Governance, Risk And Policy Manager

Who are Ambition Institute?

A great teacher changes the future every day. Especially for children who have had a tough start in life, a teacher can be the critical factor in their success.

At Ambition Institute we help schools tackling educational disadvantage to keep getting better and help their teachers and school leaders to become more expert over time.

That’s how we’ll make sure every child gets a great education and the best possible start in life.

• We train teachers and leaders at all levels to get better at the things that make the biggest difference: what you teach, how you teach it, and how you create the conditions for schools to thrive.

• We share what works. Everyone can benefit from evidence of how great teaching and leadership can improve schools and change lives, so we connect people to the latest research and best practice.

• We champion every teacher and school leader’s potential to develop, as the driving force for sustainable school improvement.

What would we like…?

Do you have knowledge of best practice in governance, Risk and Policy management? Do you have proven experience managing complex internal operations projects with multiple stakeholders and workstreams?

We're looking for an independent self-starter to join our Central Services division as a Governance, Risk and Policy Manager. You'll play a significant role in supporting the rationalisation of our internal governance, Risk and Policy management systems with the aim of ensuring Ambition is in the best possible position to deliver on its recently refreshed, long-term strategy

If you're someone who has a passion for designing and implementing processes that enable an organisation to thrive - we want to hear from you.

We would like you to:

• Work closely with the Associate Director to develop and maintain an accurate, holistic view of our internal operations and the extent to which they support the organisation’s long-term goals

• Identify areas for improvement across governance, Risk and Policy management systems, and lead projects or manage workstreams within projects to bring about positive change

• Own and shape best practice around governance, Risk and Policy management, championing it through internal communications platforms and the creation of supporting resources

• Manage and maintain our internal governance, Risk and Policy management systems so that they deliver their intended outcomes on a day-to-day basis 

Working in a hybrid way, you’ll be attached to either our Birmingham, London or Manchester office and will report to an Associate Director within the Central Services division. In line with our current ways of working, you’ll be expected to be in the office at least 1 day a month in addition to team days, and this may be reviewed by us.

What’s in it for you….?

• Competitive annual salary.

• Professional development for all staff.

• 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays and 'winter shut down’ between Christmas and New Year.

• Employer pension contribution of 11%.

• Agile, hybrid working culture, so you can manage when and where you work.

• Staff affinity networks that help keep equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work.

• Blind recruitment process to ensure equality and fairness in our hiring.

• Enhanced maternity pay after a year’s service.

• Shared parental leave package.

• Access to free, confidential 24/7 wellbeing and support line.

• Comfortable and collaborative workspaces in the city centres of Manchester, Birmingham and London

• Work-from-home technology package to support hybrid working.

• Interest free season ticket / bike loans.

ABOUT YOU

We don’t expect the person we hire to have all of the following, but this should give you a sense of what would enable you to thrive in this role and in our team:

YOU SHOULD APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF:

• You care deeply about educational disadvantage and being part of an organisation that challenges inequality.

• You have a good work ethic and strive to make a difference in the job you do.

• You always give maximum effort to understand and meet the needs of our partners and participants.

• You always have a great attitude so we “can do” for all our colleagues, partners and participants.

• You are open to feedback and learning because we want to keep getting better.

• You work with your initiative to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective.

• You are well organised and can prioritise work that will have the greatest impact.

YOU’LL LOVE WORKING AT AMBITION IF…

• You want a career with a person-centred organisation with a cause at its heart.

• You have a collaborative work ethos, bring warmth and good humour to work and constructive outlook to every situation.

• You enjoy working in a fast-moving workplace, with a great support structure around you.

• You would like to grow with an ambitious organisation as it progresses over time

• Want flexibility in how you work – splitting your time between one of our offices and remote working and managing your own working patterns to get the job done.

How to apply  

Applications will be considered for all locations and must be received by the closing date, 9am on 5 February 2024. First stage interviews are expected to take place on 12 February, with a second stage to conclude by week beginning 19 February.

Equality and diversity matters to us. If you think you’d be suited to one of our roles we’d love to hear from you regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexuality.