Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 The postholder will work closely with the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance / Deputy Company Secretary and the wider Corporate Affairs function to support the Board of Directors, Board Committees, Council of Governors and other key groups. The role will help ensure that meetings are well planned, properly administered and supported by clear governance processes, accurate records and high-quality papers.

The Corporate Governance Manager will provide leadership and direction to the corporate governance and membership team, supporting the development, implementation and continuous improvement of governance frameworks, systems and processes. The role will also support compliance with the Trust’s Constitution, Standing Orders, Scheme of Delegation, regulatory requirements and relevant best practice.

This is a varied and influential role requiring strong organisational skills, attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders across the organisation. The postholder will contribute to a high-quality governance service that supports effective decision-making, accountability and assurance across the Trust.

Main Responsibilities

·        Lead and manage the corporate governance and membership team, supporting a collaborative, responsive and improvement-focused service.

·        Oversee governance support for the Board of Directors, Board Committees, Council of Governors and other key meetings, ensuring arrangements are effective, compliant and delivered to a high standard.

·        Develop, maintain and improve governance processes, procedures, templates and toolkits, including agendas, minutes, action logs, forward plans, attendance records and chair’s briefings.

·        Support the Trust’s compliance with its Constitution, Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation, terms of reference and relevant regulatory requirements.

·        Maintain oversight of Board and committee business cycles, forward plans and rolling agendas, working with committee chairs, senior leaders and the Company Secretary function.

·        Quality assure Board and committee papers, providing advice and guidance to report authors to support clear, timely and effective reporting.

·        Attend and minute specified meetings, ensuring discussions, decisions, actions and assurance points are recorded accurately and appropriately.

·        Coordinate and support governance reviews, including Well-led reviews, external governance assessments, annual reporting requirements and related evidence-gathering.

·        Oversee arrangements for the Annual Members’ Meeting and support legally and constitutionally compliant arrangements for Council of Governors elections.

·        Support membership and governor engagement processes, including development and review of the membership strategy and related communication arrangements.

·        Coordinate and maintain effective systems for registers, declarations of interest, conflicts of interest, committee effectiveness reviews and other key governance records.

·        Support the review and maintenance of the Governance Handbook, Board and committee terms of reference, policies, procedures and related governance documentation.

·        Provide advice, guidance and training on corporate governance matters to staff and stakeholders across the Trust.

·        Contribute to corporate governance projects and service improvement initiatives, including the development of standard operating procedures and digital ways of working.

·        Deputise for the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance / Deputy Company Secretary as required.