Director of Corporate Governance

NHS; Wigan; On-site; GBP 91,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the UK is seeking an experienced Director of Corporate Governance to ensure effective governance and compliance as a key advisor. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in governance within the NHS and strong interpersonal skills. The role will involve acting as Board Secretary, managing governance frameworks, and supporting leadership teams while promoting patient-centered values. This permanent, full-time position offers a salary ranging from £91,342 to £105,337, with flexible working options.

Qualifications

• Substantial senior-level experience in corporate governance within the NHS.
• Significant experience of risk management and regulatory governance.
• Extensive experience of Board and Committee management.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Trust's chief adviser on corporate governance.
• Serve as Board Secretary and lead Board and Committee support services.
• Ensure effective governance and support arrangements for the Council of Governors.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Relationship-building skills

Strategic influencing skills

Education

Degree-level education

Post-graduate qualification in Corporate Governance

Job description

Job Summary

Job overview

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) is seeking to appoint an experienced and highly credible Director of Corporate Governance to play a pivotal role at the heart of the organisation.

This is a senior leadership and technical governance role, responsible for ensuring that the Trust's corporate governance arrangements are robust, proportionate and effective, enabling the Board to lead with confidence and clarity. Acting as Board Secretary, the postholder will provide authoritative advice to the Chair, Chief Executive, Executive and Non-Executive Directors and Council of Governors on all aspects of corporate governance, assurance and regulatory compliance.

At WWL, we value governance that is purposeful, enabling and human – supporting good decision‑making rather than bureaucracy for its own sake. We are therefore looking for a governance professional with deep expertise, sound judgement and the interpersonal skills to operate effectively in a complex, fast‑paced NHS environment.

Closing date for applications: midnight Monday 12th January 2026.

Final interviews W/C: 26th January 2026.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Trust's chief adviser on corporate governance, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and best‑practice requirements
• Serve as Board Secretary, ensuring the Board and its Committees are properly constituted, supported and effective
• Lead the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the Trust's corporate governance framework, including Standing Orders, Scheme of Delegation and governance policies
• Oversee effective Board and Committee management, ensuring high‑quality agendas, papers, minutes and forward plans
• Lead the Trust's Board Assurance Framework, corporate risk management arrangements and governance links to internal audit
• Lead on the production of the Annual Report and Governance Statement, working closely with Executive colleagues
• Ensure effective governance and support arrangements for the Council of Governors, including induction and development
• Act as the Trust's accountable officer for the Freedom to Speak Up agenda, providing assurance on organisational response to concerns and overseeing the GM ICB FTSU contract
• Lead and develop the executive support and corporate governance teams
• Represent the Trust in discussions with regulators, system partners and external stakeholders
• Participate as a member of the Executive On‑Call rota

Qualifications & Experience

Essential criteria include:

• Degree‑level education or equivalent senior professional experience, with evidence of continuous professional development
• Substantial senior‑level experience in corporate governance within the NHS
• Significant experience of risk management, Board assurance and regulatory governance
• Extensive experience of Board and Committee management, including Company Secretary responsibilities
• Strong analytical, strategic, influencing and relationship‑building skills
• In‑depth knowledge of NHS governance frameworks, legislation and healthcare regulation

Desirable criteria include:

• Post‑graduate qualification in Corporate Governance and/or Risk Management, or a legal qualification
• Membership of relevant professional bodies
• Experience of leading or supporting the Freedom to Speak Up agenda

About Us

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values ‘the WWL Way’.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Details

Posted: 15 December 2025

Band: 8d

Salary: £91,342 to £105,337 a year (Subject to Job Evaluation)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working

Reference number: 302‑25‑7680798CPR

Location: Trust Headquarters – Wigan Lane, Wigan, WN1 2NN

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check – This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions is required.

Certificate of Sponsorship – Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Employer Details

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Trust Headquarters – Wigan Lane, Wigan, WN1 2NN

Person Specification

Qualification

• Degree level education, or equivalent experience
• Post‑Graduate Qualification in Corporate Governance and/or Risk Management, or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Legal Qualification
• Membership of relevant bodies

Experience (Essential)

• Substantial experience of working effectively as in a senior Corporate Governance role
• Substantial experience of risk management and governance within a healthcare enterprise, significant experience gained across the NHS
• Substantial Experience of Board Management / Company Secretary role and responsibilities

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience of leading the Freedom to Speak Up agenda

Skills (Essential)

• Highly developed skills to quickly assess accuracy and relevance of competing sources of information, both written and verbal (e.g. during interviews / hearings, or multi‑source online data)
• Demonstrates commitment and an ability to understand diverse interest groups and power bases within organisations and the wider community and the dynamic between them

Knowledge (Essential)

• Knowledge of NHS legislation and practice that relates to duties, e.g. Code of Governance and Provider Licence requirements
• High level understanding of the principles and good practice in communications and engagement with patients, carers, families, stakeholders and colleagues
• Expert knowledge of healthcare risk and enterprise‑wide risk management techniques

Knowledge (Desirable)

• Full understanding of the Audit Committee Handbook