Executive Assistant (Governance & Compliance Professional)

Contract type: Full time, Permanent
Hours of work: Monday - Friday, typically 8.00 - 4.00
Work pattern: 37.5 hours per week, All year around (52 weeks)
Location: Pioneer Educational Trust, based at Foxborough Primary School
Salary information: SO2, £40,982 -  £45,279 (actual range) per annum (dependent upon exeperience)
Start date: 1st January 2027

A unique opportunity to make a difference at the heart of Pioneer Educational Trust and our family of schools.

We are looking for a highly professional and dynamic Executive Assistant (Governance & Compliance Professional), with integrity and resilience, to join our shared services team as the CEO’s trusted right hand and as Pioneer’s governance and compliance lead.

This is far more than a traditional administrative role. We are looking for someone whose systems-led approach to organisation is matched by warm, trusted relationships at every level, from trustees to school leaders; someone who anticipates needs, manages up with confidence and keeps strategic priorities moving; and someone with the knowledge and credibility to support our Board and Local Committees and to keep the Trust fully compliant with DfE requirements.

You will play a pivotal role in how Pioneer runs, ensuring that the Trust is compliant and operates effectively and professionally, whilst helping the CEO and executive leaders focus on delivering the very best outcomes for our pupils and communities.

This is a full-time, year-round post (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, typically 8.00 to 4.00), reporting to the CEO and based at Foxborough Primary School. You will also be working additional weeks outside of term-time.

About the Role
Working at the centre of Pioneer, you will:

• Act as Executive Assistant to the CEO, owning their diary, priorities and information flow; anticipating needs, filtering and prioritising, and ensuring the CEO’s time is always directed to what matters most.
• Provide administrative support to the wider executive team where needed, and act as the trusted first point of contact for the CEO’s stakeholders, including trustees, headteachers, the DfE and partners.
• Produce high-quality reports, briefings, presentations and correspondence, and manage internal communications on behalf of the CEO and trustees, in line with the Trust’s mission, vision and values.
• Provide strategic support through rigorous prioritisation, deadline management and forward planning, tracking strategic projects across the executive team and schools, and owning the Trust’s strategic calendar.
• Act as the Trust’s governance professional in line with the Academy Trust Governance Guide, providing independent advice and effective support to the Board, including well-planned meetings, focused agendas, accurate minutes and rigorous action tracking.
• Work closely with the Chair and CEO to shape the annual governance cycle, and partner with our outsourced clerking service to ensure Local Committees are properly constituted and well supported.
• Maintain accurate and secure governance records and registers, keep GIAS and Companies House up to date, and ensure all required suitability checks for Members, trustees and governors are completed.
• Lead the governance development cycle, including parent trustee elections, induction, skills audits, training and succession planning, and coordinate the paperwork and minuting for panel hearings.
• Own the Trust’s policy framework, audit Trust and school websites to ensure statutory information is published and current, and coordinate statutory returns and censuses to the DfE and other bodies.
• Be the trusted first point of contact for leaders seeking advice on governance and compliance, bringing sound judgement and discretion to all confidential and sensitive matters.

About You
We are looking for someone who has:

• Level 2 Maths and English (or equivalent), a relevant governance professional qualification (or a commitment to securing one) and evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience of providing governance support and advice to managers, and of developing good employee relations.
• Up-to-date knowledge of governance and compliance best practice, and a working knowledge of other relevant policies, codes of practice and legislation, including data protection.
• Competent use of Microsoft packages (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and other IT/MIS systems, including the interrogation, analysis and reporting of data.
• The ability to communicate complex information concisely, orally and in writing, to a wide range of individuals and organisations.
• The ability to organise work independently and in collaboration with other agencies, to make balanced judgements without prejudice, and to deliver effective outcomes within tight deadlines and conflicting priorities.
• The flexibility to manage a varied and agile workload and to meet the needs of Pioneer.
• A commitment to the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding, to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging, and to the Trust’s ethos and aims.
• Integrity and credibility in everything you do.

Experience of team and workload management, and of working in an educational setting, would be an advantage.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with our CEO, the Chair and trustees, to help the Trust meet the highest standards of governance and compliance, and to contribute to the success of our schools and communities.

Why join us? 
At Pioneer Educational Trust, we believe people are our greatest asset. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and ambitious culture where colleagues feel valued, respected and empowered to make a difference.
We are pioneering, capable and courageous in our approach, committed to defying mediocrity and transforming lives through exceptional, inclusive education. We believe in social justice, collaboration and meaningful change, and we work intentionally to create the conditions for every individual to thrive.

Our culture is interconnected and people-centred: we listen, learn and co-create with our staff, pupils and communities. With deep expertise, strong relationships and flexible pathways for growth, we empower colleagues to use their voice, take intelligent risks and inspire for impact.
Joining us means becoming part of a community that challenges inequality, values everyone and shares widely what we learn. Together, we take education further—championing potential, nurturing ambition and building a future where everyone can flourish. If you want to work with purpose, passion and integrity, we would be delighted to welcome you to our Trust.

At Pioneer Educational Trust, we don’t just offer a job – we offer a community, a career and a commitment to your wellbeing. Here’s what makes us different:

Flexible Working: We have been at the forefront of pioneering flexible working in schools since 2019 focusing on the presumption that flexible working can work unless there is a genuine operational reason that it cannot. This is achieved through our unique, transparent and inclusive flexible job design process. As a Department for Education Flexible Working Ambassador MAT, we share our expertise regionally and nationally.

Professional development: We are committed to the growth of all our colleagues. With our CPDL Wednesdays, all our staff have dedicated time for professional development and collaborative working, ensuring continuous improvement and shared best practices.

Positive work environment: Enjoy a supportive and enriching working environment with free refreshments, long service recognition, free annual flu vaccinations, and an Employee Assistance Programme offering advice on wellbeing, and more.

Exceptional leadership opportunities: We provide exceptional leadership development opportunities for all our staff, enabling all colleagues to flourish and be fulfilled.

Pioneer Summit: All staff attend our collaborative annual Pioneer Summit. A fun packed day of keynote speakers, workshops and activities. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues across the Trust and to recognise and celebrate our achievements.

We also offer a range of benefits including: 

• Discounted staff lunches 
• Free on-site parking 
• Eye care Vouchers 
• Free annual flu vaccinations 
• Staff long service awards 
• Reflection week every 6 weeks which is our meetings free week, enabling colleagues to get through their to do lists, take back their productivity and provide uninterrupted time to do your work 
• Employee Assist Programme offering a range of support including Mindfulness, Life Coaching, Financial, Legal and General advice as well as counselling
• Low-cost private healthcare with Benenden Health
• Access to offers and cashback across more than 3,000 retailers via Reward Gateway 

Inclusive Recruitment 
When we hire, we actively seek out diverse talent. Our recruitment process is designed to be inclusive and accessible. As part of this commitment, we guarantee an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the role. Need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process? Just let us know—we’re here to help. 

We understand the importance of balancing work and life. That’s why we embrace flexibility. If you’d like to explore flexible working options, simply mention it in your application or at any stage of the process (and beyond). We’ll work with you to make it happen wherever possible.

If our vision and values resonate with you, then apply now before the closing date.

*All you have to do is bring your authentic self.*

Closing date: Monday 23rd November at 9am
Interview date: Monday 30th November in-person at Foxborough Primary School.
Further information: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.