Governance Officer

The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Governance Officer to join our CEO’s Office, providing key support in the delivery of our EDI Strategy and governance functions.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the centre of The British Academy to support our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and governance activity. This varied role will support the delivery of the Academy’s EDI Strategy and action plans, helping drive meaningful initiatives across the organisation while also contributing to the smooth running of the Academy’s governance structures.

You will work closely with colleagues across the Academy, Fellows, senior stakeholders and external partners, playing an important role in supporting projects, events, communications and committee activity. From helping shape EDI initiatives and building relationships across networks, to coordinating governance processes and supporting high-level meetings, this role offers the opportunity to support work that has an impact across the Academy and contribute to EDI best practice in the research sector.

This role would suit someone who is highly organised, proactive and collaborative, with excellent communication skills. You may already have experience in EDI work, governance, higher education or membership organisations. A commitment to EDI is essential and an understanding of the broader context and regulatory landscape surrounding EDI would be valuable. You will be comfortable using Microsoft Office 365 and working collaboratively across teams, bringing a positive, and respectful approach to your work.

Whether you’re looking to build your experience in governance or EDI and want a role where you can make a real contribution across the Academy, we’d love to hear from you.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1\. Support the delivery of the EDI Strategy

• Assist the Business \& EDI Manager to work with EDI workstream leads to deliver the EDI Strategy through offering guidance and supporting initiatives
• Become a co-workstream lead for the Strategy and Governance and Data and Insight action plans and work to deliver key actions to timelines
• Undertake project-based work on different EDI initiatives. This could involve working with data, brainstorming ideas for projects and copywriting
• Show knowledge of best practice and innovations in the EDI landscape
• Contribute ideas and feedback for the continuous enhancement of EDI activity across the Academy

2\. Facilitate collaboration and engagement on EDI

• Support engagement activities on EDI, including away days, critical friends groups, all staff meetings and sessions with the Fellowship and ECRN
• Maintain strong relationships with the Staff EDI Group panel and actively participate in events
• Maintain a strong awareness of different EDI networks that could be potential collaborators with the Academy and identify potential partnerships
• Implement and refine internal communication tools for EDI, such as the EDI SharePoint and Teams group
• Work collaboratively to identify innovative ways to improve cross-team working and sharing best practice on EDI activity

3\. Administrative support for EDI activity

• Provide administrative support for EDI activity, including the minute taking, updating action plans, organising meetings and logistics for engagement and training events
• Support the Business \& EDI Manager on managing the EDI Budget, including budget tracking and processing of payments and invoices
• Ensure compliance with GDPR regulations, particularly how we handle sensitive EDI data

4\. Governance support

• Provide Committee secretariat support, including commissioning, editing and circulating committee papers and agendas to agreed timelines and taking minutes
• Support on the organisation of events and meetings for the Academy’s main governance committees (including Council, Senior Management Team, Audit, Governance \& Nominations Committee)
• Support with forward planning and co-ordination of the Academy’s governance activity more broadly, liaising with other teams as required (e.g. SMT and Council forward looks, cross cutting activity such as annual report and operational planning)
• Provide other administrative support as required including following up actions, processing travel claims and any other related activity
• Liaise with the Executive Assistants of the senior leadership, to provide additional support on management of the President’s inbox and diary
• Provide support for other governance activity and projects as appropriate

Key Stakeholders

Internal:

President, CEO and Governance team; Vice Presidents for Humanities and Social Sciences; EDI workstream leads; Staff EDI Group Panel; Diary Managers for President/CEO and Directors

External:

Peers in other organisations; External members of EDI Subcommittee; ECRN members

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

Undergraduate degree or equivalent relevant experience

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Is proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally
• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support, using initiative and not waiting to be asked
• Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, understanding that communication is two-way
• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate
• Communicates effectively with staff across departments
• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally
• Is discrete and alert to the ways in which high level and sensitive information need to be managed.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the regulatory context of EDI issues
• Is receptive to new ideas and change, adapting own ways of working as appropriate
• Proactively makes suggestions for improving processes and policies and overseeing implementation when appropriate.
• Is aware of own strengths and weaknesses and capabilities.
• Seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop and is quick in picking up new tasks.
• Strong IT skills and confidence in using key Microsoft packages including Office 365, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Shares knowledge and skillset with others.

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Prioritises tasks to meet deadlines
• Keeps relevant colleagues informed with effective communication
• Responsive, flexible, and willing to work across a range of tasks within changing priorities.
• Takes ownership of tasks and knows when to escalate
• Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where possible

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Has a pro-active, can do, attitude, taking personal responsibility whilst knowing when to ask for advice and/or escalate
• Anticipates conflict and thinks ahead to resolve quickly.
• Handles difficult situations calmly, with sensitivity and respect.

MUST BE COMMITTED TO THE BRITISH ACADEMY'S WORKPLACE VALUES OF:

COLLABORATION, CREATIVITY, EMPATHY, EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, RESILIENCE AND RESPECT

*Please only apply if you have right to work in the UK - This role is not eligible for sponsorship.

Role closes to applications on 17 June 2026