Director of Governance

Join Barnsley College, one of the most successful further education colleges in the region, as they seek to appoint a new Director of Governance to support the College’s mission to improve life chances for all.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Friday 8^th August 2025

Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire

About Barnsley College

Barnsley College is the leading further education provider in South Yorkshire. With a wide catchment area and a broad provision, we are privileged to provide education and training to over 10,000 students each year. When joining us, students are able to enrol on A levels, T levels, apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships and higher education, all in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment across 12 different sites.

We pride ourselves on offering a diverse provision and work in partnership with local stakeholders to ensure that this meets local needs, ensuring that our students will have opportunities to progress at the end of their courses. This provision extends across areas, such as performing arts, digital and media, horticulture, travel & tourism, engineering and construction.

Our campuses offer purpose-built settings, ensuring our students learn in industry-standard facilities and within an environment that reflects their future workplaces. We are also very proud to be a part of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology, where we work in partnership with other local providers to deliver world-class technical education and training.

About the role

We recognise that our Governance plays a vital role in our success as we strive for excellence through continuous improvement. With our current Director of Governance, Heather Jackson, stepping down from the role to take retirement after many years of dedicated service, we now seek to appoint her successor to our leadership team.

The appointed candidate will have responsibility for all matters relating to our Board, ensuring that our governance remains effective and that the College continues to be compliant with all statutory and regulatory frameworks as required.

As Director of Governance, you will act as the Clerk to the Governing Body and its associated sub-committees, which are:

• Remuneration Committee
• Audit & Risk Committee
• Governance & Search Committee

In this role, you will be a trusted advisor and supporter to your colleagues within the senior leadership team, along with providing full and comprehensive secretariat and advisory support to all members of our Board of Governors and act as Company Secretary to its subsidiaries.

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.

Who we are looking for

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.

A key strength of our current governance function is the high-quality tailored induction, training and development that is provided for our governors. The successful candidate will be tasked with leading all aspects of this and maintaining our high standards to ensure our governors feel supported throughout their terms of office.

In this regard, candidates must have experience of developing board members so that each is able to not just understand the expectations of the role, but to enable them to carry out their public duties as required.

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 Barnsley 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.

For further information about the role and to register your interest, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners: https://www.peridotpartners.co.uk/jobs/director-of-governance-barnsley-college/

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 8^th August 2025.