Governance Officer

£34,434 (pending pay award) + benefits

Full-time, fixed-term contract for 12 months

We have an exciting 12 months fixed-term opportunity for a Governance Officer to support the next phase of academic governance development across the National Institute of Teaching.

The National Institute of Teaching believes that teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility. We are on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system, and strong academic governance is central to ensuring that our work is well-led, accountable and aligned with our strategic objectives.

As Governance Officer, you will support effective governance, decision-making and accountability across the Institute. Working closely with the Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator, trustees, executive leaders, academic colleagues and professional services teams, you will help ensure that our governance arrangements remain effective, proportionate and fit for purpose as the organisation continues to grow.

This role will have a particular focus on delivering the implementation of agreed academic governance improvements, coordinating governance development activity and establishing sustainable ways of working across key areas of academic governance. This includes a significant focus on the development of research ethics governance processes and oversight arrangements. 

The successful candidate will bring experience of academic governance within a higher education, academic services, quality, registry or comparable governance environment. You will be comfortable translating strategic priorities into practical processes, coordinating multiple workstreams and building effective relationships with stakeholders across the Institute.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys improving organisational effectiveness and wants to play a central role in the next phase of governance development at a growing higher education institution. This is a hybrid role, with the requirement for in person working for a minimum of once a fortnight, occasionally this will be more due to business need. The role includes participation in our annual all-staff away day (including an overnight stay) and occasional national travel.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. 

Essential criteria:

• A commitment to the aims of the National Institute of Teaching
• An interest in the education sector and a belief that teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility
• Experience of working within higher education governance, academic quality, registry or equivalent academic services functions.
• Knowledge of academic governance structures and governance processes within a higher education environment.
• Experience of implementing projects, process improvements or organisational development initiatives.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills, including experience of managing multiple priorities, stakeholders and workstreams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent digital skills, including proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of supporting governance reviews, governance effectiveness activity or governance improvement programmes.
• Experience of research governance and/or research ethics processes.
• Familiarity with the regulatory framework applicable to higher education providers, including Office for Students requirements and sector governance guidance.

Key benefits:

• Generous annual leave – 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays), rising to 33 days after five years’ service.
• Flexible working – we offer flexible start and end working times, with hybrid working in place for all roles.
• Pension - Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Salary sacrifice schemes – we offer salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, cars and tech!
• Lifestyle benefits – We offer discounts on gyms, cinema, retail and much more!
• Parenthood leave – We offer above the statutory minimum for maternity, adoption and paternity leave.
• Working environment – We have a stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of like-minded professionals.
• Support: Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters.
• Development: We fully support the development of our staff and ensure that you have a high level of continuous professional development.

If you have any queries about this role, please email us at recruitment@niot.org.uk

Closing date: 31 August 2026.

Interview dates: 3 & 4 September 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please note that applications should be written by the candidate. Where we have reason to believe that an application has been generated or substantially written by artificial intelligence, we reserve the right to reject it.

Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

This post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.

£34,434 pending pay award