Director of Corporate Governance & Compliance

Job overview

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced and strategically focused leader to join our senior leadership team as Director of Corporate Governance & Compliance.

This is a pivotal Board-facing role, responsible for ensuring robust governance, assurance and regulatory compliance across the Trust, working closely with the Chief Executive, Board of Directors and Council of Governors.

We are looking for a credible senior leader with experience at, or close to, Board level, and a strong track record in corporate governance, risk and regulatory frameworks. You will provide expert advice to senior stakeholders, oversee Board and Committee governance, and ensure effective assurance systems that support organisational performance and integrity.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established Director or an experienced Deputy Director ready to step into a high-impact leadership role, shaping governance across a complex NHS organisation and supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.

Main duties of the job

• The Director of Corporate Affairs & Governance is a key member of the Trust’s Executive Team, providing strategic leadership, advice and assurance across corporate governance, risk management, legal services, and regulatory compliance.
• The postholder will ensure the Trust operates within statutory and regulatory frameworks, while supporting effective decision-making at Executive and Board level.
• The postholder will also act as the Company Secretary for the Frimley Health Charity.
• The role is pivotal in maintaining high standards of transparency, accountability, and probity, ensuring the Trust meets its obligations as an NHS Foundation Trust and delivers robust assurance to our populations, our patients, our people, our regulators and our stakeholders.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Corporate Governance

• Lead the development and implementation of best practice corporate governance frameworks across the Trust.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and NHS requirements, including NHS England guidance.
• Provide expert advice to the Board and Executive on governance matters.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and delivery of Board and Committee business.
• Ensure the Trust’s Constitution and Standing Orders are maintained and adhered to.
• Ensure continued compliance with CQC well-led, NHSE Board capability assessment, Fit and Proper Persons Test, Nolan Principles and any other relevant frameworks, including Board succession planning.
• Work closely with the Director of Quality Governance, Risk and Assurance to ensure alignment and assurance of risk management and governance processes relevant across corporate and clinical areas.
• Responsibility for corporate policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Maintain an up-to-date register of external visits and accreditations and report on these where appropriate.
• Plan and coordinate the development of the Annual Report and Accounts, working closely with the finance and communications functions.

Company Secretary Function

• Act as Trust Company Secretary, advising the Chair, Chief Executive, and Board on governance and legal obligations.
• Ensure effective administration of Board, Committee and Executive Team meetings, including agendas, papers, minutes, and action tracking.
• Maintain statutory registers and ensure compliance with FT governance requirements.
• Support Board development and effectiveness reviews.

Board Assurance Framework (BAF)

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of the Board Assurance Framework.
• Ensure alignment between strategic objectives, risks, controls, and assurances.
• Provide high-quality reporting to the Board and Committees on risk and assurance.
• Support Executive Directors in identifying and managing strategic risks.

Corporate Risk Management

• Working closely with the Director of Quality Governance, Risk and Assurance, contribute to the delivery and assurance of risk management arrangements that comply with internal and external standards and best practice requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the quality of risk management, particularly the internal control environment.
• Develop and maintain a robust, risk management framework and comprehensive Board Assurance Framework.
• Ensure effective identification, escalation, and mitigation of risks.
• Oversee the Corporate Risk Register and ensure alignment with divisional risks.
• Promote a positive risk management culture across the organisation.

Freedom of Information (FOI)

• Oversee the Trust’s Freedom of Information function, ensuring compliance with statutory deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Ensure robust systems for managing FOI requests, Subject Access Requests, and information disclosures.
• Provide assurance on transparency and openness in line with legal obligations

Legal Services

• Lead the provision of legal services to the Trust, including management of the internal team and of external legal advisors.
• Ensure legal risks are identified, mitigated, and appropriately reported.
• Provide strategic legal advice to the Board and Executive Team.
• Act as General Counsel to the Board and Executive Team, providing strategic legal and governance advice across a wide range of areas including (but not limited to): compliance & regulation, clinical negligence, employers and public liability, contracting and agreements, estates issues and support HR with employment matters.

Non-Executive Directors (NEDs)

• Lead the coordination and support of Non-Executive Directors.
• Ensure NEDs receive high-quality information and support to fulfil their roles effectively.
• Facilitate induction, appraisal, and ongoing development of NEDs.
• Act as a key liaison between NEDs and the Executive Team.

Council of Governors

• Provide leadership and support to the Council of Governors.
• Ensure Governors are equipped to fulfil their statutory duties.
• Support the Chair to engage and communicate effectively with the Governors
• Oversee Governor engagement, elections, and development programmes.
• Act as a key point of contact between Governors, the Board, and the wider organisation.

Leadership and Strategy

• Contribute to the overall strategic leadership of the Trust as a member of the Executive Team.
• Promote a culture of openness, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, manage, and develop  the Corporate Governance function.
• Ensure effective stakeholder engagement, both internally and externally.