Governance Officer

SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East.  SOAS University of London is positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a new strategic plan in place as the basis for the renewal and revitalisation of the School which commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity. SOAS is moving towards a new model of international partnerships which is responsive to the transnational character of our global challenges.

About the Role

The Governance Officer provides the committee support as well as secretariat for several sub-committees of the Board of Trustees, working closely with Committee Chairs and senior managers for both academic departments and professional services. 

The Governance Officers within the team will have individual committee portfolios allocated in addition to support of core  governance work.  It is imperative that as a team, the Governance Officers work collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team to provide a seamless Governance service to the University, and will provide cross cover in order to deliver a high standard of service.

Governance Officers are collectively required to provide an onsite presence five days per week during core hours, and it is mandatory to attend allocated Committee meetings in person.

About the Department

The Governance Department provides guidance and direction, support and co-ordination  for the University’s core governance activities, working with senior staff, the SOAS Board of Trustees and other internal and external stakeholders.  

The Governance Directorate also has responsibility for core compliance and assurance activities, including areas such as:

• Maintaining the University’s constitutional arrangements
• Compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements
• leads risk management activity within the university, including the risk management policy, strategic risk register and supporting the institution to maintain and mitigate locally identified risks
• maintaining the Incident Management Plan for the university, and supporting the institution to maintain business continuity plans
• management of public complaints and whistleblowing concerns raised

About you

We invite candidates from the following backgrounds to consider this role, including:

• Senior administrators who have experience of working at an Executive level in a medium to large organisation - such as Executive assistants, office managers, project coordinators.
• Early‑Career Governance or Compliance Professionals who have worked in governance support or public administration roles - such as Governance assistants, compliance officers, paralegals.
• Process‑Improvement Professionals for those who enjoy refining systems, improving workflows, and ensuring organisational efficiency – such as business analysts, operations coordinators, project managers.”

In addition, we are looking for someone who has:

• Excellent communication skills, including oral and written skills and verbal reasoning
• Excellent organisational skills, able to prioritise and work to tight timescales
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to work with all levels of organisations including senior management
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving capability both with situational management as well as with written information
• Able to demonstrate commitment to working as part of a team but able to work on own initiative.

How to Apply: 

Please complete the online application form and upload your CV and a supporting statement. 

Closing date:  29^th March 2026 at 11:59 p.m.                         

Interviews to be held : 15/16^th April 2026

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