Head of Governance

Purpose of the Job

The purpose of this role is to provide best practice, governance and compliance to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive and Executive Directors. This covers governance, administration, regulatory compliance, and policy development. The post holder will lead the charity’s governance risk management systems and serve as Shaftesbury’s Corporate Governance Lead.

Main Duties To:

1. Lead on Corporate Governance, data protection compliance and corporate statutory matters for the charity, including insurance matters.

2. Work with the Trustees and the Chief Executive to ensure that Shaftesbury has a highly effective and fully compliant set of governance arrangements which align with the Charity Governance Code, and the Department for Education Governance Handbook for independent and maintained schools.

3. Lead the execution of legal documents, including signing as Company Secretary, when required.

4. Manage the Articles of Association for Shaftesbury Group companies, ensuring they are fit for purpose, advising trustees, members and directors accordingly.

5. Ensure that Board Committees are effective, adjusting terms of reference as necessary, liaising with the Board and Committee Chairs.

6. Facilitate Board, Committee meetings and AGM, including the taking of minutes and actions for the Full Board and AGM.

7. Support and oversee governances associated with the Education Directorate and the Care Operations Directorate.

8. Ensure that statutory records are kept up to date, including Companies House, the Charity Commission and the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

9. Work with the Chair of Trustees and CEO in support of awayday development.

10.Administer Trustee recruitment, support and training.

11.Be prepared to visit Shaftesbury services in order to develop further knowledge of the organisation.

Legal and Risk To:

1. Retain oversight of legal matters.

2. Work closely with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to understand the business risks, ensuring that Trustees are kept informed.

3. Support the ELT in the regular review and assessment of the Risk Management Policy and the Strategic and Operational Risk Registers to ensure effective operation of the risk management framework.

4. Liaise with external regulators and advisers such lawyers, auditors, Companies House, and the Charity Commission.

5. Lead the corporate Insurance function, providing annual review and triannual tender processes.

6. Instruct external advisors for specialist legal advice on corporate and contractual matters.

7. Establish and implement relevant policies and procedures to guide the internal audit.

8. function working with operational managers, project teams and the wider business.