Governance Lead

About the job

Key information

• Location: Devon, Torbay & Somerset with central offices in Totnes (Devon) and Ilminster (Somerset) (hybrid working available)
• Contract: 37 hours per week – 42 weeks
• Salary: Devon Grade T £51,356 – £55,605 (Actual salary £46,089 – £49,878)
• Closing Date: 9am 15 July
• Start: 1 September 2026

What will I be doing?

As a growing Trust we recognise the critical importance of effective governance and how integral it is to the strategic growth of our Trust. This role exists to ensure governance is strategic and compliant, delivering robust accountability and oversight of both financial and educational outcomes.

The Trust Governance Lead will uphold high standards of governance, ensuring the efficient operation of the Trust Board and its committees. The postholder will advise the Chair and CEO on governance strategy, compliance and best practice.

The Trust Governance Lead will ensure that all Board decisions are implemented in accordance with the Trust’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Academy Trust Handbook, and Department for Education (DfE) governance and accountability frameworks (including those previously issued by the Education and Skills Funding Agency – ESFA). They will work collaboratively with all key stakeholders including the Board of Trustees, Trust portfolio leads, the Diocese, local chairs, local advocate clerks, Headteachers and other governance experts, the Governance Lead will act as the Trust’s expert on governance and policy.

Within this role the Trust Governance Lead will be part of a team focused on providing the best quality provision for pupils in Trust schools. The Trust’s reputation is strong and a strategy for growth forms part of the Trust vision, this provides opportunities for creative and innovative thinking in order to help shape the future educational landscape.

The role combines strategic leadership with operational delivery, driving continuous improvement, supporting Trust growth, and strengthening governance across all levels. This will involve leading on advocate training and supporting Headteachers and Clerks on advocate recruitment and retention along with supporting local advocate clerks through a period of change is an integral part of this role.

This exciting role provides opportunities for personal learning and growth through working with forward looking and thinking individuals at different levels. As a key member of the central team the Trust talent management procedures and protocols will support you to flourish in this role and deliver exceptional results.

Supporting documents and information

How to Apply

If you decide to apply please complete our application form and return it to Rozel Ridgway at recruitment@acexcellence.co.uk by 9am on Wednesday 15 July. We may close the application deadline earlier depending upon the level of response.

Interview to be held as soon as possible.

We will ask you to bring documents with you to your interview, as this supports our pre-employment checks.

We would welcome and encourage you to speak to a member of the Central team regarding this exciting opportunity, and you can arrange this by contacting Rozel Ridgway at rozel.ridgway@acexcellence.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply now