Company Secretary

Job overview

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional and experienced Company Secretary to provide strategic governance leadership at Board level during an exciting period of organisational development and collaboration across our wider health system.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, working closely with the Group Chief Executive Officer and accountable to the Group Chair, this high-profile role sits at the heart of the organisation and provides expert advice, assurance and support to the Board of Directors, Council of Governors and senior leadership team.

You will lead the Trust's corporate governance, board assurance and risk management functions, ensuring the highest standards of governance, transparency and accountability. You will be a trusted advisor to the Group Chair, Group Chief Executive, Managing Director and Non-Executive Directors, providing authoritative guidance on constitutional, statutory, regulatory and governance matters. You will lead the Trust Secretariat function, oversee the Board Assurance Framework and risk management arrangements, support CQC Well-Led compliance, and act as a trusted advisor on constitutional, statutory and governance matters.

We are seeking an experienced governance professional with substantial NHS board governance experience, expert knowledge of NHS regulatory frameworks, excellent communication skills and the credibility to influence and challenge constructively at Board level.

Main duties of the job

• The role of Company Secretary is pivotal within the Trust. The post holder acts as an advisor to the Chair, Chief Executive, Board, Council of Governors, Clinical Directorates and the organisation as a whole on all aspects of governance, ensuring the Trust benefits from high quality, progressive governance practices.
• With the Chair, ensure that the Board of Directors and its Committees are properly constituted, operated and supported.
• Implement and maintain a Board Assurance Framework and scheme of delegation which reflects the strategic ambition of the Trust, its objectives, risks and progress against these.
• Ensure all directorates and business units of the Trust complies with best practice standards of governance as determined by NHS England/Improvement and CQC.
• Ensure the Council of Governors is supported effectively in their statutory roles, including support at meetings and development sessions.
• Provide a Secretariat function to facilitate the effective working of the Board of Directors, its Committees, and the Council of Governors and its working groups, including the Nominations and Remuneration Committee. Support the Chair and Chief Executive Officer in the effective conduct of Board of Directors and the Council of Governors business.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached a copy of the job description and person specification, to support with the application process.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.