Location
London Borough of Islington

Hours
Full Time - 35 hours per week

Salary
£64,938 per annum

About the Role
School governance has never been more important. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the future of school governance across Islington. As the Service Manager for Schools Governor Services, you will play a key role in ensuring that governing boards are equipped to provide effective leadership, challenge, and support to schools, helping to deliver the very best outcomes for children and young people.

As the Council's lead adviser on school governance, you will provide strategic leadership for a well-established and highly regarded service, working with governors, school leaders, elected members, and council colleagues to strengthen governance, support compliance, and promote best practice across the borough. You will oversee the delivery and continued development of Governor Services, ensuring schools receive high-quality advice, training, and support in an evolving educational landscape.

Schools Governor Services sits within School Support Services in the Children and Young People Directorate. We are a collaborative and ambitious team committed to supporting schools to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people. Reporting to the Assistant Director, School Support Services, you will work alongside experienced education professionals and play a key role in strengthening governance and supporting school improvement across Islington.

Become a key player in our School Support Services team and bring your expertise to work that truly matters.

Benefits
Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council, our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers, we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive. To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our staff benefits include:
- Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
- A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
- Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
- Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
- Excellent local government pension scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
- Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion.

We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre-Employment Checks
Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:
- Proof of address
- Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
- Right to work in the UK
- Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
- Satisfactory references
- Occupational Health clearance
- Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
- DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to a standard DBS check, qualifications check and 3 to 5 years referencing.

Experience
Significant experience within school governance or a related education leadership environment.
Strong knowledge of governance frameworks, legislation, and best practice.
Experience of leading people, managing services, and driving improvement.
Experience of managing resources and delivering high-quality outcomes.

About you
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
The ability to influence, challenge, and support a wide range of stakeholders.
A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive governance.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or experience in education leadership or governance are desirable but not explicitly stated as mandatory.