Director of Governance

Leighcollege; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - GBP 61,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in the UK is searching for a part-time Director of Governance to lead strategic governance efforts. The successful candidate will advise on lawful decision-making, organize board meetings, and ensure compliance while fostering transparency. Applicants should possess significant governance experience, particularly in education or the public sector, alongside strong communication skills and strategic thinking abilities. The organization offers a supportive environment with various benefits and development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Medicash healthcare scheme

Regular development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Significant governance experience, ideally in education or public sector.
• Deep understanding of governance frameworks and regulatory requirements.
• Track record of working with boards or governing bodies.
• Strong knowledge of further and higher education regulatory landscape.

Responsibilities

• Advise on powers, responsibilities, and lawful decision‑making.
• Plan and deliver board and committee meetings driving real progress.
• Build relationships between governors, executives and stakeholders.
• Guide succession planning and governor development programmes.
• Maintain governance records, registers and statutory documentation.
• Monitor regulatory compliance and spot opportunities for improvement.
• Translate complex governance issues into clear guidance.

Skills

Governance experience in education or public sector

Understanding of governance frameworks

Experience working with boards

Knowledge of further and higher education regulations

Ability to build trust and influence

Excellent communication skills

High levels of integrity

Strategic thinking

Job description

Director of Governance

Part time (0.5FTE) Permanent £55,473 – £60,604 (Pt 42 – Pt45)

As Director of Governance at Wigan & Leigh College, you'll be the trusted advisor who ensures every decision we make is lawful, ethical and impactful. You'll work at the heart of our college, guiding our board through complex choices shaping the future of education in the North-West.

You'll partner with governors and senior leaders to build governance that is more than compliance. Your expertise will transform board meetings into strategic sessions, turn regulatory requirements into opportunities for excellence, and ensure our governance sets the standard for the sector.

What you'll do

• Advise on powers, responsibilities, and lawful decision‑making
• Plan and deliver board and committee meetings driving real progress
• Build relationships between governors, executives and stakeholders
• Guide succession planning and governor development programmes
• Maintain governance records, registers and statutory documentation
• Monitor regulatory compliance and spot opportunities for improvement
• Translate complex governance issues into clear guidance for diverse audiences
• Champion transparency and accountability in everything we do
• Ensure our governance reflects our values of fairness and inclusion
• Be the trusted voice protecting our integrity and reputation

What you bring

• Significant governance experience, ideally in education or public sector
• Deep understanding of governance frameworks and regulatory requirements
• Track record of working with boards or governing bodies
• Strong knowledge of further and higher education regulatory landscape
• Natural ability to build trust and influence at all levels
• Excellent communication skills with attention to detail
• High levels of integrity, discretion and professional judgement
• Strategic thinking balanced with operational precision

Why join us?

Good governance protects organisations. Great governance drives them forward. At Wigan & Leigh College, you'll build the kind of governance that does both - safeguarding our integrity while accelerating our ambitions.

Our board governs a multi‑million‑pound operation serving over 10,000 students across multiple campuses, with Ofsted, OfS, and ESFA requirements to navigate. Balancing financial sustainability with ambitious growth plans, so this isn't staid governance. It's active, strategic, and genuinely influential, and we know we need exceptional governance to deliver our vision.

This is part‑time at 0.5 FTE, giving you the flexibility to balance this strategic role with other commitments. And we invest in our people, so you can expect generous holiday entitlement, access to our benefits platform, Medicash healthcare scheme, regular development opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme including occupational health support and counselling, plus membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

If you want to shape governance, driving innovation and protecting our integrity, then this is the role for you.

Apply today. Applications close: 20th February 2026, Interview Date:5th March 2026

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