The Role

We are looking for a new colleague to join our in-house Governance Team, to provide an exemplary governance service to a number of our Academy Community Councils and support our academies and Central team in delivering panels and appeals processes. The role is hybrid in nature, mixing home working with travel to named academies. 

You will be an excellent communicator with strong attention to detail, great organisational skills and the confidence to advise and guide senior people. A flexible approach to work is essential, as the role requires supporting some twilight / evening meetings. You'll be part of a team of governance professionals working to support a robust and effective governance process, in an organisation focused on providing the best possible education and development opportunities to children and young people.

This is a great opportunity for a person seeking to develop their career in governance and compliance. For an informal chat about the role, please contact Sarah Lay, Head of Governance, on sarah.lay@coopacademies.co.uk.

If you are interested, please apply via SamRecruit: https://co-opacademiestrust.face-ed.co.uk/Vacancies

Why us?

Co-op Academies Trust is a place where you are part of something bigger, through a leading education and opportunities to serve our community, we are working together to make a better world. 

From ages 3-19 Co-op Academies Trust supports students in Primary, Secondary and Special schools across the North of England, giving children the skills and experiences they need to succeed, no matter where they come from. 

What makes our Trust unique is that we are sponsored by the Co-op Group. That close relationship means that we benefit from all the business expertise that has seen the Co-op grow to one of the most respected, successful businesses in the country.

Everyone in the Trust honours our fundamental commitment to the Ways of Being Co-op. They are our DNA; they represent our culture and reflect the rationale behind our decision-making. No matter what we do, they are how we do it.

Our ways of being are: 

• Be Yourself, Always
• Show You Care
• Do What Matters Most
• Succeed Together 

In 2025, we have 38 academies as part of the Co-op family, across 4 regions. 

Our Values

Being part of the Co-operative Group, we are both guided and driven by the Co-op values which are embedded in everything that we do within our Academy - We strive to demonstrate the following ethical values in everything we do - they are our ‘Ways of Being’:

Succeed together

Do what matters most

Be yourself, always

Show you care

So, if you believe in our values, we would love to hear from you! 

We offer a wide range of benefits and rewards to recognise the part you play in our success:

Benefits include:

• You’ll get being a Co-op member, you’ll get a Co-op colleague discount card. This gives you a 10% discount in our Co-op Food stores. 
• Co-operative flexible benefits (discounted line rental and broadband package, family care advice and cycle to work scheme)
• Discounted gym membership and leisure activities which includes discounts on Merlin Entertainments (Sea Life, Legoland etc), Virgin Experience Days, SuperBreak and many more
• Co-operative Credit Union: save directly from your salary and receive a competitive dividend. Borrowers can benefit from very competitive interest rates & terms (in comparison with other high street lenders)
• Co-op Funeralcare benefit
• Season ticket and rental deposit loans

And More! 

For more information about the Co-op Academies Trust, please visit: www.coopacademies.co.uk

The Trust is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnerships.