Head of Governance

Head of Governance Hours: 15 hours per week (2 days) Contract: Permanent, term time plus 2 weeks Working pattern: Hybrid and flexible Salary: £57,775-£65,090 FTE (pro rata £19,868-£22,383) Shape governance. Enable excellence. Influence the future. This is an exceptional moment to join the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust (DCET). Since opening in March 2022 as one of the first Catholic multi-academy trusts in the Clifton Diocese, we have grown rapidly - from six founding schools to thirteen thriving primary schools across the South West. We now serve over 2,300 pupils, supported by 250 dedicated staff. And this is only the beginning. With the Bishop’s ambitious vision, the Trust is entering a new phase of growth - expanding to over 25 schools, spanning primary and secondary education, and serving children from nursery through to 18. This role sits at the heart of that journey. The opportunity: We are seeking an exceptional Head of Governance to lead, shape and elevate governance across our Trust. This is more than a technical role. It is a strategic leadership position with real influence. You will be the trusted adviser to the Trust Board, bringing clarity to complexity, assurance to decision-making, and integrity to every aspect of governance. You will not simply support governance. You will define what outstanding governance looks like in a growing Catholic Trust. You will work at the centre of the organisation, alongside trustees, executive leaders and governance professionals - ensuring that governance is not only compliant, but purposeful, intelligent and impactful. Accountable to the Trust Board and line managed by the Chair, you will also lead and develop the Governance Support Team. Your impact - In this role, you will: Lead governance with clarity and purpose Design and deliver a high-quality, future-ready governance support model aligned to Trust growth Ensure governance structures are effective, proportionate and strategically focused Build capacity and capability across the governance function Be the expert voice Provide authoritative advice on charity law, company law and the academy regulatory framework Guide trustees and leaders through complex, sensitive and high-stakes decisions Anticipate risk, surface key issues, and enable confident, informed governance Strengthen board effectiveness Shape board composition, ensuring the right blend of skills, experience and perspective Lead recruitment, induction and ongoing development of trustees Support evaluation, succession planning and continuous improvement Drive compliance and assurance Oversee company secretarial responsibilities and statutory compliance Lead on risk management, assurance frameworks and governance reporting Ensure governance is a driver of accountability, not just oversight Enable a culture of excellence Promote best practice, thought leadership and continuous improvement in governance Coach and support