Job summary
We are seeking to make an interim appointment on a fixed term contract for three months initially to provide cover in this key role. The interim appointment may be extended further if agreed.
This is a key post in our organisation and will report directly to the Chief Executive and be a member of the Executive Team. The role will work closely with the Chair, Chief Executive, members of the Board, the Council of Governors, the Executive Team and other senior colleagues internally and externally.
The North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) formally came into being on 1 November 2024. This followed several years where the former Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust and former Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust had been working together as the North London Mental Health Partnership. We have an exciting future ahead, with the proposed acquisition of the nearby Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust into the NLFT from 1 April 2026.
For this key role, we are seeking to appoint an experienced senior governance professional, who will be supported by an Assistant Director of Corporate Governance and a team of four other corporate governance staff.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead the continued development of all aspects of the governance framework of the new organisation and offers significant scope for personal and professional development. They will directly support the Chair and Chief Executive and provide expert advice, support and understanding of the corporate governance requirements of an NHS Foundation Trust and will ensure the organisation delivers its accountabilities and corporate governance requirements in full.
About us
We serve a very diverse population of 1.8 million people across the London Boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. We have a combined annual budget of £670 million and employ 6,000 staff.
We provide all age acute and community mental health services across North London, as well as some services regionally and nationally, including personality disorders, children's inpatient mental health services, inpatient eating disorders and a range of CQC Outstanding rated Forensic mental health services for people in the criminal justice system with serious mental health conditions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further details of the main responsibilities of this role can be found within the attached job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further details of the main responsibilities of this role can be found within the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate level education andoEducated to Masters Degree level or equivalent experience, preferably supported by a formal management/ business qualification/or professional qualification
Desirable
- Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in an NHS provider organisation at a senior level in a similar role
- Experience of providing strategic Board level assurance and leadership of key organisational business
- Significant experience of working with Regulators, Boards, Foundation Trust Governors and a wide range of stakeholders
- Significant experience of working in a similar role in an NHS Foundation Trust
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of the accountabilities, autonomy and requirements of an NHS Foundation Trust
- Significant knowledge and understanding of Freedom of Information, GDPR and Data Protection Act requirements, and associated NHS responsibilities.
Skills
Essential
- ble to develop successful relationships with internal colleagues and departments as well as externally with a wide range of stakeholders and work with individuals and groups from a range of backgrounds
- Ability to make a wider corporate contribution to the organisational strategies and decision making operating comfortably at the most senior levels, including with Board members
- High degree of political sensitivity and experience of dealing with a range of issues in a complex stakeholder environment
- Ability to assimilate, process and communicate very complex and often conflicting information to advise the Chair, Chief Executive, Board members and Governors as appropriate
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to mental health improvement
- Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity
- Ability to manage self and exhibit personal skills, including self-awareness, self-management and drive for improvement and be able to lead others effectively
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate level education andoEducated to Masters Degree level or equivalent experience, preferably supported by a formal management/ business qualification/or professional qualification
Desirable
- Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in an NHS provider organisation at a senior level in a similar role
- Experience of providing strategic Board level assurance and leadership of key organisational business
- Significant experience of working with Regulators, Boards, Foundation Trust Governors and a wide range of stakeholders
- Significant experience of working in a similar role in an NHS Foundation Trust
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of the accountabilities, autonomy and requirements of an NHS Foundation Trust
- Significant knowledge and understanding of Freedom of Information, GDPR and Data Protection Act requirements, and associated NHS responsibilities.
Skills
Essential
- ble to develop successful relationships with internal colleagues and departments as well as externally with a wide range of stakeholders and work with individuals and groups from a range of backgrounds
- Ability to make a wider corporate contribution to the organisational strategies and decision making operating comfortably at the most senior levels, including with Board members
- High degree of political sensitivity and experience of dealing with a range of issues in a complex stakeholder environment
- Ability to assimilate, process and communicate very complex and often conflicting information to advise the Chair, Chief Executive, Board members and Governors as appropriate
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to mental health improvement
- Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity
- Ability to manage self and exhibit personal skills, including self-awareness, self-management and drive for improvement and be able to lead others effectively
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).
