Corporate Governance Lead

HOSPICE UK; Bury St Edmunds; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Enhanced sick pay

Group pension plan

Health cash plan & Wellbeing programme

Free onsite parking

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

St Nicholas Hospice Care seeks an experienced Corporate Governance Lead and Data Protection Officer to provide strategic leadership across corporate governance, risk and information governance. You will work with the Board, Executive Team and senior leaders to ensure assurance reporting and ongoing improvement.

You will act as the Data Protection Officer, advising on data protection and information governance, and promoting a culture of confidentiality and responsible information use.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in corporate governance, risk, compliance or information governance within a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Experience applying information governance principles in practice.
• Experience reporting to Boards or governance committees with professional independence.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for corporate governance and organisational risk management across the Hospice.
• Ensure data protection and information governance are integrated into governance practices.
• Offer expert advice and challenge to the Board, Executive Team and senior leaders.
• Lead and report on governance assurance, incidents, risk reporting and compliance activity.

Skills

Corporate governance

Risk management

Information governance

UK GDPR

Independence

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

An exciting leadership opportunity at St Nicholas Hospice Care

St Nicholas Hospice Care is a local charity supporting nearly 2,000 people every year across West Suffolk and Thetford. We provide care in multiple settings, offering specialist clinical support, practical help, and services for families, carers, and those experiencing bereavement.

We are seeking an experienced and values-driven professional to join us as our Corporate Governance Lead.

This role will work collaboratively with the Clinical Governance Lead to support integrated, effective and proportionate governance across the Hospice. Together, the postholders will help ensure that our clinical and corporate governance, organisational assurance and risk management arrangements are aligned, clearly reported and support continuous improvement across the organisation.

As our Corporate Governance Lead, you will provide strategic leadership and independent assurance across corporate governance, organisational risk, data protection and corporate change programmes.

You will work closely with our Board, Executive Team, Directors and senior leaders, providing expert advice, constructive challenge and clear assurance reporting. You will lead the Hospice’s corporate governance and organisational risk management arrangements and help embed effective governance within strategic and operational decision-making.

As the organisation’s Data Protection Officer, you will provide independent professional advice and oversight on data protection and information governance, act as the principal point of contact with the Information Commissioner’s Office where required and promote a strong culture of confidentiality and responsible information use. You will also lead and support corporate-level project and change activity, providing structured oversight of complex or higher-risk programmes and strategic initiatives.

About you

The successful candidate will:

• have significant experience in corporate governance, risk, compliance or information governance within a complex organisation
• demonstrate strong professional knowledge of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
• have experience of applying information governance principles in practice
• have operated in, or closely supported, a statutory or advisory role requiring professional independence, such as a Data Protection Officer role
• understand corporate governance practices, including policies, risk management, incidents and assurance reporting
• communicate clearly and confidently with colleagues at all levels, including senior leaders, Board members and external regulators
• be highly organised and able to interpret complex legislative and regulatory information and turn it into clear, practical guidance
• demonstrate credibility, discretion and the ability to influence and challenge constructively.

Experience of working within a regulated healthcare or charity environment, working with Boards or governance committees, or leading organisational change or cross-functional projects would be advantageous.

Working at St Nicholas Hospice Care

Both roles offer the opportunity to influence governance and improvement across the Hospice, working with colleagues who are committed to providing the best possible support to people facing dying, death and bereavement.

What we offer

• 25 days annual leave increasing to 29 with service
• Enhanced Occupational sick pay scheme
• Access to a group pension plan
• A Health Cash Plan & Wellbeing programme
• Free onsite parking
• Access to Blue Light Card scheme with a range of discounts