NGA Governance Consultants

National Governance Association

About the Organisation

Governance has risen up the political and school improvement agendas, and this provides more opportunities for NGA to deliver our charitable objectives. NGA is the only national membership organisation for governors, trustees, and governance professionals in state schools in England, and we work to improve the effectiveness of governing boards in both maintained schools and academies. As such, it is the first port of call for many of the policymakers in the education sector who are looking for governance expertise or wish to understand the governors' view.

We have been at the forefront of developing new programmes, tools for improving governance, and resources for new governance structures. We pride ourselves on our knowledge and the quality of our products and services. Alongside our membership, NGA offers training, e-learning, and consultancy.

NGA is an independent charity and not-for-profit national membership organisation for state school governors, trustees, and governance professionals in England. Our work aims to improve the educational standards and well-being of young people by increasing the effectiveness of governing boards and promoting high standards. As expert leaders in school and academy governance, we provide information, advice, guidance, professional development, and e-learning.

About the role

NGA owes much of its professional development service success to the professional expertise and dedication of our team of governance consultants. Due to increased demand for our quality assured consultancy and training services we are growing our team.

We are looking for governance consultants committed to helping others to improve governance who have experience of multi-academy trust governance and are also able to confidently deliver training, both face-to-face and online. We are interested in applicants from across the country, in particular, we need consultants who are based in the following areas:

• Kent, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey
• Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, West Midlands, Shropshire
• East Midlands, Yorkshire and North East England
• South West England – Cornwall, Devon, Wiltshire, Dorset

Responsibilities

Consultants will be expected to:

• Adhere to the NGA Consultant code of practice 
• Plan assignments effectively and complete assignments promptly
• Work with NGA’s systems and processes 
• Participate in NGA quality assurance processes 
• Refer all business opportunities for governance training, development and review work to NGA 
• Declare any conflicts of interest in advance
• Observe NGA’s data protection and privacy policies and comply with any reasonable requests to ensure confidentiality is maintained, including any necessary encryption
• Disclose those clients with whom they are working at the time of becoming a consultant with NGA
• Use their status as an NGA consultant for the benefit of NGA, not for personal profit
• Use their own PC or laptop
• Disclose anything about themselves that could damage the reputation of NGA or its services

Quality Assurance:

• NGA quality assures its delivery and the performance of its consultants. Generally, consultants will not become full members of the team until positive feedback has been received on at least two assignments. If NGA is not confident that a consultant will be able to deliver an assignment to NGA’s expectations, it will not offer that assignment to a consultant.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential:

• A serving MAT Chair of Trustees, Governance Lead, CEO, CFO, COO, HR director or have recently served as a MAT trustee, CEO, CFO, COO, HR director, Ofsted inspector or can satisfy the Head of Consultancy and/or the Head of Training that s/he has the experience and skills to carry out the role
• Willing to promote key NGA policy and practice messages, guidance and look to extend NGA’s sphere of influence  
• Familiar with the most up-to-date and relevant Ofsted and DfE guidance 
• Willing to adhere to the course materials and guidance provided by NGA
• Prepared to actively promote NGA and its services
• Prepared to refer all opportunities for governance training and consultancy work to NGA
• Competent and willing to facilitate training of a high quality both in person and online
• Grounded in governance, sufficient to provide accurate and insightful training in main areas 

Consultants, Evidence:

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of effective MAT governance.
• A track record of successful delivery of services such as those offered by the NGA or equivalent expertise and experience relevant for the role 
• Helping to improve MAT governance effectiveness
• Their endorsement of NGA, its values, position and role in the sector

Consultants, Expertise & knowledge:

• Expert knowledge of the most recent Ofsted inspection framework
• Expert knowledge of handling people matters in a trust, such as grievance and disciplinary matters, restructures and strategic leadership
• Expert knowledge of HR best practices relating to performance management
• Expert knowledge of handling parental complaints, exclusions and IRPs.
• Expert knowledge of implementing governance changes because of trust growth or trust mergers

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive rates of pay
• Being part of a vibrant and supportive team
• Quality assured deliverables
• Expert administrative support
• Access to NGA’s guidance, advice and e-learning service: Learning Link
• The opportunity to help shape NGA policy, guidance and support
• Termly KIT meetings

Working locations

• Home-based

How to apply

• To apply, please submit to [email protected]:
• A completed application form
• The names and contact details of two referees who have experience of your work in governance
• For an informal conversation about the role, please contact [email protected].
• The closing date for applications is 5 pm on Friday 27th November 2026. 

Interviews

• Interviews will take place on 8th, 9th, and 10th December 2026.
• We are committed to:
  • Offering flexible working arrangements where possible.
  • Providing an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria for the role.
  • Making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace to ensure everyone can perform at their best.
  • Please let us know if you require any adjustments when applying or interviewing.
• If you have a disability and wish to apply under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please let us know in your email when you apply.

Policies

NGA is proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

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