Corporate Governance Director

Sheffield-Teaching-Hospitals-Nhs-Foundation-Trust; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Corporate Governance Director to lead the Trust’s governance framework and act as Trust Secretary. The post reports to senior leadership, advising the Chair, Chief Executive, and Board on governance, governance risk and regulatory matters.

You will chair board processes, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate with governors and system partners to uphold high standards of probity and accountability.

Qualifications

• Educated to master’s degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent senior-level knowledge and experience.
• Recognised governance qualification, such as Chartered Governance Institute qualification, or equivalent substantial senior governance expertise in a highly complex environment.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to governance, leadership, regulation or organisational management.
• Postgraduate management or leadership qualification, or equivalent senior‑level experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and professional leadership for the Trust’s corporate governance framework and act as Trust Secretary.
• Support the effective operation of the Board of Directors, Council of Governors, and committees with expert governance advice.
• Lead governance, assurance, risk, and Board effectiveness arrangements and contribute to wider leadership of the organisation.
• Provide independent, impartial advice on significant governance matters to the Chair, Chief Executive and Directors.

Skills

Executive leadership

Board-level advisory

Strategic risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Education

Master's degree

Governance qualification

Postgraduate management qualification

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Employer Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Trust-wide, principal base 8 Beech Hill Road Town Sheffield Salary VSM (Very Senior Manager) Closing 26/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 25/11/2026

Corporate Governance Director

Executives / VSM: Executives / VSM

Job overview

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in England, providing a comprehensive range of local, regional and specialist services, and working in partnership with universities, NHS organisations, local authorities, and wider system partners.

We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our Trust Executive Team as Corporate Governance Director.

This is a pivotal leadership role, reporting directly to the Chair and Chief Executive and serving as the Trust Secretary. As a member of the Trust Executive Group, you will help shape the strategic direction, sustainable performance and long-term success of the organisation, ensuring the highest standards of governance, accountability, and stewardship.

You will act as the principal adviser to the Chair, Chief Executive, Board of Directors and Council of Governors on governance, accountability, constitutional compliance, decision‑making, probity and assurance, while leading the continued development of an effective governance framework that supports decision‑making, robust assurance, and organisational improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to influence one of the NHS's leading teaching hospitals at the highest level, working alongside executive and non‑executive leaders, governors and system partners to ensure the Trust remains well‑led, effective and responsive to the needs of our patients, staff, and communities.

Main duties of the job

The Corporate Governance Director will provide strategic and professional leadership for the Trust’s corporate governance framework, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, NHS policy and guidance, the NHS Provider Licence, the Trust Constitution and recognised standards of good governance.

Acting as Trust Secretary, you will support the effective operation and continuous development of the Board of Directors, Council of Governors, and their committees, providing expert advice on governance, constitutional and procedural matters and helping to ensure high‑quality assurance, scrutiny, and decision‑making.

You will lead the Trust's governance framework, including responsibility for constitutional governance, risk and assurance arrangements, Board effectiveness, governor and membership governance, regulatory compliance and Well‑Led development. The role also provides leadership for the Chief Executive's Office and includes responsibility for significant Trust‑wide reviews, strategic programmes and sensitive corporate matters delegated by the Chief Executive.

The successful candidate will bring substantial senior leadership experience in a complex and highly regulated environment, together with exceptional judgement, political awareness and the ability to build trusted relationships, influence at the most senior levels and provide independent, authoritative advice on matters of significant complexity and sensitivity.

Working for our organisation

You will be joining one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the country, recognised nationally for the quality of its clinical services, research, education and innovation. Working in partnership with universities, regional health and care organisations and national bodies, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals plays a leading role in shaping the future of healthcare.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where every colleague is valued, respected and supported to thrive. Our PROUD values underpin how we lead and how we work together: putting Patients First , showing Respect in every interaction, taking Ownership and accountability, working with Unity across teams and organisations, and ensuring Delivery through high‑quality services, innovation, and continuous improvement.

In return, we offer a rewarding environment, opportunities for professional and personal development, and a wide range of policies and benefits designed to support the wellbeing of our people and help them balance their professional and personal lives.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to the leadership and success of an organisation that serves its local communities while influencing healthcare at regional and national level.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Corporate Governance Director is responsible for providing strategic and professional leadership for the Trust's corporate governance framework and acting as Trust Secretary.

The postholder will serve as principal adviser to the Chair, Chief Executive, Board of Directors, and Council of Governors on governance, constitutional, regulatory and accountability matters. They will lead governance, assurance, risk, and Board effectiveness arrangements, support the effective operation of the Board and Council of Governors, lead the Chief Executive's Office and contribute to the wider leadership of the organisation as a member of the Trust Executive Group.

Please see the accompanying detailed Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role, responsibilities and requirements.

Person specification

Qualifications and professional development

• Educated to master’s degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent senior‑level knowledge and experience.
• Recognised governance qualification, such as Chartered Governance Institute qualification, or equivalent substantial senior governance expertise in a highly complex environment.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to governance, leadership, regulation or organisational management.
• Postgraduate management or leadership qualification, or equivalent senior‑level experience.

Experience

• Substantial senior leadership experience in corporate governance within a large, complex and highly regulated organisation.
• Significant experience of advising a Board, Chair, Chief Executive and senior executives on complex governance, constitutional and procedural matters.
• Senior experience within an NHS Foundation Trust or a directly comparable health or public‑sector environment.
• Experience of leading Board and Committee governance, including work programmes, papers, minutes, decision records and effectiveness reviews.
• Experience of working with regulators, external auditors, legal advisers and other external assurance bodies.
• Experience of leading and developing professional teams and managing resources and budgets.
• Experience of supporting a Council of Governors or an equivalent statutory stakeholder body.
• Experience of leading organisational risk, Board Assurance Framework and integrated assurance arrangements.
• Experience of working in large academic health / teaching hospital environment or equivalent experience.
• Experience of leading significant organisational reviews, complex projects or change programmes.
• Experience of acting on behalf of a Chief Executive or equivalent senior office-holder on complex and sensitive matters.
• Experience of leading Well‑led reviews or comparable governance and leadership assessments.
• Experience of complaint resolution and direct engagement with patients, families or the public in sensitive circumstances.

Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of corporate governance principles, Board practice, assurance and decision‑making in complex organisations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of NHS Foundation Trust governance, statutory duties, provider licence requirements and the Code of Governance for NHS Provider Trusts.
• Sound knowledge of risk management, internal control, assurance frameworks, audit and regulatory compliance.

Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional judgement and the ability to provide independent, impartial and authoritative advice in situations of significant complexity or sensitivity.
• Ability to think and act strategically while maintaining a strong grip on detail, delivery and procedural integrity.
• Outstanding written communication skills, including the ability to produce concise, accurate and high‑quality Board reports, briefings and formal records.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex legislation, guidance and evidence.
• Ability to manage multiple high‑priority demands, work calmly under pressure and meet immovable deadlines.
• Confident use of digital tools, Microsoft Office applications and electronic governance systems and willingness to embrace new ways of working including the use of Artificial Intelligence..

Values and behaviours — PROUD

• Patients First: ensures that patients and the people served by the Trust are at the heart of decisions and governance.
• Delivery: maintains a strong focus on outcomes, follows through on commitments and supports continuous improvement.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.