Governance Professional

• Governance Professional
• Full and part-time roles available

Salary: £26,813–£36,075 FTE, depending on experience (pro rata for part-time or term time roles)

Working pattern: Full-time and part-time applications considered, with flexible working supported

Location: Hybrid working, with regular travel to the Berry Head Office, Academy Trusts and schools across the North East and online support provided nationally.

Are you organised, confident in working with senior people and able to turn complex discussions into clear, accurate records?

Perhaps you already work in school or trust governance—or maybe you have strong transferable skills gained through executive or committee support, compliance, administration, legal services, HR, professional services or another role requiring sound judgement and excellent organisation.

Berry Education is growing, and we are looking for Governance Professionals to join our friendly and collaborative team.

About Berry Education

Berry Education supports trusts and schools with high-quality governance services, advice and practical delivery.

About the role

As a Governance Professional, you will support a portfolio of trusts and schools across the North East, alongside providing online governance support nationally.

The role combines relationship management, meeting and board support, accurate governance administration, procedural guidance, assurance work and the effective use of technology.

Your responsibilities will include

• Building trusted professional relationships with chairs, trustees, governors, executive leaders and school staff.
• Supporting the planning and delivery of board, committee and local governing body meetings.
• Preparing agendas and papers and helping clients manage their annual governance cycle.
• Attending meetings in person and online, including agreed evening meetings.
• Producing clear, accurate and minutes that demonstrate appropriate support and challenge.
• Maintaining action records and supporting boards to monitor completion, accountability and impact.
• Providing timely procedural and governance advice before, during and after meetings, with access to senior support for complex or specialist matters.
• Supporting effective meeting procedure, including quorum, declarations and conflicts of interest, voting, confidential business and the recording of decisions.
• Maintaining governance records and supporting clients with relevant publications, filings and returns.
• Supporting formal panels and hearing, including complaints, suspensions, permanent exclusions, admissions or other governance-related proceedings, where allocated and appropriate to experience and training.
• Contributing to governance assurance, compliance, quality review and continuous improvement.

You will use Trust Gov, our purpose built board effectiveness and assurance software, to reduce administrative burden and support efficient, consistent governance delivery.

You will also help clients and colleagues make effective use of its meeting, action, policy, compliance and assurance features.

Who we are looking for

Previous school or trust governance experience would be valuable, but it is not essential.

We are equally interested in applicants who can demonstrate strong transferable skills and the ability to learn.

You may have experience in executive or committee support, education, public or third-sector administration, compliance, legal services, professional services or another role requiring comparable judgement and organisation.

You will need

• Excellent written English and the ability to produce accurate, concise and well-structured records.
• Strong planning, organisation and time-management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple meetings, deadlines and client commitments reliably.
• Confidence communicating with people in different roles and at varying levels of seniority.
• Sound judgement and the confidence to provide impartial advice, challenge constructively and escalte concerns appropriately.
• High levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism.
• Confidence using Microsoft 365 or comparable tools, online meetings, shared workspaces and web-based systems.
• The ability to work independently in a hybrid role while contributing positively to a supportive team.
• An openness to feedback, learning and continued professional development.

A relevant governance qualification is desirable but not essential.

Support, training and development will be provided according to the successful applicant’s experience and development needs.

Practical requirements - the role requires

• A full driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle.
• Regular travel to client sites across the North East.
• Availability to attend agreed evening meetings, both in person and online.
• The ability to work effectively from home and attend agreed team or client locations.

Meeting commitments and working patterns will be planned as fairly and flexibly as service requirements allow.

What we offer

• Salary of £26,813–£36,075 FTE, depending on experience and pro rata for part-time/term time roles.
• Full-time and part-time opportunities.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• A genuine commitment to supporting employee work-life balance.
• A collaborative, team-based workplace with access to advice, peer support and shared expertise.
• A structured induction and ongoing professional support.
• Investment in training and continued professional development, including access to our wider support network from CST, TGP & NGA.
• Access to Trust Gov, our purpose-built software that reduces unnecessary administrative burden.
• Opportunities for career development and progression as Berry Education continues to grow.
• Safeguarding

Berry Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK and undertake the pre-employment checks relevant to the role, including a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Berry Education welcomes applications from people with different backgrounds and career paths.

We are interested in what you can contribute, your capacity to learn and your commitment to working constructively with colleagues and clients.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process.

• Interview date: To be confirmed
• Proposed start date: As soon as possible
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