Clerk to the Governors and Compliance Officer in Somerset

Millfield School is seeking an experienced, highly professional governance specialist to join us as Clerk to the Governors and Compliance Officer. This is a senior, assurance‑focused role that plays a critical part in enabling effective, compliant and high‑quality governance across the School.

About the Role

As the School’s governance professional and Company Secretary, you will provide authoritative procedural advice and operational support to the Governing Body, its Committees and the Chair of Governors, while also working closely with the Finance Director. With a dual reporting line to both, you will ensure that governance, compliance, policy and risk frameworks are well‑structured, transparent and robust.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising the Governing Body on its statutory, regulatory, safeguarding and fiduciary duties, and ensuring governance arrangements comply with the Governing Instrument, charity and company law.
• Planning and servicing Governing Body and Committee meetings, including agenda planning, high‑quality papers, accurate minutes, decision records and statutory documentation.
• Acting as Company Secretary, maintaining statutory registers and ensuring all Charity Commission and Companies House submissions are completed accurately and on time.
• Providing oversight of compliance, policy review, risk and audit frameworks, giving assurance to Governors that arrangements remain effective, proportionate and current.
• Supporting Governor recruitment, induction, training and succession planning, including safeguarding and regulatory checks.
• Advising on and supporting complaints, appeals and other formal panels, providing procedural guidance and liaising with external advisers where required.
• Overseeing subject access requests, data protection matters, whistleblowing arrangements and governance aspects of legal and insurance enquiries.
• Horizon‑scanning for governance and regulatory developments and advising the Governing Body on potential impact.

This role requires exceptional judgement, discretion and confidence in working with senior stakeholders, as well as the ability to manage complex information and deadlines with precision.

About You

You will bring proven experience in governance, compliance, company secretarial, legal administration or a closely related field. You will be highly organised, credible and confident in providing clear, proportionate advice, with excellent written communication and minute‑taking skills. Integrity, professionalism and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters are essential. A legal background is desirable but not essential.

Working Hours & Salary:

Hours of work: Full-time, year-round role working 37.5 hours per week, 9.00am–5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Salary: Competitive, based on skills and experience.

Closing date: 24th May 2026. Please note that applications will be considered on receipt, and as a result the vacancy may close early should an appointment be made. As such we would recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.

Millfield School is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all. We are a community that celebrates diversity, supporting our pupils and employees to be brilliant as individuals. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Specific safeguarding responsibilities for this position are outlined in the job description. Offers of employment are subject to satisfactory safeguarding checks including, but not limited to, Enhanced DBS clearance. All positions within the school are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Be kind, be individual, be brilliant. Millfield School, where being an individual is recognised as the key to brilliance.