Head of Governance & Compliance - James Brindley Academy

‘Think Differently’ to inspire young people to overcome all barriers and achieve their dreams. This is the Vision Statement of James Brindley Academy.

Do you want to have a positive impact on some of the most vulnerable children’s lives in Birmingham?

Do you want to work in an organisation that recognises the benefits of a good work/life balance for their workforce?

Do you want to work in an organisation that invests heavily in CPD and allocates additional training days to develop their staff?

Are you passionate about governance and compliance?

Do you have the expertise and drive to establish best practices within a growing organisation?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to all these questions, join our team!

Benefits of working for James Brindley Academy include;

• Employee Assistance Programme, which offers a 24-hour helpline for advice regarding legal, financial, medical, consumer, work and family matters, in addition to counselling
• wellbeing champions allocated to each James Brindley Centre, who are committed to supporting all employees to improve their physical and mental wellbeing
• a benefits portal which has various offers including a cycle to work scheme, a low-cost health plan, childcare voucher scheme and dining discounts
• Teacher Pension Scheme
• free parking, near to Birmingham City Centre, which can be used evenings and weekends

Join James Brindley as we launch the Think Differently Multi-Academy Trust as Head of Governance & Compliance and help us lay the foundation for a thriving and well-regulated Trust. We are at the beginning of an exciting journey with ambitious growth plans for the next 3–5 years.

This pivotal role offers the opportunity to shape the governance framework, decision-making structures, and compliance processes for a forward-thinking Trust. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Finance Operating Officer and Chair of Trustees, you’ll provide governance support, lead on regulatory compliance, and act as Company Secretary to ensure TDMAT exemplifies best practice in charity and multi-academy trust governance.

Key responsibilities:

• act as Company Secretary and Clerk to the Trust Board, ensuring statutory compliance and governance excellence
• develop and implement the Trust’s governance framework, agenda planning, and reporting arrangements
• lead Trustee and Governor recruitment, induction, and training, promoting a culture of continuous improvement
• oversee risk management, policy compliance, and regulatory filings with bodies such as the Charity Commission and Companies House
• support board and committee meetings, including preparing high-quality reports and taking accurate minutes
• provide administrative and executive support to the CEO, ensuring effective communication and alignment with Trust priorities
• line manage clerks to the Trust’s local governing bodies and foster governance best practice across the organisation
• act in the role of Data Protection Officer for the Trust

What We Are Looking For:

• enthusiasm for TDMAT’s mission and values, with a strong commitment to governance and compliance
• proven experience in governance, company secretariat, or similar roles, ideally within an academy trust or charity setting
• exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities
• strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a professional and discreet approach to sensitive matters
• relevant qualifications (e.g., NGA/CGI (previously ICSA) in academy governance are highly desirable

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent time to join James Brindley as the Academy continues to implement a strategic vision developed by young people, staff, and other stakeholders. Join us to ‘Think Differently’ to inspire young people to overcome all barriers and achieve their dreams. 

You’ll be joining pivotal time, as James Brindley Academy forms the Think Differently MAT, helping shape the governance and compliance landscape of a brand-new multi-academy trust with ambitious growth plans. You’ll work closely with senior leaders and Trustees, contributing to an exciting journey of innovation and excellence. We offer a collaborative environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact.

Ready to take on this exciting challenge? Apply now and help us achieve our ambitious vision.

James Brindley is a stand-alone Academy based in a wide variety of locations across the City of Birmingham. During a school year, we educate over 3,000 young people for periods ranging from a few days in hospital to several years in one of our teaching centres. Many of our young people have complex medical needs and many have been out of education for a significant period prior to joining us. We offer a full-time curriculum to young people from EYFS to KS5 and our aim is always to enable them to ‘close the gap’ and to exceed expected progress during the time they are with us.

How to apply:

Please download the application pack and return completed application forms to vacancies@jamesbrindley.org.uk

Please ensure the application form is signed if sending via email.

If your application is shortlisted, you will be contacted via email within 2 to 3 weeks of the closing date. Please ensure you check your junk/spam inboxes.