Governance Officer

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is seeking an experienced and proactive Governance Officer to play a central role in supporting and strengthening governance across the College. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the effective operation of the College at the highest strategic and operational levels.  The role is full time and permanent, initially based at our state of the art facility at Battersea and then primarily at the Kensington site and will benefit from hybrid working (3 days on campus per week).  

Purpose of the Post
The Governance Officer will provide guidance and operational support to ensure that our governance structures remain robust, compliant, and strategically aligned. You will act as Secretary to the College Council and its key committees, including the Planning & Resources Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Nominations & Governance Committee, Remuneration Committee, and Honours Committee. In addition, you will support the administration of the University policy framework and ensure regulatory compliance with the Office for Students.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Secretary to the Council and its committees, including preparing and distributing agendas and papers, arranging meetings, taking accurate minutes, and managing follow-up actions as required.
• Support the development and maintenance of a governance cycle of business and forward planning, including an annual calendar of meetings that discharges all strategic and operational requirements in a timely and effective manner.
• Develop work plans and coordinate the annual cycle of meetings to harmonise with Executive decision-making.
• Regularly review governance arrangements to ensure compliance with best practice, including the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) Code of Governance.
• Assist with the administrative requirements associated with the appointment, induction, and ongoing support of Council members, including monitoring terms of office.
• Administer Council and committee membership to ensure diversity and appropriate representation.
• Support the maintenance of the Register of Interests for Council members and relevant staff.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of policies, processes, and procedures within the governance team.
• Maintain awareness of relevant legislative and regulatory changes affecting governance and compliance responsibilities.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent minute-taking, communication, and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
• High levels of discretion and integrity when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Methodical and detail-oriented approach to administrative tasks.
• Competent IT skills, including experience with Google Workspace or MS Office/365.

Desirable:

• Experience in higher education or the public sector.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the strategic governance of a world-leading institution. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the Secretariat team, ensuring that governance processes support the College’s vision, values, and objectives.

If you are an organised, proactive professional with a commitment to excellence and integrity in governance, we encourage you to apply.

Please see our Information Pack for more details.

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