Job summary
Make a Difference at one of the UK's Largest Acute Hospital NHS Trusts
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is seeking an exceptional leader to join our Executive Team as Chief Governance & Performance Officer (CGPO). This is a pivotal board role, providing executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight across all Director-level functions including Corporate Governance, Corporate Affairs, Performance & Planning, Analytics & Insight, Strategic Risk Management, Board & Committee Management, and Communications & Engagement.
As CGPO, you will drive performance improvement, strengthen accountability, and enhance transparency across the Trust, ensuring compliance with regulatory and statutory frameworks. You will work closely with the Chief Executive, Board, Non-Executive Directors, executive colleagues, clinical leaders, and external partners to deliver sustainable improvement in governance, performance, and outcomes.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
Executive leadership for corporate governance, planning and performance, analytics and insight, communications, and organisational assurance.
Principal advisor to the Trust Board, Chair, Chief Executive, and Non-Executive Directors on governance, statutory compliance, performance oversight, and strategic risk management.
Lead the development and operation of integrated frameworks for enhanced accountability, decision-making, and organisational effectiveness.
Ensure high-quality, timely, and transparent information supports Board, regulatory, and operational assurance.
Partner with the Executive Team to co-design and deliver transformation, focusing on patient safety, sustainability, and performance improvement.
About You
We are looking for a credible, trusted, and influential leader with:
Demonstrable experience and successful delivery at executive level, ideally within the NHS or a large, complex, regulated organisation.
Extensive knowledge of corporate governance, statutory and regulatory compliance, assurance frameworks, and Board governance.
Proven track record of leading complex, high-profile programmes and using data, analytics, and insight to drive strategic decision-making and performance improvement.
Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to influence at Board and system level.
Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and the Trust's values: Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- Applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
The advert will close at midnight on 21st January 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on 4th February 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- Applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
The advert will close at midnight on 21st January 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on 4th February 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of qualification
- Evidence of recent continuous professional development in senior leadership, governance, performance or transformation
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working at very senior / executive level, ideally within the NHS or a large, complex, regulated organisation
- Extensive knowledge of corporate governance, statutory and regulatory compliance, assurance frameworks and Board governance
- Demonstrable experience of providing expert advice and assurance to a Trust Board, Chair and Non-Executive Directors
- Proven experience of setting, communicating, and translating strategic vision into deliverable operational plans
- Proven experience of leading complex, high-profile and cross-organisational programmes
- Experience of co-ordinating and overseeing operational and financial planning processes
- Experience of leading teams through periods of uncertainty, transformation, significant risk and scrutiny
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the political context, policy environment, and financial regime in which a Foundation Trust operates
- Detailed understanding of NHS structures, governance requirements and regulatory processes including: 1. NHS Oversight Framework 2. Tiering and Capability Assessment 3. CQC and NHS England requirements
- Knowledge and a proven track record of effective partnership working with senior clinical and operational leaders to co-design and implement change
- Strong track record of using data, analytics and insight to drive strategic decision-making and performance improvement
- Experience of strengthening accountability and performance frameworks and embedding a performance culture
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to demonstrate the Trust's values: Together, Safe, Kind, Excellent
- Inclusive, collaborative, and visionary leadership style
- Strategic thinker with strong communication, interpersonal, negotiating, and influencing skills
- High self-awareness of leadership and impact on others, with the ability to vary styles and approaches
- Curious and innovative, with a strong patient -focused approach
- Able to shape development across the health and social care system
- A proactive champion for equity, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability
- Highly developed strategic thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret complex information and risk
- Ability to coordinate and deliver multiple complex programmes across diverse portfolios simultaneously
- Strong political awareness and ability to navigate highly complex organisational environments
- Excellent negotiation, facilitation and stakeholder management skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of qualification
- Evidence of recent continuous professional development in senior leadership, governance, performance or transformation
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working at very senior / executive level, ideally within the NHS or a large, complex, regulated organisation
- Extensive knowledge of corporate governance, statutory and regulatory compliance, assurance frameworks and Board governance
- Demonstrable experience of providing expert advice and assurance to a Trust Board, Chair and Non-Executive Directors
- Proven experience of setting, communicating, and translating strategic vision into deliverable operational plans
- Proven experience of leading complex, high-profile and cross-organisational programmes
- Experience of co-ordinating and overseeing operational and financial planning processes
- Experience of leading teams through periods of uncertainty, transformation, significant risk and scrutiny
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the political context, policy environment, and financial regime in which a Foundation Trust operates
- Detailed understanding of NHS structures, governance requirements and regulatory processes including: 1. NHS Oversight Framework 2. Tiering and Capability Assessment 3. CQC and NHS England requirements
- Knowledge and a proven track record of effective partnership working with senior clinical and operational leaders to co-design and implement change
- Strong track record of using data, analytics and insight to drive strategic decision-making and performance improvement
- Experience of strengthening accountability and performance frameworks and embedding a performance culture
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to demonstrate the Trust's values: Together, Safe, Kind, Excellent
- Inclusive, collaborative, and visionary leadership style
- Strategic thinker with strong communication, interpersonal, negotiating, and influencing skills
- High self-awareness of leadership and impact on others, with the ability to vary styles and approaches
- Curious and innovative, with a strong patient -focused approach
- Able to shape development across the health and social care system
- A proactive champion for equity, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability
- Highly developed strategic thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret complex information and risk
- Ability to coordinate and deliver multiple complex programmes across diverse portfolios simultaneously
- Strong political awareness and ability to navigate highly complex organisational environments
- Excellent negotiation, facilitation and stakeholder management skills
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital - Division Corporate
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)