Head of Corporate Governance

Job overview

Responsible to the Trust Secretary for providing assurance to the Board that the Trust operates within the laws, regulations and codes of good practice that apply to NHS Foundation Trusts.

Responsible for managing and ensuring the provision of comprehensive and effective support to the Trust Board, the Council of Governors and the Executive and all their supporting groups.

Supporting the Trust Secretary in the development of a corporate governance compliance function within the Trust.

Responsible for managing the Trust’s system for compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection legislation and information governance policies.

Responsible for the membership function of the Trust, including the development of a membership strategy and the implementation of engagement plans.

Main duties of the job

• 1.    Oversee the provision of governance and committee support services to the decision-making bodies and executive function within the Trust 2.    Deputise for the Trust Secretary in their company secretarial role in their absence. 3.    Managing the Corporate Governance Department and the services its delivers, including those in respect of corporate governance, information governance, freedom of information, data protection and Foundation Trust membership. 4.    Provide guidance, specialist advice and training to the Board of Directors, Governors and other senior managers on the Constitution, Standing Orders and other governance matters as required. 5.    Monitor and initiate action that gives the Board of Directors, Council of Governors and the Executive assurance that the Trust operates within the laws, regulations and codes of good practice that apply to NHS Foundation Trusts and that the highest standards of corporate governance are maintained.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Governance and Compliance

1. Establish and monitor procedures to ensure that the Trust complies with all relevant legal, constitutional, and regulatory requirements.

2.    Monitor the corporate governance and compliance implications of all papers submitted to the Trust Board, the Council of Governors, the Executive and all their sub groups

3 .    Ensure that the Trust has in place sound governance policies, procedures and structures to promote and ensure probity in the conduct of business and compliance with policies.

4.  Establish arrangements to monitor compliance with Standing Orders and other internal Trust policies.

5.  Co-ordinate amendments to the Trust’s Constitution and Standing Orders ensuring effective consideration by the Council of Governors and the Board of Directors.

6.  Keep up to date on developments in corporate governance in the UK and elsewhere through regular research, reading and attending relevant events. Provide specialist knowledge of Foundation Trusts’ best practice, organisational policies and procedures, and governance to the Chief Executive, Executive Directors, their direct reports, external organisations, Trust staff, Governors, Trust Members and the general public when required.

7.  Monitor the procedures in place for the correct administration of subsidiary organisations and joint ventures.

8.  Be responsible for the Trust Seal and ensure all legal documents are properly signed, sealed, witnessed and Trust Seal usage reported to the Board.

9  Maintain the Trust’s Register of Interests for Board Directors, all Trust staff and the Council of Governors, undertaking annual review that is formally reported to the Board and assessed by the Trust’s Counter-Fraud, Internal and External Audit services. Ensure these registers are routinely updated on the Trust’s website.