Governance Business Partner

St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Salary: NJC SCP 30-35 (£40,777 - £46,142 per annum)

Hours: 37 hours per week, full-time, all year round (including evening meetings)

Contract: Permanent

Reporting to: Head of Governance

Location: Trust Headquarters, Port of Liverpool Building, Liverpool, with regular travel across SJCMAT schools

Start Date: September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

Help Shape Governance Across a Growing Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Are you an experienced governance, compliance or business support professional looking for an opportunity to make a strategic impact across a growing family of schools?

St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust is seeking an outstanding Governance Business Partner to join our central governance team at an exciting stage in our development.

Working closely with the Head of Governance, school leaders, governors and directors, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring governance across the Trust operates effectively, compliantly and to the highest professional standards. You will lead day-to-day governance processes, provide professional advice and support, and contribute to the continued development of governance systems as our Trust expands.

About St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust

SJCMAT is a growing family of Catholic schools serving communities across the North West. Guided by our mission to provide the highest quality Catholic education, we are committed to ensuring every child flourishes academically, spiritually and personally.

As the Trust continues to grow, strong governance remains central to our success. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of that governance structure, helping schools remain effective, accountable and focused on delivering exceptional outcomes for children and young people.

Why This Role Stands Out

Make a Strategic Impact

Take a leading role in supporting governance across multiple schools and contribute to the continued development of governance systems across a growing Trust.

Build Your Professional Expertise

Benefit from funded governance qualifications, ongoing professional development and opportunities for progression within an expanding governance function.

Develop Broad Governance Experience

Gain experience across governance operations, compliance, governor development, inspections, data protection processes, complaints management, governance reviews and Trust growth activity.

Be Part of a Mission-Driven Organisation

Join a Catholic Trust rooted in faith, service and community, where your work directly supports schools in delivering exceptional education.

What You Will Lead

The successful candidate will support and coordinate a wide range of governance activities, including:

1. Acting as a key day-to-day contact for governors, Local Governing Bodies and school leaders
2. Providing governance advice and operational support across the Trust
3. Coordinating governor and director recruitment, appointments, elections, inductions and training
4. Maintaining governance records, statutory registers and governance databases
5. Supporting governance compliance, policy reviews and statutory website requirements
6. Managing governance systems including GovernorHub, GIAS and Companies House records
7. Coordinating complaints, permanent exclusions, Subject Access Requests, Freedom of Information requests and data breach processes
8. Clerking panels, hearings, Board and Committee meetings as required
9. Supporting Ofsted, Catholic Schools Inspectorate, audit and governance review activities
10. Coordinating governance communications, engagement events and governor briefings
11. Supporting governance due diligence and onboarding processes for schools joining the Trust
12. Contributing to governance development projects as the Trust continues to expand and evolve.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

1. Has experience in governance, compliance, clerking or business support within a professional environment
2. Understands governance frameworks, compliance requirements and formal meeting procedures
3. Possesses exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail
4. Can provide practical governance and procedural advice confidently and professionally
5. Has excellent written communication skills and can produce accurate documentation and records
6. Is highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities effectively
7. Is confident using governance platforms, Microsoft Office and digital systems
8. Can work independently whilst contributing positively to a collaborative team
9. Demonstrates integrity, discretion and professionalism at all times
10. Is committed to safeguarding and supporting the Catholic ethos and values of the Trust
11. Is willing to attend evening meetings and travel across Trust schools as required.

What We Offer

1. Funded governance qualifications and professional development opportunities
2. Clear career development pathways within a growing Trust
3. Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
4. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
5. Reimbursement of eligible business travel expenses
6. A professional and supportive working environment based within our landmark headquarters at the Port of Liverpool Building
7. The opportunity to contribute directly to governance excellence across a growing family of Catholic schools
8. A collaborative culture rooted in faith, service and continuous improvement

Informal and Confidential Discussion

We recognise that opportunities such as this often prompt questions about the role, governance within SJCMAT and the exciting future of our growing Trust.

For an informal and confidential discussion about the position, please contact:

Diane Cook

Head of Governance

✉️ DCook@sjcmat.co.uk

📞 0151 351 5618

Diane would be delighted to discuss the role, the Trust's governance priorities and the exciting opportunity this position offers to contribute to governance excellence across SJCMAT.