Isle of Wight NHS Trust

Group Director of Corporate Governance

The closing date is 03 September 2025

Job summary

Please note, this post is only open for applications from individuals employed within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Care System.

Organisations within scope are as follows:

  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • Isle of Wight NHS Trust
  • Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
  • University Hospital Southampton
  • South Central Ambulance Service
  • Hampshire Hospitals

Main duties of the job

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust are looking for a Group Director of Corporate Governance to provide professional and strategic advice on all corporate governance matters to the Chief Executive, Chair, Executive Team, and Board members.

About the Role

As the Group Director of Corporate Governance, you will be responsible for a wide range of critical functions, ensuring the Trusts operate with a robust and compliant governance framework.

About us

Working as a partnership, both the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust have a shared vision for excellence in care for our patients and communities; with a set of strategic aims underpinning how we will achieve this.

You may be based at either IWT or PHU and individuals may be required to undertake business travel between sites. For leaders managing staff across multi-site locations, you will need to be visible and provide in person leadership. The arrangements and frequency will be agreed locally.

Details

Date posted

29 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£109,179 to £125,637 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

REF1694Q

Job locations

St Mary's Hospital. Parkhurst Road

Newport

Isle of Wight

PO30 5TG


Queen Alexandra Hospital

Southwick Hill Road

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Board and Committee Support:Managing the Board Secretariat, including overseeing Board and Sub-Committee meetings. You will work closely with the Chair and Chief Executive to set agendas, coordinate reports, and ensure the smooth operation of all formal decision-making processes.
  • Corporate Governance & Compliance:Leading continuous improvement in corporate governance, keeping the Trusts up to date with best practices and regulatory requirements. You'll design and implement control processes and risk management arrangements, and ensure the Trusts are fully compliant with legal, constitutional, and internal rules, including Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs).
  • Company Secretariat Duties:Ensuring the Trusts' constitution is followed, acting as the key liaison with external bodies like NHS Providers, and leading the preparation of the annual report. You will also maintain key registers, such as those for interests and gifts.
  • Freedom of Information (FOI) & Subject Access Requests (SAR):Providing leadership and management to the Trusts' FOI and SAR services, ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and providing expert advice to managers and staff.
  • People and Financial Management:You will have full budgetary management responsibility for your areas and will lead and manage staff within the Board Secretariat and the PA/EA teams for the Trusts. This includes recruitment, training, and performance management.

Who We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate governance, strong leadership skills, and the ability to provide strategic advice at the highest level. You will be a skilled manager, an excellent communicator, and someone who can build strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, from the Chief Executive to the Non-Executive Directors.

If you are a highly motivated professional with a deep understanding of governance in a complex environment, this is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact within leading NHS Trusts.

Please see enclosed Job Description for further details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Board and Committee Support:Managing the Board Secretariat, including overseeing Board and Sub-Committee meetings. You will work closely with the Chair and Chief Executive to set agendas, coordinate reports, and ensure the smooth operation of all formal decision-making processes.
  • Corporate Governance & Compliance:Leading continuous improvement in corporate governance, keeping the Trusts up to date with best practices and regulatory requirements. You'll design and implement control processes and risk management arrangements, and ensure the Trusts are fully compliant with legal, constitutional, and internal rules, including Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs).
  • Company Secretariat Duties:Ensuring the Trusts' constitution is followed, acting as the key liaison with external bodies like NHS Providers, and leading the preparation of the annual report. You will also maintain key registers, such as those for interests and gifts.
  • Freedom of Information (FOI) & Subject Access Requests (SAR):Providing leadership and management to the Trusts' FOI and SAR services, ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and providing expert advice to managers and staff.
  • People and Financial Management:You will have full budgetary management responsibility for your areas and will lead and manage staff within the Board Secretariat and the PA/EA teams for the Trusts. This includes recruitment, training, and performance management.

Who We're Looking For

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate governance, strong leadership skills, and the ability to provide strategic advice at the highest level. You will be a skilled manager, an excellent communicator, and someone who can build strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, from the Chief Executive to the Non-Executive Directors.

If you are a highly motivated professional with a deep understanding of governance in a complex environment, this is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact within leading NHS Trusts.

Please see enclosed Job Description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to a Master's degree level with relevant post graduate qualifications.
  • Further evidence of; management/leadership training with demonstrable record of continuous professional.
  • development/ ICSA.
  • Good theoretical and practical knowledge of all relevant policy areas.
  • Registered professional with relevant professional body (law, governance).

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience at Board level or at near Board level in a large complex organisation.
  • Significant Governance experience at a senior level at least Associate Director level in a role which includes Clinical & Quality Governance, Assurance and Risk Management.
  • Demonstrable experience of working with Chairs, Non-Executive Directors, Chief Executives, and senior clinicians.
  • Experience of dealing with corporate governance and business conduct principles in a large organisation supported by sound clinical & corporate governance systems and processes.
  • A proven track record in delivering results in a complex environment.
  • Experience of working in an organisation under public and political scrutiny.
  • Knowledge of clinical and non-clinical performance and standards frameworks
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to a Master's degree level with relevant post graduate qualifications.
  • Further evidence of; management/leadership training with demonstrable record of continuous professional.
  • development/ ICSA.
  • Good theoretical and practical knowledge of all relevant policy areas.
  • Registered professional with relevant professional body (law, governance).

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience at Board level or at near Board level in a large complex organisation.
  • Significant Governance experience at a senior level at least Associate Director level in a role which includes Clinical & Quality Governance, Assurance and Risk Management.
  • Demonstrable experience of working with Chairs, Non-Executive Directors, Chief Executives, and senior clinicians.
  • Experience of dealing with corporate governance and business conduct principles in a large organisation supported by sound clinical & corporate governance systems and processes.
  • A proven track record in delivering results in a complex environment.
  • Experience of working in an organisation under public and political scrutiny.
  • Knowledge of clinical and non-clinical performance and standards frameworks

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Isle of Wight NHS Trust

Address

St Mary's Hospital. Parkhurst Road

Newport

Isle of Wight

PO30 5TG


Employer's website

https://www.iow.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Isle of Wight NHS Trust

Address

St Mary's Hospital. Parkhurst Road

Newport

Isle of Wight

PO30 5TG


Employer's website

https://www.iow.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruitment Consultant

Claire Winter

claire.winter9@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

29 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 9

Salary

£109,179 to £125,637 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

REF1694Q

Job locations

St Mary's Hospital. Parkhurst Road

Newport

Isle of Wight

PO30 5TG


Queen Alexandra Hospital

Southwick Hill Road

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY


Supporting documents

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