Overview

Are you ready to lead on governance that inspires trust, strengthens integrity, and empowers strategic futures? As a Group Director of Governance you will be enabling our Governing Body to discharge their duties to the highest standards. The role will facilitate effective working between governors and senior leaders to support the Group to pursue our Mission and achieve our Strategic Plan in line with our values. The role will also be responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of the Local Boards of our six Colleges and EKC Training business unit, ensuring that the Group overall identifies and responds to the needs of our local communities. As a senior post holder, you will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chair, ensuring that the Governance of the Group is highly effective, providing support and independent guidance to the Governing Body and its Committees on statutory, constitutional and procedural matters. The role will support the Governing Body to assess that it has the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience, whilst being representative of the communities we serve. This includes responsibility for the recruitment process for new governors and ensuring that there are robust and focused development programmes in place. Whilst we are advertising the role as 30 hours per week (4 full days), we would consider the equivalent of 3 days per week for a candidate with the right knowledge, skills and experience. (Please note the salary will be pro-rated accordingly depending on hours per week worked). The role will ideally be based in Broadstairs but would require travel across our sites when needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide governance leadership to enable the Governing Body to discharge duties to the highest standards and support effective working between governors and senior leaders.
• Oversee the smooth operation of Local Boards of the six Colleges and EKC Training business unit, ensuring the Group identifies and responds to local community needs.
• Support the Chief Executive Officer and the Chair with independent guidance on statutory, constitutional and procedural matters.
• Assist the Governing Body in assessing and maintaining the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience, with robust development programmes for new governors.
• Manage recruitment processes for new governors and ensure appropriate development opportunities are in place.
• Communicate effectively at board level and advise on matters of corporate governance and public responsibilities.

Qualifications

• You will have a good and demonstrable understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing education, including the principles of Standards in Public Life.
• You will be a highly effective communicator who is able to engage at Board level.
• You will have experience of advising at board level on matters of corporate governance and public responsibilities.
• You will be educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Outstanding Ofsted Provider.

About EKC Group

East Kent Colleges Group is an Ofsted Outstanding rated provider. It is proud to be the first General Further Education college organisation in the country to have received the Outstanding grade against each of the strands under the new Ofsted inspection framework. An inclusive provider, our colleagues place our students and the communities we serve at the heart of everything they do across EKC Group and this is illustrated in our 'Strong' skills grading by Ofsted.

Commitment to Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and we ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities for upholding these principles. As a designated establishment, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore have an obligation to carry out checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. These checks include conviction/caution self-declaration, Enhanced DBS check and obtaining sufficient referencing.

Salary and Hours

Salary (for 30 hours): £55,565 per year.

Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave - 38 days FTE per annum
• Competitive Pension Scheme - 18% employer contribution
• Learning and Development Opportunities - 3-4 annual paid group development days and bespoke programmes (e.g., Senior Leadership Development Programme) with strong internal progression (1 in 3 roles are filled by internal progression)
• Culture and Recognition - Community Days, an Annual Staff Celebration Day, and a commitment to net-zero by 2030
• Wellbeing and Health Support - Generous sick pay, health checks, free flu jabs, free eye tests, glasses vouchers, flexible support for medical appointments and return-to-work support
• Exclusive Discounts & Perks - Discounts on restaurant, grocery, retail, holidays, car leasing and tech purchasing schemes
• Flexible Personal Leave - Time off for your child’s first day at nursery/school/college, moving home and for interviews