Director of Risk and Corporate Governance

Director of Risk and Corporate Governance

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Location: West London

Contract: Permanent

Pattern: Full Time (standard hours 9am – 5.30pm)

Closing date: 9am Tuesday 7th May

First round interviews: Tuesday 14th May

Salary: £90,000 to £100,000

About the role:

The Director of Risk and Corporate Governance will oversee all aspects of governance across both Ark Schools and Ark and be responsible for embedding and overseeing the continued development of Ark’s approach to ensuring robust governance arrangements. Our governance structure will support the delivery of our new strategic plan, which is being developed over the next 12 months.

This a complex and multi-faceted role which requires someone able to think strategically to ensure that our governance arrangements provide oversight, challenge and support overall school development as well as reflect the requirements of the broader corporate function. This is an exciting role for someone passionate about both schools and corporate governance.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Act as Company Secretary for Ark, Ark UK Programmes, Ark Schools and lead the Trust’s corporate governance and risk management
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation/codes of governance
• Oversee the preparation for signing off the annual reports and to co-ordinate work on assurance for governance and risk management and financial management
• Identify and work with a strategic legal partner to ensure that Ark and Ark Schools always have high-quality and timely legal advice as required
• Overseeing the Freedom of Information processes and ensuring effective and timely responses to requests
• Ownership of the organisation’s approach to Data Protection
• Work with the Head of Schools Governance to ensure that annual reviews of Ark Schools’ corporate responsibilities are undertaken, communicated and appropriate processes and structures in place to meet these
• Oversee the work of the Head of Schools Governance related to the development of schools’ admissions and exclusions policies and ensuring appeals are effectively handled
• Work with the Team Co-ordinator to ensure that complaints are handled effectively and either conducting or commissioning investigations before making recommendations or taking action to resolve issues
• Lead a team of four in wider Governance team
• Lead on any Whistleblowing cases within the organisation
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead for Ark

Key Requirements:

• Company Secretary qualification or relevant degree
• In-depth professional knowledge of corporate governance acquired through training and experience over an extended period, with evidence of continued professional development
• Significant experience in governance, committee work, and administration of the meetings of corporate bodies in either the public or private sector
• Substantial experience of working in a governance role within a large, complex organisation
• Ability to manage complex workload under pressure and prioritise to meet deadlines
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop a professional team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with trustees and governors and with a wide range of other senior leaders across the organisation

About Ark

We’re an international charity, transforming lives through education. We exist to give every young person, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life. In the UK, we’re a network of 39 schools, educating around 30,000 pupils in areas where we can make the biggest difference and we’re recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country. We want to change the lives of children everywhere, not just in our own schools. So, we create and incubate Ventures designed not only to help pupils in Ark schools, but also to improve education systems.

You’ll be joining a group of like-minded, ambitious individuals who work collaboratively and are all committed to our core mission, that every child has the potential to succeed. Having just celebrated our 20th anniversary, we are shaping our goals for the next 20 and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
• A flexible approach to working with understanding and consideration for work life balance and personal commitments
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests

How to Apply:

Apply with a CV and cover letter on our online recruitment portal. Applications to be submitted by 9am on Tuesday 7th May but please note: we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response.

This ATS application form should take no longer 20 minutes to complete. At any time, you can pause, save, and log back in. If you have any difficulty with meeting the deadline for application, please contact recruitment@arkonline.org

Interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.  

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.