Governance Manager

Are you an experienced Clerk/Governance Professional looking to take the next step in your career? Do you have an eagle eye for detail, a proactive mindset, and a passion for supporting primary education?

EFSPT, a well-established Multi-Academy Trust of 15 Primary Schools and one Special School, all based in the Epping Forest district, is seeking an outstanding Governance Manager to lead governance support across the Trust and its 16 Local Governing Committees while promoting the Trust’s Values.

Governance Manager Hours: Part-Time (20 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid / Central Office with travel to Trust schools
Salary: Scale 9

About the Role
As our Governance Manager, you will be the driving force behind seamless, high-quality compliance and governance across the Trust. Working directly with the Local Governing Committees (LGCs), Executive Leadership and the Trust Board Clerk, you will ensure our governance framework continues to be robust, efficient and fully aligned with statutory requirements to have a positive impact on the pupils we serve. This is a flexible, part-time role designed for someone who thrives on organisation, proactive problem-solving and clear communication.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Oversight: Maintain and develop the Trust’s governance framework, schemes of delegation, and compliance tracking.
Advisory and Support: Provide expert guidance to Trustees, Local Governors and Headteachers on governance regulations, Trust policies and best practices while keeping up to date with the current evidence-based thinking regarding local governance.
Quality Assurance: Oversee and line-manage the LGC Clerks ensuring agendas, minutes and statutory registers are completed to an exceptional standard.
Proactive Management: Maintain the Trust’s central compliance systems, managing updates for GIAS, Companies House and statutory website disclosures.
Training and Development: Coordinate induction and ongoing training programmes for new and existing Governors and Trustees.

About You
Clerking Background: Proven experience as a Clerk to Governors or Governance Officer, ideally within a Multi-Academy Trust or school environment.
Proactive and Independent: A self-starter who anticipates needs, spots potential compliance gaps before they arise, and takes initiative to drive improvements. You will need a meticulous eye for detail.
Strong Communicator: Skilled at building positive, professional relationships with Trustees, Governors and Senior Leadership Teams.

What We Offer

A supportive, collaborative Central Trust Team.

• Flexible working pattern (20 hours per week) tailored to suit both the Trust and the successful candidate.

• Continuous professional development and networking opportunities.

For more information on the Trust, please visit the EFSPT website at www.efspt.org

If you wish to have an informal discussion, please contact our CEO, Graham Clifford, at gclifford@efspt.org

Closing date: 2 November 2026, midday

Interviews: Wednesday 11 November 2026