Governance and Compliance Officer (Schools) in Leeds

Come and join us and make a difference. Are you someone who cares deeply about helping schools flourish? Would you like to play a key role at the heart of our diocesan work with over 230 schools and academies? Do you enjoy working with school leaders and governors to bring clarity, integrity and support to complex situations? We are looking to appoint an Education Governance and Compliance Officer to join our committed and highly supportive Education Team. This is a new and vital role that underpins much of the statutory, strategic and relational work of the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE).

You will work closely with the Director and Deputy Director of Education to lead diocesan support for school governance, admissions, academy processes, and DBE approvals, ensuring our schools and trusts receive clear, practical advice and that all necessary requirements are met. This is a varied role, rooted in working alongside schools and helping them navigate complex issues with confidence.

About the role

• Be the lead diocesan officer for governance and admissions, offering clear, practical advice to headteachers, governors, clergy and MAT leaders.
• Support schools directly, helping them to manage governance, admissions and organisational matters with confidence.
• Maintain accurate Diocesan governance records and ensure changes are recorded efficiently.
• Oversee academy and governance processes, working with legal teams, MATs, local authorities and the Department for Education.
• Support and administer the work of the Diocesan Board of Education, including agendas, papers, minutes and approvals.
• Support the development of guidance, systems and training to enable those working in schools, particularly governors and leaders.
• Work collaboratively as part of a small team committed to the flourishing of Church of England schools.

Every day is different and offers the opportunity to work closely with schools, support leaders and strengthen the systems that enable them to succeed.

Who we are looking for

We would particularly welcome applications from those who:

• Have experience of working within schools, education or governance, and understand the realities of school leadership.
• Bring experience in governance, compliance or education policy, and are keen to develop this further.
• Can interpret educational guidance and legislation and apply it in a way that is practical and helpful for schools.
• Communicate clearly and calmly, especially when dealing with complex or sensitive issues.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with headteachers, governors, clergy and partners.
• Are well organised and able to manage a range of responsibilities with care and attention to detail.
• Work in a way that reflects our values and supports schools to flourish.

We are looking for someone who combines professional rigour with a collaborative and approachable style, and who can work alone but also enjoys working as part of a small, supportive team.

Our Values

The Diocesan values, Loving, Living, Learning, are vital to the way we encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We aim to:

• Love God, the world and one another.
• Live in the world as it is, but, drawn by a vision of something better, we want to help individuals and communities flourish.
• Learn when we get things wrong, by listening and growing together.

The Diocese of Leeds is proud to be a Living Wage Employer. Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance (The Board) is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and the workplace and in avoiding unlawful discrimination. Accordingly, the Board will ensure that recruitment and selection, training and development, and promotion procedures result in no job applicant or employee receiving less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, class or caste, religious belief or lack of religious belief (unless this is an occupational requirement), disability, trade union membership or non-membership, gender or sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, responsibility for dependents or being a part‑time or fixed‑term worker. The Board’s objective is to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and otherwise treated solely on the basis of their relevant aptitudes, skills and abilities.

For clergy applying to this role, your Area/Suffragan Bishop must be informed of your applications at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, you must seek a Diocesan Bishop’s Licence in order to be eligible for a new role, and please be aware that granting a licence is subject to a CCSL from your Area/Suffragan Bishop. The Diocese of Leeds is currently unable to sponsor candidates without Right to Work in the UK. Candidates must have Right to Work in the UK to take up this role.