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- Tasks: Lead governance for East Surrey College, ensuring effective and lawful operations.
- Company: Join a dynamic educational institution committed to excellence and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension schemes, holiday package, and gym access.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education governance while working flexibly.
- Qualifications: Strong governance experience, ideally in education, with excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early!
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: East Surrey College / John Ruskin College
Working Pattern: 3 days a week, Term Time only for 36 weeks
Hours: Flexible, with governor meetings typically 4–6pm
Working Days: Tuesday–Thursday (Thursday fixed for governor meetings; some flexibility available. This role would be a mixture of on Site and Hybrid)
Salary: £70,000 per annum (pro rated to £35,635.38 for 36 weeks)
Interviews: 16th January 2026
We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Director of Governance to support the Corporation of East Surrey College / John Ruskin College. This senior role ensures that the Governing Body operates effectively, lawfully, and in line with best practice, providing independent, impartial advice to the Chair, CEO/Principal, and all Board Members. You will play a central role in maintaining the crucial working relationship between the Chair, CEO/Principal, and Director of Governance, ensuring alignment, trust, and strong communication at the heart of College leadership.
Key Responsibilities- Ensure the Corporation and its Committees operate within statutory, regulatory, and best practice frameworks.
- Provide expert, impartial governance advice and briefings to the Board and Executive.
- Lead the strategic development and continuous improvement of governance across the College Group, including subsidiaries.
- Organise and support all Corporation and Committee meetings, ensuring high-quality agendas, papers, and minutes.
- Manage governor recruitment, induction, development, and succession planning.
- Maintain compliance with Codes of Conduct, GDPR, FOI, safeguarding, and all statutory obligations.
- Oversee governance records, registers, and effective data management.
- ICSA/HE (Level 5) Award in Governance for Clerks or a comparable qualification (or willingness to work towards)
- Maths and English GCSEs (or Level 2 equivalents) or willingness to work towards
- A degree or equivalent is desirable
We are looking for someone with strong Governance experience, ideally within the education or public sector who is highly organised, detail-focused, and confident in advising senior leaders. The successful candidate will demonstrate professionalism, integrity, impartiality, and excellent communication skills, and will be fully aligned with our values.
BenefitsIn return, we offer a competitive salary, as well as staff benefits such as choice of two excellent pension schemes, a brilliant holiday package, free onsite parking and access to our fully equipped gym along with discounted in house Spa and Salon treatments.
Applications will however be shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview and appoint before this closing date. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.
As much as we would love to respond to all applicants, due to the sheer volume of applications we receive we are unable to respond to all unsuccessful candidates.
Orbital South Colleges Group are committed to Equal Opportunities, encouraging applications from all sectors of the community to reflect our diverse student population. We are also committed to PREVENT and Safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Both College Campus are smoke-free zones.
As part of our pre-employment checks, successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS, references will be taken and evidence of all qualifications and awards will also be required before commencement of employment. Failure to do so may lead to offers being withdrawn.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as we do not sponsor work permits, and work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.
Director of Governance employer: East Surrey College / John Ruskin College
Contact Detail:
East Surrey College / John Ruskin College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Governance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector or governance field. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the college's governance structure and recent developments. Being well-informed will help us impress the interview panel and show that we’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. This will help us refine our answers and boost our confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows that you’re keen on joining our team at East Surrey College / John Ruskin College.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role of Director of Governance. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Governance Experience: We want to see your strong governance background, especially in education or the public sector. Share specific examples of how you've provided impartial advice and supported senior leaders in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read, so make sure your key points stand out and avoid unnecessary jargon.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We shortlist on a rolling basis, so applying early increases your chances of being considered. Head over to our website and get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at East Surrey College / John Ruskin College
✨Know Your Governance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on governance frameworks, especially those relevant to the education sector. Familiarise yourself with statutory obligations and best practices so you can confidently discuss how you would ensure compliance and effectiveness in your role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Director of Governance, you'll need to communicate effectively with senior leaders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully advised boards or committees in the past, highlighting your ability to provide impartial advice and maintain strong relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in governance situations. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them, particularly around managing meetings and ensuring high-quality documentation.
✨Align with Their Values
Research East Surrey College and John Ruskin College's values and mission. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, and demonstrate your commitment to safeguarding and equal opportunities during the interview.
