Band 8c - Trust Secretary, Corporate

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Watford is seeking an exceptional Trust Secretary to ensure governance compliance and oversee Board effectiveness. The role involves managing Board processes, supporting strategic direction, and enhancing assurance across the organisation. The ideal candidate will have significant governance experience, excellent communication skills, and a Master’s degree or equivalent. This is an exciting time to join as the Trust navigates NHS reforms, offering flexible working options and a commitment to staff wellbeing.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a Trust Secretary or senior governance leader in a large public organisation.
• Advanced knowledge of statutory compliance and NHS regulatory requirements.
• High levels of integrity and the ability to manage complex information.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of Board and committee governance.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and NHS regulatory requirements.
• Support Non-Executive Director recruitment and induction.

Skills

Advanced knowledge of corporate governance

Outstanding communication skills

Integrity and political awareness

Leadership skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Education

Master's degree or equivalent experience

Chartered Governance Institute membership or equivalent

Formal training in risk management or Board governance

Job description

Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 8c - Trust Secretary, Corporate

The closing date is 14 December 2025

Are you an exceptional governance professional with the expertise, confidence, and integrity to support our Board at a time of significant national and local transformation?

We are seeking an outstanding Trust Secretary to join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and play a pivotal role in shaping our governance, assurance, and strategic direction.

Main duties of the job

Working closely with the Director of Corporate Affairs, the successful candidate will ensure the Trust operates with the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity. As Trust Secretary, you will be the Trust's lead expert on Board effectiveness, statutory compliance, and the coordination of assurance across the organisation. The Trust Secretary will have responsibility for:

• Managing all aspects of Board and committee governance
• Ensuring compliance with statutory, constitutional, and NHS England regulatory requirements
• Overseeing the Board Assurance Framework and corporate governance environment
• Supporting Non-Executive Director recruitment, induction, appraisals and succession planning
• Leading on the Annual Report, Annual Governance Statement and Annual General Meeting
• Supporting CQC Well-Led evidence and external governance reviews
• Oversight of key corporate registers, declarations and governance documentation

This is an exciting time to join the Trust as we navigate the next phase of NHS reform. The successful candidate will bring deep insight into the evolving governance landscape outlined in the NHS 10-Year Plan. Alongside the Director of Corporate Affairs, the Trust Secretary will provide expert advice to the Board, helping the Trust respond to national reforms and positioning our governance arrangements to meet the requirements of future NHS models.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]. If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

We are looking for an exceptional individual who brings:

• Significant experience as a Trust Secretary, Company Secretary, or senior governance leader in a large, complex public or regulated organisation.
• Advanced knowledge of corporate governance, statutory compliance and NHS regulatory requirements.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with Executives, NEDs and senior clinical leaders.
• High levels of integrity, judgement, and political awareness.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop and motivate governance teams.

This is a high‑profile role that requires confidence, resilience, and the ability to manage complex information, demanding deadlines, and sensitive matters with skill and diplomacy. If you believe you have the expertise, experience, and personal qualities to lead our corporate governance function and help to support our Board through the next chapter of NHS reform, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Person Specification

Education

• Master's degree or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD.
• Advanced knowledge of corporate governance and statutory requirements.
• Chartered Governance Institute (CGI/ICSA) membership, or equivalent legal/accounting qualification.
• Formal training in risk management or Board governance.

Knowledge

• Expert understanding of corporate governance, risk, assurance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Highly developed analytical, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to synthesise complex information into clear recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to operate with political awareness and discretion.
• Knowledge of CQC well‑led requirements.

Experience

• Significant experience as Company/Trust Secretary or senior governance leader in a large, complex or regulated organisation.
• Extensive experience managing Board and committee processes.
• Proven track record of developing governance frameworks.
• Experience working with auditors, regulators, and external assurance bodies.
• Experience managing a team.
• NHS governance experience.
• Experience of delivering digital transformation of Board systems.
• Experience of preparing organisations for regulatory inspections.

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust