Job overview
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Head of Corporate Affairs to provide senior leadership for corporate governance, secretariat services, and assurance.
Reporting to the Company Secretary, the postholder will support the Board of Directors and Council of Governors to operate effectively and compliantly, ensuring the Trust meets its statutory, regulatory, and constitutional duties.
Responsibilities span regulatory and statutory compliance, including Fit and Proper Person requirements, declarations of interest, records management, and the governance interface with Freedom of Information, and corporate risk processes. The postholder will strengthen engagement with the Council of Governors, ensure compliance with Foundation Trust governance requirements, and foster constructive relationships between governors and the Board.
The role also contributes to organisational development through Board effectiveness activity, leadership development, and governance improvement programmes.
This is a high-profile position which offers the opportunity to play a critical part in supporting the Trust’s strategic ambitions and assuring safe, effective, and well-governed care.
Main duties of the job
- Support the Chair in maintaining a high performing Board.
- Support the Company Secretary in all matters of Corporate Governance.
- Ensure a robust planning process to meet all year end and other reporting requirements including annual governance statements and annual reports/accounts.
- Maintain the Board Development programme, planning and responding to strategic needs.
- Support the management of the Board Assurance Framework.
- Ensure that Board Committees are well administrated and effective in their duties.
- Line manage the Risk Manager, Corporate Governance Officers, Policy Team and Executive PAs.
- Be the Information Risk Owner for Corporate Services.
- Ensure all risks are managed effectively within their area of responsibility and working closely with Divisional Colleagues to ensure Trust-wide learning from risks is co-coordinated and embedded in to practice.
- The post holder will report to the Trust’s Company Secretary
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Working closely with the Company Secretary, provide leadership to the Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Policy Management and Executive Assistant functions
- Ensure all matters relating to Corporate Governance are effectively planned and delivered ensuring timely statutory returns and information provision.
- Provide leadership and direction to Trust staff in the effective management of risk, ensuring that a positive, open and supportive risk management culture is adopted and embedded throughout the organisation.
- Supporting the implementation of Risk Management processes that are fit for purpose by coordinating risk management activities and providing training within the Trust as appropriate.
- Supported by the Trust’s Risk Manager, ensure that effective management and update of the Board Assurance Framework.
- Deputise for the Company Secretary on all matters within the portfolio as required.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Ability to present complex ideas in a challenging environment
- Able to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills
- Ability to prioritise and work within tight timescales
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience
Essential
- Worked at senior level in the NHS
- Demonstrable knowledge of Board requirements
- Experience interacting/working closely with directors
- Proven ability to deliver organisational objectives
- Experience of delivering presentations to large groups
- Knowledge and experience of the regulatory landscape
- Experience of turning national guidance into local practice
- Experience of providing assurance, advise and direction at a senior level
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or experience of working at a senior level in a challenging NHS environment for 3 years.
Desirable
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Corporate Affairs with Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Blackpool, North West, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £57,528 - £64,750 Per annum. The contract type is Permanent: Full time hours - 5 days a week. The application deadline is 06 Aug 2026.
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