School Governance Adviser

School Governance Adviser

Winchester Full-Time 40400 - 42600 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
Shared Services Partnership

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support governors and trustees to enhance educational outcomes for young people in Hampshire.
  • Company: Join Hampshire County Council, a top-performing local authority dedicated to children's welfare.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and access to mental health support.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while growing in a supportive team environment.
  • Qualifications: A degree or relevant experience in school governance is essential.
  • Other info: Travel within Hampshire is required; a valid driver's licence is necessary.

The predicted salary is between 40400 - 42600 Β£ per year.

Job Details

Job Reference: HCC623567

Salary Range: Β£48,948 – Β£54,423 per annum

Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 31 March 2026

Interview Date: 8 and 9 April 2026

Early applications are encouraged as we may close the advert ahead of the stated closing date.

The Role

Joining our high-performing and professional School Governance Team in the pivotal role of School Governance Adviser, you\’ll support governors and trustees to deliver great outcomes for children and young people across Hampshire. You\’ll help shape, strengthen and develop governance practice across our education community.

What you\’ll do

  • Manage and coordinate advice, support, recruitment, and training provided to governors and clerks to governance bodies.
  • Provide high-level advice, support and training to governing boards, sometimes in complex and challenging situations.
  • Design and deliver engaging training and development packages across various formats and audiences.
  • Coach and mentor governing boards to drive rapid improvement in governance.
  • Work both independently and collaboratively within a dynamic team environment.
  • Support the leadership and development of a team of administrative officers, clerks, and associate tutors, helping to build a strong and effective service.
  • Apply and further develop your knowledge of the regulatory framework for both academies and maintained schools.

What we\’re looking for

  • A degree or equivalent professional qualification, or substantial experience in a relevant professional role.
  • A strong understanding of school governance and awareness of current educational issues, along with their potential impact.
  • Substantial experience as a school governor.
  • Strong background in creating and delivering training, including leading sessions requiring high-level facilitation skills.
  • Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Confidence and professionalism in handling complex or sensitive governance matters.
  • Flexibility to work some evenings during term time.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the School Governance Adviser role, team and our values. The section \’About you\’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

  • Work in a collaborative, supportive environment where your expertise is valued and your development is encouraged.
  • Play a meaningful role in improving governance, helping schools and academies achieve positive outcomes for young people.
  • Be part of a respected and high performing team with a strong national reputation.
  • Access to Health Assured\’s comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
  • A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Other roles you may have experience of may include: Governor Support and Training Officer, School Governance Training Lead, Clerk and Governor Development Adviser, Governance Services Officer, School Governance Consultant, Governance and Compliance Adviser, School Leadership and Governance Adviser

Travel Requirements

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers\’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Additional Information

School Governance Adviser Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children\’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion

For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Maureen Bax, School Governance Team Manager on maureen.bax@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

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School Governance Adviser employer: Shared Services Partnership

Hampshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a flexible and inclusive working environment that empowers you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people across Hampshire. With a strong focus on professional development, you will have access to comprehensive training and support, alongside a competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join a forward-looking organisation recognised nationally for its high performance, where teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of our culture.
Shared Services Partnership

Contact Detail:

Shared Services Partnership Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land School Governance Adviser

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the current educational issues and governance frameworks in Hampshire. Understanding local challenges will help you engage effectively during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to improving outcomes for young people.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former school governors and governance advisers. They can provide insights into the role and share their experiences, which can be invaluable when discussing your understanding of school governance during the interview.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully delivered training or support in previous roles. Highlighting your facilitation skills and ability to drive improvement will set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 4

Be ready to showcase your strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement skills. Think of scenarios where you've navigated complex situations and how you can apply those experiences to support governing boards effectively.

We think you need these skills to ace School Governance Adviser

Strong understanding of school governance
Experience as a school governor
High-level facilitation skills
Training and development design
Excellent communication skills
Strategic thinking
Stakeholder engagement
Coaching and mentoring abilities
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks in education
Flexibility to work evenings during term time
Team leadership and development
Problem-solving skills
Adaptability to complex situations

Some tips for your application 🫑

Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the School Governance Adviser position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills, as this will help you tailor your application effectively.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any relevant experience you have in school governance or related roles. Be specific about your achievements and how they align with the requirements listed in the job description.

Demonstrate Your Values: The job description mentions the importance of values. Make sure to reflect on how your personal values align with those of Hampshire County Council and include examples in your application that demonstrate this alignment.

Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Use keywords from the job description and ensure that your application clearly addresses how you meet the qualifications and skills required for the position.

How to prepare for a job interview at Shared Services Partnership

✨Understand School Governance

Make sure you have a solid grasp of school governance structures and current educational issues. Be prepared to discuss how these factors impact the role of governors and trustees, as this will demonstrate your expertise and relevance to the position.

✨Showcase Your Training Skills

Since the role involves designing and delivering training, be ready to share examples of past training sessions you've facilitated. Highlight your ability to engage diverse audiences and adapt your approach based on their needs.

✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've used strategic thinking to solve complex problems in governance. This could involve coaching boards or managing challenging situations, so have relevant examples at the ready.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

The role requires working both independently and as part of a team. Be sure to illustrate your experience in collaborative environments, showcasing how you contribute to team success while also being able to work autonomously.

School Governance Adviser
Shared Services Partnership
Location: Winchester

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