Group Director of Governance and Compliance – St Dunstan’s Education Group (SDEG)

This high profile and exciting leadership position will most likely be suited to an experienced legal, governance, financial or compliance professional from the charity, corporate or education sector.

Salary: highly competitive, depending on skills and experience

St Dunstan’s Education Group (SDEG) is one of the fastest‑growing not‑for‑profit independent school groups in the UK. It comprises a dynamic family of schools in south-east London, united by a shared ethos of integrity, curiosity, and community, and by a bold vision for modern, future‑focused education. Across its schools, SDEG educates approximately 2000 pupils from the early years through to Sixth Form. 

SDEG’s defining philosophy – Excellence. Differently – is a commitment to reimagining what excellence in education looks like. It encompasses sector‑leading pupil progress, outstanding public examination results, national recognition in sport, music and drama, and award‑winning approaches to wellbeing, inclusion, and curriculum reform. It also reflects the Group’s belief that excellence must extend beyond the classroom to the way it supports families, serves communities, and invests in its staff.

As part of the Group’s plans for sustainable growth, a new Director-level role has been created to provide strategic leadership of governance and compliance: The Group Director of Governance and Compliance. This is an exciting opportunity to shape governance in a growing, high-performing educational Group and to influence decision-making at the highest levels, supporting the long-term success of the Group. SDEG is looking for an outstanding senior leader who can ensure that governance across the Group is robust, effective and continuously improving, and that the Group and its schools are compliant with legal and educational regulation.

Working closely with the CEO, members of the Group Board, St Dunstan’s Executive Team and Heads of the Group Schools, the successful candidate will have outstanding interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, a meticulous eye for detail and will be comfortable in challenging others with tact and diplomacy. They will thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics in the first instance to arrange an informal and confidential discussion with:

• Peter Lockhart, Search Consultant: peterlockhart@rsacademics.com
• Nina Lambert, Head of Professional Services Appointments: ninalambert@rsacademics.com

The deadline for receipt of applications is 10.00am on Tuesday 26 May 2026.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.

You should submit the following (both in PDF format):

• a completed application form
• a covering letter addressed to the CEO, Mr Nick Hewlett. Your letter should be a maximum of two pages and should explain your reasons for applying and outline your suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments) at: applications@rsacademics.com. Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0) 204 6269 791.

St Dunstan’s Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.