Assist Director for Governance Risk and Assurance

Job description

Job responsibilities

Assistant Director of Governance, Risk and Assurance

Do you want to be part of the change we’re bringing to mental health support?

Are you a senior leader with strong judgement, credibility and a passion for good governance? This is a rare opportunity to join Northpoint at a pivotal point in our growth, providing strategic leadership across governance, risk and assurance and working closely with our CEO, Trustees, Senior Management Team, Clinical Lead and Clinical Governance Group.

Why us

Northpoint is an established regional provider of mental health services for children, young people and adults across Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Our vision is a world that supports good mental health for all, and our values are professionalism, responsiveness, collaboration and transparency.

You’ll be joining Northpoint at a pivotal time, as we prepare to launch a new strategy that will guide our growth, strengthen our impact and shape the future of our services.[RK1] 

As we continue to grow in scale, influence and complexity, strong governance, clear assurance and confident risk management are central to how we maintain quality, trust and accountability.

At Northpoint, you’ll be part of a valuesled organisation that takes its responsibilities seriously and supports senior leaders to work with integrity, clarity and impact.

We offer:

• 35 hours per week (parttime considered, 28 hours+)
• £64,430 – £74,090 (based on 35 hours)
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays, pro rata)
• Up to three discretionary Christmas leave days
• Auto-enrolment pension scheme
• Flexible working where possible
• Regular supervision and CPD opportunities
• A warm, values-driven environment built on trust, inclusion and collaboration

What you will be doing as our Assistant Director of Governance, Risk & Assurance

You will provide strategic, independent leadership across governance, organisational risk and assurance, helping the Board, Senior Management Team and Clinical Lead maintain strong oversight as the organisation evolves.

This includes:

• Leading organisational and clinical governance frameworks and Board assurance
• Owning the organisation’s approach to risk management, compliance and assurance
• Leading senior relationships with Trustees, regulators, commissioners and auditors
• Providing clear, credible advice and constructive challenge at Executive and Board level
• Overseeing data, impact and performance insight to support strategic decisionmaking
• Safeguarding Northpoint’s reputation, values and longterm sustainability

This is a strategic leadership role, focused on organisational grip, judgement and influence rather than daytoday operational delivery.

What are we looking for in our ideal candidate?

You will be a credible, valuesled leader who can operate confidently at senior and Board level, bringing strong judgement, emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex or contested environments.

Experience within mental health, health, social care or the VCSE sector is desirable but not essential.

Key dates

• Closing date: 19th April 2026
• Interviews: 29th April 2026

Interested?

Please click Apply to be considered for our Assistant Director of Governance, Risk and Assurance role. We would love to hear from you.

We’re excited about this role and expect a high level of interest We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in, so we encourage early applications if we receive a high level of interest, we may close the advert early.

Northpoint is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Flexible working and job share opportunities are available where possible.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to a standard DBS check.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience

Desirable

• Significant senior leadership experience within a regulated, complex or multi-stakeholder environment (e.g. third sector, health, social care, public sector)

Experience

Essential

• Substantial senior leadership experience in governance, risk, quality, assurance or organisational development.
• Experience of providing assurance, performance reporting and strategic advice to Boards or senior leadership teams.
• Experience of developing and embedding organisational risk management frameworks and risk registers.
• Experience of leading or overseeing regulatory compliance and quality assurance systems.
• Experience of leading organisational change, transformation or complex programmes.
• Experience of line managing and developing senior or specialist staff

Desirable

• Experience within mental health services, health and social care, or VCSE/third sector organisations.
• Experience of regulatory inspections or formal external scrutiny processes

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

• Strong understanding of organisational and clinical governance principles.
• Sound knowledge of risk management frameworks and assurance methodologies.
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and continuous improvement approaches.
• Understanding of data governance, information security and data protection legislation (including the Data Protection Act 2018).
• Knowledge of outcomes measurement and impact reporting within a service-based or third sector environment.

Desirable

• n/a

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Ability to operate credibly at senior leadership level, providing independent oversight, sound judgement and constructive challenge while balancing strategic priorities with operational realities.
• Strong capability to design, implement and oversee effective governance, risk management and assurance frameworks, ensuring clear escalation, robust controls and Board confidence.
• Highly developed analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex risk, quality and performance data, translating this into clear, actionable insight for executive and Board-level decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality Board reports, present complex information clearly, and influence a wide range of stakeholder.
• Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate specialist teams, fostering accountability, high performance and crossorganisational collaboration while maintaining independence and objectivity

Desirable

• n/a

Qualities and Values

Essential

• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and equity.
• Demonstrates values consistent with those of Northpoint.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability.
• Calm, credible and confident under pressure

Desirable

• n/a

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Northpoint Wellbeing Ltd

Address

SMALL MILL

CHADWICK STREET

LEEDS

West Yorkshire

LS19 1JN

Employer's website

https://northpoint.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)