Job Introduction
We are creating a new, ambitious model for school improvement and governance across Oxfordshire, designed to foster partnership working, local relationships and experts at hand to support school leaders and governors.
About Us
Together, we’re shaping children’s education for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire.
Oxfordshire County Council is committed to delivering educational excellence for our children and young people through continuous and innovative improvements across our educational system. Our ambitious transformation programme, “Delivering the Future Together”, aims to make us an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. As the sector looks ahead to the biggest structural change in half a century, can your educational leadership expertise contribute to the legacy Oxfordshire County Council delivers for future generations?
About The Role
A unique dual role: service leadership and system‑wide governance impact.
This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape governance across a whole local authority system.
As Governor Development and Compliance Lead, you will work closely with the service manager to provide visible, high‑quality leadership of the governance service within the wider school improvement and governance team, while also delivering county‑wide strategic impact through governance improvement, compliance and development.
You will lead a skilled governance team, ensuring schools receive consistent, authoritative advice and support, and that governance arrangements across maintained schools are robust, compliant and effective. You will also work closely with Regional Education Partners (REPs), headteachers and governing bodies to strengthen governance practice, build capacity, and respond to emerging risks and priorities.
You will act as a trusted and credible professional, building strong relationships across schools and partners, and ensuring governance is both well‑assured and genuinely impactful.
About You
Leading governance that is both compliant and purposeful.
You will provide strategic leadership for governance compliance and assurance across the maintained sector, ensuring there are clear, consistent frameworks and systems in place that enable governing bodies to operate effectively, transparently and within statutory requirements.
A core part of the role is to equip and support Regional Education Partners (REPs) to work confidently with schools and governing boards, providing high‑level professional advice, guidance and escalation routes, enabling REPs to support schools through governance challenges, complexity and intervention with clarity and consistency.
You will develop the overarching approach to governance casework—covering areas such as governance breakdown, complaints, and structural or leadership issues—and provide expert input at key points, while ensuring day‑to‑day support to schools is delivered through REPs as part of the wider school improvement system.
Governance is not simply about compliance—it is about ensuring strong accountability, informed decision‑making, and better outcomes for children and young people. Therefore, alongside compliance and assurance, you will take strategic responsibility for the governor development offer across the county.
You will design, commission and quality‑assure a coherent, high‑quality training programme for governors and clerks, ensuring it reflects statutory expectations, emerging priorities and best practice. This will include developing targeted training in key areas such as safeguarding, finance, accountability and leadership, while ensuring the offer is accessible, impactful and responsive to need.
Rewards And Benefits
Why join us?
* Lead and shape a high‑impact governance service at a system level
* Combine operational leadership with strategic influence
* Work closely with senior leaders and system partners across education
* Make a tangible difference to governance quality and school outcomes
* Help embed a coherent, high‑quality model of school improvement and assurance
Recruitment Timeline & Process
The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Wednesday 10th June.
Applicants are asked to complete the Oxfordshire County Council application form. Shortlisting will occur the week commencing 8th June 2026.
Assessment and Interviews are provisionally scheduled for the week commencing 15th June 2026. It is anticipated that this will be a one‑day process consisting of assessment activities and interviews at an Oxfordshire County Council building. More details will be shared with candidates who are successful in shortlisting.
Successful candidates will take up post on the 1st September 2026.
Our Commitment To:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi‑time, part‑time working, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Contact: Tricia.Bunn@Oxfordshire.gov.uk
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