Job summary
The Corporate Governance Officer will:
support the team in ensuring that the Trust Corporate Governance function is performed to the highest standards in accordance with statutory and legislative requirements
be responsible for ensuring the Board, its Committees (as determined) and Council of Governors and its Committees are appropriately administrated
be the primary contact point for the Council of Governors, ensuring information flows and communications are appropriately dealt with
Main duties of the job
The post holder will manage the administration of the Council of Governors, committees, and the Annual Members Meeting, ensuring compliance with legal and governance standards. They will organise Governor elections, training, and development programs, maintain governance documents, and act as a communication link between the Trust, Governors, and members. Duties include drafting reports, managing expenses, and supporting the Membership Strategy. For Board and Committees, they will coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, draft minutes and reports, track actions, and ensure adherence to governance protocols. Policy management involves maintaining the Trust Policy Index, reviewing policies for alignment with NHS guidelines, and supporting audits and inspections. Additional responsibilities include safeguarding the Trust Seal, maintaining governance information on the website, supporting Non-Executive Director recruitment and induction, and assisting with statutory returns, audits, and governance projects as required by senior leadership
About us
We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex
Working in Sussex:
- Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there's always new experiences to be enjoyed
- Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
- With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure
We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.
Other key staff survey results include:
- 70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work
- 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team
- 77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles
See the attached 'Partnership Perks' document for details about our benefits package.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Council of Governors
- Organise and manage the administration of theCouncil of Governors, associated committees, and events, including meeting logistics, agenda preparation, and follow-up on actions.
- Oversee theAnnual Members Meeting (AMM)in compliance with legal and constitutional requirements.
- Arrange training, support Governor development programs, and manage election processes, including liaising with procurement for election providers.
- Maintain governance documentation, such as terms of office, Governor Fit and Proper Person records, handbooks, and member databases.
- Support the execution of the Membership Strategy in collaboration with the Trusts engagement and communication teams.
- Serve as the communication channel between the Trust, the Council, and its members.
- Draft and present reports for the Council of Governors and Board of Directors.
- Manage Governors expenses and expenditure related to meetings and events.
Board and Committee Administration
- Collaborate with executive sponsors and committee chairs for meeting preparation, agenda planning, and action follow-ups.
- Draft key documents, including committee exception reports, annual reports, and effectiveness reviews, ensuring alignment with terms of reference and governance standards.
- Record high-quality minutes, ensuring accurate documentation of decisions, actions, and resolutions.
- Maintain attendance registers and an annual cycle of business to ensure proper workflow.
- Conduct and support the evaluation of committee performance, including self-assessments.
- Ensure all board and committee operations comply with the Trusts constitution and governance requirements.
- Monitor and track actions arising from committees and auditor reports.
Policy Management
- Maintain theTrust Policy Indexand ensure proper management, review, and publication of policies.
- Align policies with NHS guidelines and organisational objectives through collaboration with departments.
- Audit policy indices, address gaps, and archive outdated policies per retention policies.
- Prepare and present policy reports to governance boards or committees.
- Support external inspections and audits by ensuring up-to-date policy availability.
- Provide guidance on policy management and ensure clarity and consistency in policy content.
General Corporate Governance Support
- Safeguard and manage the Trust Seal, ensuring proper application and reporting.
- Prepare and analyse reports for Council and Board Committees.
- Maintain and update corporate governance information on the Trusts website, including public meeting materials.
- Support the induction and recruitment of Non-Executive Directors, including managing logistics for interviews.
- Plan and deliver complex governance activities, ensuring problem-solving and robust assurance mapping.
- Assist in statutory returns, audits, and staff surveys.
- Handle other governance duties as directed by senior corporate governance leaders.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Council of Governors
- Organise and manage the administration of theCouncil of Governors, associated committees, and events, including meeting logistics, agenda preparation, and follow-up on actions.
- Oversee theAnnual Members Meeting (AMM)in compliance with legal and constitutional requirements.
