Governance lead - colleges in Birmingham

• Job Description & Person Specification

About the role

We are looking for a Governance Lead to join our Governance team at Sense. This is a fantastic opportunity to take the lead on governance arrangements across our colleges, ensuring our governing bodies are supported, informed and equipped to provide effective oversight and decision-making. This is a part time role working 28 hours per week, on a hybrid basis with 2-3 days per week from our Birmingham office.

You will play an important role in maintaining high standards of governance, supporting compliance and helping our colleges continue to deliver high-quality education and opportunities for young people with complex disabilities. Reporting to our Head of Governance, you will take responsibility for the effective coordination and delivery of governance across Sense Colleges.

You will work closely with college governors, chairs of governing bodies, principals and senior colleagues, providing expert guidance on governance processes and ensuring meetings, policies and procedures operate effectively. You'll also contribute to our wider organisational governance framework, supporting the Head of Governance with board and committee activities across Sense.

Key responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating governance arrangements across Sense Colleges, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations and constitutional requirements.
• Acting as clerk to local governing bodies and the overarching governing body, organising meetings, preparing agendas, coordinating papers and maintaining accurate records.
• Providing advice and guidance to governors, chairs and college leaders on governance procedures and responsibilities.
• Maintaining governance documentation, including terms of reference, schemes of delegation, registers and policies.
• Coordinating governor recruitment, onboarding, induction and visits to colleges.
• Ensuring college websites meet statutory governance information requirements.
• Supporting colleges with governance-related preparations for Ofsted inspections.
• Working with the wider Governance team to support Sense board and committee activities, policies and procedures.
• Deputising for the Head of Governance when required.

About you

We are looking for a highly organised, proactive governance professional who can build strong relationships, manage competing priorities and provide confident, practical advice. You will understand the importance of effective governance in education and be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, handling confidential information and ensuring regulatory requirements are met.

To be successful, you will need:

• Relevant experience working in a governance role, with an understanding of education governance.
• Experience supporting governing bodies or committees, including preparing papers and coordinating meetings.
• Strong knowledge of governance procedures, policies and regulatory requirements.
• Experience building effective relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Experience providing high-level, confidential administrative support.
• Excellent attention to detail, sound judgement and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• A collaborative approach and a genuine commitment to the values and mission of Sense.
• Confidence using IT systems, interpreting policies and procedures, and identifying opportunities to improve governance processes.

Our Values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers:

• We're creating change
• We're always learning
• We're better together

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

Closing Date

16/11/2026

We're here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs.

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Contact us Sense

101 Pentonville Road
London N1 9LG

750 Bristol Road
Birmingham B29 6NA

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