We have an exciting fixed-term opportunity for an 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.

Closing date: 31 August 2026

Interviews to be held on 03 and 04 September

Key Responsibilities:

Corporate responsibilities

• To ensure that the responsibilities of the role are carried out in a way which reflects the mission and the values of the NIoT.

• To be aware of and observe all policies, procedures, working practices and regulations, and in particular to comply with policies relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Financial Regulations, reporting any concerns to an appropriate person.

• To comply with all reasonable management requests.

Main duties and responsibilities

Academic Governance Development

• Coordinate and deliver agreed academic governance development priorities across the Institute.

• Translate governance improvements into practical processes, tools and ways of working.

• Work with colleagues across academic and professional services teams to embed new governance approaches and support delivery of agreed recommendations.

• Support the development of a positive governance culture by promoting understanding of governance responsibilities, accountability and the value of governance in effective decision-making.

• Support implementation of actions arising from governance reviews, governance effectiveness work and organisational development activity.

• Contribute to the ongoing maturity and effectiveness of academic governance arrangements across the Institute.

Research Ethics Governance and Process Development

• Coordinate the development and implementation of improved research ethics governance processes.

• Document end-to-end research ethics workflows and operating procedures.

• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline research ethics administration and approval processes.

• Work with research colleagues to establish sustainable ownership, responsibilities and oversight arrangements for research ethics activity.

• Develop guidance, tracking mechanisms and reporting processes to support effective operation of research ethics governance.

• Support the development of governance arrangements for complex or high-risk ethics matters where appropriate.

Academic Governance Coordination

• Coordinate delivery of academic governance development projects and workstreams.

• Monitor progress against agreed implementation plans and milestones.

• Identify risks, dependencies and barriers to delivery and support their resolution.

• Maintain oversight of actions arising from governance development activity.

• Coordinate engagement, consultation and communication activity relating to governance development initiatives.

• Work with colleagues across the Institute to support understanding and adoption of new governance processes and approaches.

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. 

Working at the National Institute of Teaching 

Contract: Full time and temporary for 12 months

Salary: 34,434 per annum plus benefits (pending pay award) 

Key benefits: 

• Highly competitive pay and pay progression opportunities. 

• Flexible start and end working times. 

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working. 

• At least 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 33 days after five years’ service. 

• Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme 

• A stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of likeminded professionals. 

• Excellent opportunities to develop your skills and experience and to progress your career 

 Further information    

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.  

 Notes:   

• To ensure a fair and robust selection process, we expect all application responses to be based on your own original thoughts, skills and experience. Our system includes functionality to identify AI-generated content, and applications where responses appear not to be the candidate’s own work may be disregarded.

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

• 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 . 

• This document is an overview of the role.

• The responsibilities will include but will not be limited to those listed above and it is anticipated that the role will evolve over time and as such the duties may change.