- Arrange training, support Governor development programs, and manage election processes, including liaising with procurement for election providers.
- Maintain governance documentation, such as terms of office, Governor Fit and Proper Person records, handbooks, and member databases.
- Support the execution of the Membership Strategy in collaboration with the Trusts engagement and communication teams.
- Serve as the communication channel between the Trust, the Council, and its members.
- Draft and present reports for the Council of Governors and Board of Directors.
- Manage Governors expenses and expenditure related to meetings and events.
Board and Committee Administration
- Collaborate with executive sponsors and committee chairs for meeting preparation, agenda planning, and action follow-ups.
- Draft key documents, including committee exception reports, annual reports, and effectiveness reviews, ensuring alignment with terms of reference and governance standards.
- Record high-quality minutes, ensuring accurate documentation of decisions, actions, and resolutions.
- Maintain attendance registers and an annual cycle of business to ensure proper workflow.
- Conduct and support the evaluation of committee performance, including self-assessments.
- Ensure all board and committee operations comply with the Trusts constitution and governance requirements.
- Monitor and track actions arising from committees and auditor reports.
Policy Management
- Maintain theTrust Policy Indexand ensure proper management, review, and publication of policies.
- Align policies with NHS guidelines and organisational objectives through collaboration with departments.
- Audit policy indices, address gaps, and archive outdated policies per retention policies.
- Prepare and present policy reports to governance boards or committees.
- Support external inspections and audits by ensuring up-to-date policy availability.
- Provide guidance on policy management and ensure clarity and consistency in policy content.
General Corporate Governance Support
- Safeguard and manage the Trust Seal, ensuring proper application and reporting.
- Prepare and analyse reports for Council and Board Committees.
- Maintain and update corporate governance information on the Trusts website, including public meeting materials.
- Support the induction and recruitment of Non-Executive Directors, including managing logistics for interviews.
- Plan and deliver complex governance activities, ensuring problem-solving and robust assurance mapping.
- Assist in statutory returns, audits, and staff surveys.
- Handle other governance duties as directed by senior corporate governance leaders.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree or management qualification or equivalent experience, underpinned by theoretical knowledge
- Hold or be willing to work towards a graduate-level corporate governance qualification
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of corporate governance and its work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge or relevant practical experience
- Recent experience of working in a governance role in complex organisation, preferably in a corporate governance role within the NHS.
- Experience of working with and providing advice within a highly confidential environment, including experience of liaising and operating at Chair, NonExecutive and CEO Level
- Ability to interpret national policy initiatives and identify the relevance to the trust and the governance agenda
- Demonstrable minute-taking skills, including experience of Board-level minute-taking, and extensive experience of servicing and administering high-level meetings
- Ability to understand complex legal, regulatory and statutory requirements
- Experience of undertaking research and presenting the results
- Experience and knowledge of regulatory matters, NHS compliance and corporate governance and extensive experience in their application in complex settings
- The ability to work with senior management, clinical colleagues and other staff, to make sound judgements and respond positively to a rapidly changing environment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree or management qualification or equivalent experience, underpinned by theoretical knowledge
- Hold or be willing to work towards a graduate-level corporate governance qualification
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of corporate governance and its work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge or relevant practical experience
- Recent experience of working in a governance role in complex organisation, preferably in a corporate governance role within the NHS.
- Experience of working with and providing advice within a highly confidential environment, including experience of liaising and operating at Chair, NonExecutive and CEO Level
- Ability to interpret national policy initiatives and identify the relevance to the trust and the governance agenda
- Demonstrable minute-taking skills, including experience of Board-level minute-taking, and extensive experience of servicing and administering high-level meetings
- Ability to understand complex legal, regulatory and statutory requirements
- Experience of undertaking research and presenting the results
- Experience and knowledge of regulatory matters, NHS compliance and corporate governance and extensive experience in their application in complex settings
- The ability to work with senior management, clinical colleagues and other staff, to make sound judgements and respond positively to a rapidly changing environment
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).
