us see the real you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
✨Showcase Your Passion for Lifelong Learning
When interviewing for a role in adult continuing education at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, it's super important to highlight your passion for lifelong learning. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to education and how you've fostered a love for learning in others – this is something hiring managers love to see!
✨Prepare for Adult Education Methodologies
Be ready to dive into your knowledge of andragogy and educational theories during the interview. Expect questions about how you would adapt your teaching styles for adult learners – think about specific strategies you’ve used in the past and be prepared to discuss how they positively impacted your students.
✨Discuss Your Experience with Diverse Learners
At Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, you’ll likely encounter a diverse range of adult learners, so don’t shy away from discussing your experience with different demographics. Be prepared to share your successes in engaging learners from varied backgrounds, and how your approach has adapted to meet their unique needs.
✨Demonstrate Your Ability to Collaborate
Given that this is a full-time role, teamwork will be essential. Be ready to talk about your experiences working in collaborative settings, whether it be with fellow educators, administrators, or community partners. Highlight specific projects where your collaborative efforts contributed to successful educational outcomes.