Compliance Manager

Jeannine Manuel School is seeking an experienced Compliance Manager to support the School in maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance, safeguarding and good governance.

This is a key role within a busy and ambitious independent international school. Working closely with the leadership team and colleagues across the School, the Compliance Manager will oversee and coordinate our compliance framework, promoting a strong culture of compliance and shared responsibility across the School. They will ensure that statutory and regulatory requirements are understood, implemented and evidenced effectively, with particular reference to the Independent School Standards & Regulations (ISSRs), the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, and the requirements and standards of bodies including ISI, COBIS and other relevant regulatory and accreditation organisations.

The successful candidate will combine a strong understanding of the regulatory environment with excellent attention to detail and a practical, collaborative approach. They will be comfortable working across different areas of school operations, maintaining robust systems and records, and helping colleagues translate regulatory requirements into effective day-to-day practice.

Key responsibilities

The Compliance Manager will:

• Maintain oversight of the School’s statutory, regulatory and accreditation requirements, ensuring that the leadership team, Board and staff are kept informed of relevant changes in legislation, guidance, regulation and best practice.
• Maintain and develop the School’s compliance framework, covering requirements including the Independent School Standards and Regulations (ISSRs), EYFS statutory framework, KCSIE and other applicable legislation and guidance.
• Promote a strong culture of compliance and shared responsibility across the School, helping colleagues understand regulatory requirements and ensuring that these are embedded in policies and everyday practice.
• Coordinate the School’s policy framework and review cycle, ensuring that key policies are current, appropriately approved, communicated and implemented.
• Support effective governance and Board oversight of compliance, including maintaining appropriate evidence, identifying areas of risk and providing regular reports on compliance and regulatory developments.
• Maintain the School’s ongoing inspection and accreditation readiness, coordinating preparation for ISI inspections and supporting other external reviews and accreditations as appropriate.
• Coordinate internal compliance reviews and audits, identifying areas of vulnerability or risk and working with colleagues to ensure that appropriate actions are implemented.
• Work with HR and the safeguarding team to provide oversight and assurance of safer recruitment and safeguarding compliance, including regular audits of the Single Central Record.
• Support compliance across other relevant areas, including data protection, health and safety, risk management and statutory reporting, working with the appropriate internal leads and external advisers.
• Coordinate appropriate compliance training and guidance for staff, helping to build awareness and understanding of individual and collective responsibilities.
  

About you

We are looking for someone who is methodical, dependable and confident in taking ownership of complex processes. You will have excellent organisational skills and the judgement to distinguish between issues requiring immediate escalation and those that can be resolved through clear systems and follow-up.

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience of compliance, governance and safeguarding.
• Knowledge of the regulatory environment for independent schools, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.
• Familiarity with safer recruitment and safeguarding requirements.

Desired skills and experience:

• Excellent attention to detail and record-keeping skills.
• The ability to interpret legislation, regulation and guidance and translate it into practical action.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence working with colleagues at all levels of an organisation.
• Excellent discretion and judgement when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• A proactive approach, with the ability to identify potential gaps and improve systems rather than simply administer existing processes.

Experience within an independent school or other regulated educational environment would be an advantage.

Other Information

Bursaries are available for the children of teachers employed by the School.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

All personal data will be processed for its intended purpose only, and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, and the GDPR. For more information about the School’s Privacy Policy, please visit our website.

Charity No: 1158643.