Director of Governance (Part-time 0.6 FTE) | Northampton College

At Northampton College, our students are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring they receive an outstanding education that enables them to succeed regardless of starting point or aspired destination. We are looking to engage a new Director of Governance who will bring not just their expertise but also the same ambition and passion for our students, our people and our College.

Who we are

Northampton College is a general further education (GFE) college in the East Midlands with 11,000 students across a range of academic levels studying full- and part-time programmes and apprenticeships. It operates from:

• A main campus on the outskirts of Northampton in a densely populated, predominantly working-class suburb
• A town centre campus
• A campus in the smaller town of Daventry

Data released as part of the latest 2022/23 National Achievement Rates Tables (NART) shows Northampton College is one of the highest achieving colleges in the country and the highest achieving in the Southeast Midlands. The College was rated first for its English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) provision, 10th for its adult provision and given an overall rating of fifth nationally. National Apprenticeship data has also revealed an overall achievement rate 10 percentage points higher than the national average.

These ratings cement Northampton College’s position as the leading provider of further education in the Midlands, placing it amongst the very best in the whole country, thanks to a continuing and determined focus on ensuring each individual student reaches their full potential.

About the role

To support our ongoing commitment to impactful governance, the College is seeking a skilled Director of Governance to advise, coordinate and ensure effective liaison between our Chair of Governors, our external governors, our staff and student governors, our Principal and CEO and other senior leaders. The post reports to the Chair of Governors but requires close liaison with other governors and the Principal and CEO.

The Corporation undertook two external reviews of governance for the year ended July 2024. These reviews were conducted by Stone King and Assynt Lead & Learn, respectively. The reviews identified strengths in governance, including strong evidence that the Board was proficient and consistently had a positive impact on College strategy, outcomes and effectiveness. The Corporation has adopted an action plan to respond to recommendations, including those relating to:

• Governance self-assessments
• Link governor scheme
• Board reporting framework and strategic events
• Induction
• Risk management
• Governor succession planning

Who we are looking for

As Director of Governance, you will be the trusted advisor, support and clerk to the Governing Body and its Committees, providing full and comprehensive secretariat and advisory support to our Chair, Anne-Marie Kilday, and the Corporation Members (Governors). You will be responsible for advising the Board on constitutional matters, duties, and powers within the current legislative framework and undertake research and development activities to ensure the approach to governance is based on sector best practice. In line with this, we need you to support us in developing an appropriate process for self-evaluation and alignment to relevant Codes of Good Governance, such as the Association of Colleges.

You will be a strong networker and communicator who is comfortable with presenting to the Board and working with other governance professionals to drive best practice across the sector. You will work closely with the Principal & CEO, Jason Lancaster, and the Chair of the Board, Anne-Marie Kilday, to ensure that governance and associated matters are developed and driven to the very highest standard. This will be achieved by not only being an outstanding governance professional but also by building trusted relationships with all board members and the senior leadership team.

You will apply your experience to confidently lead and develop improvements to the governance structures, systems, and processes, and an ability to develop the Board’s strategic oversight of risk, compliance and constructive challenge will be welcomed. Recognising the Board’s role in ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance, you will also lead the approach to organisational policy development and review, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team in a supportive and advisory capacity. To ensure the Board is enabled to make the best decisions based on the information provided by the senior leadership team, your review of the reporting style and approach will be welcomed, to ensure transparency and consistency.

You will be the ‘conscience’ of the College by providing independent, high-quality guidance on statutory, constitutional, operational, procedural and ethical issues as they affect the Board, its committees and subsidiaries.

You will also lead all aspects of Board induction and ongoing development, to ensure our governors are supported and developed throughout their terms of office. Through an ongoing review of the Board’s membership, you will ensure the skills and experience of the Board complement the strategic ambitions and the Governors reflect the diversity of our communities.

In line with the focus on governance development – and the activities the College undertake to support this – you must have experience of developing board members and enabling them to fully understand and carry out the public duties expected of them. Working closely with the Chair and the Chairs of Committees, in close collaboration with our Principal & CEO, and wider senior leadership team, you will plan and manage the business of the Board and ensure people are briefed and papers are timely and appropriate for the audience.

You will co-ordinate link governor activities to ensure that Governors understand or College, can triangulate their understanding of it an contribute to its ongoing development.

With all of this in mind, we are looking to appoint an experienced and qualified governance professional with substantial previous experience as Director of Governance, Governance Lead, Head of Governance and/or Board/Company Secretary.

Whilst we would ideally like candidates to have experience in supporting a further education governing body, what is more important to us is your ability to quickly grasp the legislative requirements expected of our Board and the regulatory environment in which our College operates. It is vital that you have a strong desire to work for a forward-thinking education and skills provider which enhances the life chances of thousands of people each year.

Some flexibility is expected in this role, especially over busy periods, and when additional hours are worked these may be taken back at a quieter time. Flexible working, including some working from home will be possible in this role by agreement with the College.

Peridot Partners and Northampton College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click ‘Apply Now’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 30th May.