Interim Governance and Operations Manager

Governance & Operations Lead

Location: South East England

Salary: Day Rate

Contract Length: September - Easter

We are looking for an experienced Governance & Operations professional to play a pivotal role in supporting our Trust through an exciting period of development and growth. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a collaborative leadership team, providing expert governance support while contributing to operational excellence across the Trust. Whether your background is in governance, operations, or both, you will bring strong organisational leadership, sound judgement, and the ability to build effective relationships with senior leaders, trustees and external stakeholders.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Head of Governance and senior leaders, you will ensure that governance arrangements, operational compliance and organisational processes are effective, efficient and aligned with statutory and regulatory requirements.

You will support the Trust''s Board and committee structure, oversee governance processes, contribute to operational planning, and provide assurance that key compliance and risk management activities are delivered effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Governance

• Provide high-quality governance advice to senior leaders, trustees and governors.
• Manage the annual cycle of Board and committee meetings, including agenda planning and clerking.
• Produce accurate agendas, reports and high-quality minutes.
• Monitor and follow up agreed actions from meetings.
• Maintain GovernorHub and support trustees and governors in its effective use.
• Coordinate trustee and governor recruitment, induction and ongoing development.
• Lead the Trust''s policy review process and maintain the Policy Register.
• Coordinate the Trust''s formal complaints process.
• Ensure compliance with statutory governance and publication requirements.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for governance queries across the Trust.

Operations & Compliance

• Support operational planning and organisational delivery across the Trust.
• Contribute to operational risk management and maintenance of the Trust Risk Register.
• Support compliance with health and safety, data protection and statutory obligations.
• Prepare reports and assurance information for senior leaders, Trustees and Board committees.
• Work collaboratively on projects relating to estates, IT, compliance and organisational improvement.
• Contribute to operational planning associated with Trust growth and organisational change.
• Support senior leaders with strategic and operational projects as required.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience supporting Board-level governance within education or another regulated sector.
• Excellent understanding of governance legislation, compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Experience preparing Board papers, agendas and high-quality minutes.
• Strong relationship management skills with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent ICT skills and confidence using governance and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of GovernorHub or similar governance software.
• Experience managing complaints, policies or compliance processes.
• Understanding of risk management and corporate assurance.
• A commitment to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.
• Flexibility to attend occasional evening Board meetings.

We''d particularly welcome candidates with experience of:

• Multi-Academy Trust governance.
• Operational leadership within education.
• Estates, facilities or compliance management.
• IT, digital infrastructure or data protection.
• Supporting organisational growth, mergers or change programmes.
• Delivering training to governors, trustees or senior stakeholders.

What You''ll Bring

You will be highly organised, collaborative and solutions-focused, with the confidence to advise senior leaders while remaining approachable and supportive. You''ll enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, and will be motivated by making a positive impact across our schools.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of a growing Trust, working with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.

You''ll have the opportunity to influence governance, strengthen operational excellence and contribute to the continued success and growth of the organisation while developing your own professional expertise in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Please apply to find out more.