Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Executive Trust Board of East Cheshire NHS Trust as our new Director of Corporate Affairs, Communications & Governance. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will provide strategic advice and guidance to the Chair, Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors on all aspects of corporate affairs, communications, engagement and corporate governance.
You will fulfil the critical role of Board Secretary for the Trust, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, standing orders and NHS guidance.
The role offers the opportunity to work with the Board to continue to ensure that East Cheshire Trust leads the way in working with and for our communities.
You will have experience at working at Board or sub-Board level, performing the duties of a Company Secretary as well as experience managing communications strategically with internal and external stakeholders. You will need to have a forensic eye for detail, political awareness and have experience of leading high-performing teams.
All NHS Directors are expected to comply with the Fit and Proper Person Test (FPPT), and this post will be subject to allthe relevant checks contained within the regulations relating to FPPT.
Closing date: 29th July 2024, 9:00am
Interview date: 6th August 2024
Main duties of the job
You will lead the development of Trust governance systems and provide professional advice and guidance to the Trust in relation to corporate governance. As the Board Secretary to the Trust, you will act independently of the Board and ensure that the Trust is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations. You will advise the Chair in relation to the Fit and Proper Persons Regulatory Requirements.
You will provide leadership and direction to the Corporate Communications and Engagement team, developing a digitally enabled patient communications, engagement and experience strategy, marketing the Trust as a healthcare provider of choice. You will be the Trust lead for charitable funds, leading the development of a plan to increase the profile of, and revenue for, East Cheshire NHS Charity.
You will lead the Trust corporate risk management and assurance functions, developing and implementing a risk management strategy for the whole Trust. You will lead the Freedom to Speak Up agenda, ensuring appropriate arrangements are in place to enable colleagues to feel supported in raising concerns.
Please see the attached candidate information pack, job description and person specification for further information.
About us
Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, East Cheshire NHS Trust is the right employer for you. An organisation with a real sense of community we actively support and develop our staff to ensure our patients receive the best quality care, delivering the right care first time, every time.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. We will be checking the vaccination status of all new starters as part of ongoing monitoring.
Please be aware that this post requires a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, the cost of which is payable by the successful candidate. If you have lived or worked abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years you will need to obtain an overseas police clearance. Further information can be found on the additional information links at the bottom of the advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information.
Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role.
As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage www.careersateastcheshire.nhs.uk for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).
Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.
We look forward to receiving your application
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information.
Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role.
As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage www.careersateastcheshire.nhs.uk for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).
Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.
We look forward to receiving your application
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level education
- Master's degree or equivalent relating to healthcare leadership or equivalent experience
- Post-Graduate Qualification in Corporate Governance and/ or Risk Management or equivalent experience
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- Project Management Qualification
- Membership of relevant bodies
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of working effectively as a senior manager at sub-Board level
- Substantial experience of risk management and governance within a healthcare enterprise significant experience gained across the NHS
- Experience of Board Management / Company Secretary role and responsibilities.
- Political awareness of priorities and agenda's within the organisation, across the NHS and beyond, including politicians and the media
- Experience of managing communications and external partnerships i.e. out-sourced services, CQC, ICB or similar
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of NHS legislation and practice that relates to the duties
- High level understanding of the principles and good practice in communications and engagement with patients, carers, families, stakeholders and staff
- Knowledge of the legal responsibilities of the role or expert knowledge of healthcare risk and enterprise-wide risk management techniques
- Thorough understanding of NHS Registration Requirements and Healthcare Regulation
Desirable
- Full understanding of Audit Committee Handbook
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
- Ability to travel as there will be some requirement to travel within the health economy and occasionally nationally
Other Rple requirements
Essential
- Please refer to the person specification for all other role requirements
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level education
- Master's degree or equivalent relating to healthcare leadership or equivalent experience
- Post-Graduate Qualification in Corporate Governance and/ or Risk Management or equivalent experience
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- Project Management Qualification
- Membership of relevant bodies
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of working effectively as a senior manager at sub-Board level
- Substantial experience of risk management and governance within a healthcare enterprise significant experience gained across the NHS
- Experience of Board Management / Company Secretary role and responsibilities.
- Political awareness of priorities and agenda's within the organisation, across the NHS and beyond, including politicians and the media
- Experience of managing communications and external partnerships i.e. out-sourced services, CQC, ICB or similar
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of NHS legislation and practice that relates to the duties
- High level understanding of the principles and good practice in communications and engagement with patients, carers, families, stakeholders and staff
- Knowledge of the legal responsibilities of the role or expert knowledge of healthcare risk and enterprise-wide risk management techniques
- Thorough understanding of NHS Registration Requirements and Healthcare Regulation
Desirable
- Full understanding of Audit Committee Handbook
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
- Ability to travel as there will be some requirement to travel within the health economy and occasionally nationally
Other Rple requirements
Essential
- Please refer to the person specification for all other role requirements
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
