Job summary
We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual for the pivotal role of Director of Corporate Governance at our values-driven Mental Health Trust.
As our Director of Corporate Governance, you will be at the forefront ensuring our governance structures and processes are in place to ensure excellence whilst upholding and role modelling our values.
We are committed to providing exceptional mental health services to our patients, their families, and the community in South West London. We are an ambitious organisation, demonstrated by the delivery of our two-award winning mental health facilities at Springfield which are amongst the best in the world.
We pride ourselves on our improving inclusive culture, where every team member is valued, in order that we can provide the very best care for our patients. Our ambition is to be an actively anti-racist organisation, deeply committed to addressing and dismantling systemic racism within our services and the broader community. We recognise that health inequalities significantly impact mental health outcomes, and we are dedicated to ensuring equitable access to care for all individuals, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
Please read through the recruitment pack which includes key details. We ask that candidates apply by submitting a CV and covering letter describing why you are interested in this roleto Jane Williams at jane.williams@swlstg.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
The Director of Corporate Governance will provide strategic leadership for the Trust across all aspects of Corporate Governance. As the principal adviser to the Board, the Executive Directors, and the organisation on all aspects of Corporate Governance, the post holder will be working closely with the Chair, Chief Executive, Chairs of Board Committees as well as other senior leaders in the organisation.
Areas of responsibility include:
- establishing and maintaining the highest levels of corporate governance and managing the interface between the Board and key stakeholders.
- advising the Chair and Chief Executive in leading on system-wide governance work for the Trust, ensuring appropriate governance arrangements are in place whilst also looking at how this could be developed and continuously improved.
- contributing to the formulation of strategy and policy in support of the Chief Strategy Officer
- being a key role in supporting the Trust and its role within the South London Partnership (SLP) and will lead the work for the Trust within the Committees in Common for SLP, ensuring the governance processes which overlap the Trust and SLP are clear, and processes and procedures are followed.
As part of the interview and assessment process, applicants can expect a values and competency based interview and Stakeholder panels. Please find included a our recruitment pack which includes more information.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
About our locations:
Springfield University Hospital, Tooting
Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities.
Tolworth Hospital, Surbiton
To create the very best environment to care for our patients, this site's layout will be transformed in 2026 to add a number of wards to the existing three.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In addition to the main duties outline for the role, some of the key responsibilities include:
- Ensure the Board and key stakeholders are notified of any new policy, legislative, regulatory and governance developments that might impact on the Trusts activities.
- Providing wise counsel and a confidential sound board to the Chief Executive, Chair, and individual Board members on all aspects of Board business including issues of concern.
- Guiding the Board in the responsible and effective conduct of its role, providing, where appropriate, a discreet, independent, and challenging voice in relation to Board deliberations and decision-making.
- Overall responsibility for the Trusts corporate governance framework, ensuring there are sound procedures in place both within the Trust, in our working with the SLP and ICS.
- Ensure that the Trusts corporate affairs are undertaken to the highest standards of probity and according to statutory and legislative requirements by advising the Chief Executive, Chair and Board members on all corporate governance issues.
- Provide specialist advice to the Board around all aspects of the Trusts governance agenda to ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory frameworks and audit frameworks.
- Lead on the design, development and implementation of the Board Assurance Framework ensuring it is regularly reviewed and updated by Executive Directors so that it adds value and provides assurance to the Board.
- Lead on the appointment of the Chair, Vice Chair, SID, non-executive directors, CEO, and executive directors are in accordance with best practice.
- Ensure full secretarial support, advice and follow up action is provided for the Board (including its designated formal committees), ensuring that they run efficiently, effectively and adopt best practice with a constructive relationship between them and the under-pinning governance structure.
A full set of responsibilities can be viewed in the Director of Corporate Governance recruitment pack with the job description and person specification attached.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In addition to the main duties outline for the role, some of the key responsibilities include:
- Ensure the Board and key stakeholders are notified of any new policy, legislative, regulatory and governance developments that might impact on the Trusts activities.
- Providing wise counsel and a confidential sound board to the Chief Executive, Chair, and individual Board members on all aspects of Board business including issues of concern.
- Guiding the Board in the responsible and effective conduct of its role, providing, where appropriate, a discreet, independent, and challenging voice in relation to Board deliberations and decision-making.
- Overall responsibility for the Trusts corporate governance framework, ensuring there are sound procedures in place both within the Trust, in our working with the SLP and ICS.
- Ensure that the Trusts corporate affairs are undertaken to the highest standards of probity and according to statutory and legislative requirements by advising the Chief Executive, Chair and Board members on all corporate governance issues.
- Provide specialist advice to the Board around all aspects of the Trusts governance agenda to ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory frameworks and audit frameworks.
- Lead on the design, development and implementation of the Board Assurance Framework ensuring it is regularly reviewed and updated by Executive Directors so that it adds value and provides assurance to the Board.
- Lead on the appointment of the Chair, Vice Chair, SID, non-executive directors, CEO, and executive directors are in accordance with best practice.
- Ensure full secretarial support, advice and follow up action is provided for the Board (including its designated formal committees), ensuring that they run efficiently, effectively and adopt best practice with a constructive relationship between them and the under-pinning governance structure.
A full set of responsibilities can be viewed in the Director of Corporate Governance recruitment pack with the job description and person specification attached.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's Degree and/or relevant Professional Qualification or demonstrable experience of working at this level.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable
- Relevant professional qualification such as member of the Chartered Governance Institute (ICSA).
- Legal qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in a senior manager role within the NHS or similar complex public sector organisation, with evidence of extensive engagement at Executive and Non-Executive Board level.
- Experience of legal/governance issues, relevant statutes and regulatory law frameworks.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of relevant integrated, corporate, and healthcare governance.
- A track record of implementing robust systems of internal control to support corporate governance.
- Experience of providing a secretariat service to a Board, Committee, Council or equivalent of a complex organisation, with a clear vision of best practice in this field.
Desirable
- An understanding of the roles and functions of an NHS Trust Board of Directors.
- Demonstrate ability to develop and deliver governance improvement.
- A current understanding of key national healthcare issues and NHS policy.
- Working in an NHS Provider and being involved with the development of Provider collaborations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's Degree and/or relevant Professional Qualification or demonstrable experience of working at this level.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable
- Relevant professional qualification such as member of the Chartered Governance Institute (ICSA).
- Legal qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in a senior manager role within the NHS or similar complex public sector organisation, with evidence of extensive engagement at Executive and Non-Executive Board level.
- Experience of legal/governance issues, relevant statutes and regulatory law frameworks.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of relevant integrated, corporate, and healthcare governance.
- A track record of implementing robust systems of internal control to support corporate governance.
- Experience of providing a secretariat service to a Board, Committee, Council or equivalent of a complex organisation, with a clear vision of best practice in this field.
Desirable
- An understanding of the roles and functions of an NHS Trust Board of Directors.
- Demonstrate ability to develop and deliver governance improvement.
- A current understanding of key national healthcare issues and NHS policy.
- Working in an NHS Provider and being involved with the development of Provider collaborations.
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
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).
