Job summary
Are you passionate about good governance, confident working with senior leaders, and ready to play a pivotal role at the heart of a dynamic NHS Foundation Trust?
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Corporate Services Manager and Board Secretary to join our Corporate Services team. This is a key leadership role, supporting the effective operation of our Trust Board and Council of Governors, and ensuring we meet our statutory and regulatory responsibilities with integrity and transparency.
You'll work closely with the Chair, Chief Executive, and senior leaders across the organisation, providing expert advice on governance and compliance. You'll also lead a small team, manage the Trust's Constitution and governance frameworks, and help shape how we operate at the highest level.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys working collaboratively, and has a keen eye for detail. If you're looking to make a real impact and support the delivery of high-quality care through excellent corporate governance, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
Coordinate and administer meetings of the Trust Board and Council of Governors, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and accurate minute-taking.
Maintain and update the Trust's Constitution and corporate governance documents.
Provide governance advice to the Chair, Chief Executive, and senior leaders, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Manage statutory registers, including declarations of interest and fit and proper person checks.
Oversee the planning and delivery of elections, inductions, and development programmes for governors and non-executive directors.
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including regulators and legal advisors, on governance matters.
Line manage the Corporate Services Officer and Administration Assistant, supporting their development and workload planning.
Support the delivery of annual reporting requirements and contribute to the continuous improvement of governance processes.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent experience working in similar roles
- Evidence of significant personal development, both professionally and managerially
Desirable
- Management Qualification
- Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) - post graduate level qualification
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of corporate governance legislation and best practice
- Understands roles and relationships between Chairman, Chief Executive, Executive and Non-Executive Directors and Council of Governors
- Knowledge of NHS Foundation Trust application and development process
- Experience in producing Board papers and formal meeting minutes
- Knowledge of legal and compliance requirements pertaining to NHS Foundation Trusts
- Understanding of risk management and wider governance issues impacting upon an NHS Foundation Trust
Desirable
- Experience of working as a Company Secretary (or equivalent role), or in a senior governance role
- Experience of working in an organisation under public and political scrutiny
Additional Criteria
Essential
- SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Ability to monitor compliance requirements and where necessary influence relevant policies and changes to policies
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Highly developed communication, interpersonal, facilitation and negotiation skills with ability to gain and sustain credibility with Board of Directors, Council of Governors, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Effective interpersonal and influencing skills
- Able to present well-reasoned and structured argument orally and in writing
- Good presentation skills
- Ability to explain complex matters to non-experts
- PLANNING, ORGANISING AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- High degree of personal integrity
- Good political awareness
- Ability to work under pressure to demanding timescales and deadlines
- Confident in working with high profile organisations
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent team player with skills to develop collaborative relationships
- Ability to establish effective working relationships and to quickly gain the confidence of others
- Ability to work without direct supervision and to be diplomatic, tactful and confidential
- OTHER
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
- Able to work flexibly, e.g. in evenings to attend Board and Council of Governors meetings.
- Able to travel to locations within the county.
Desirable
- SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Ability to manage and monitor budgets
- PLANNING, ORGANISING AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- In depth knowledge of databases for audit and other purposes
- Ability to communicate with members and the general public in sometimes distressing or emotive circumstances.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent experience working in similar roles
- Evidence of significant personal development, both professionally and managerially
Desirable
- Management Qualification
- Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) - post graduate level qualification
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of corporate governance legislation and best practice
- Understands roles and relationships between Chairman, Chief Executive, Executive and Non-Executive Directors and Council of Governors
- Knowledge of NHS Foundation Trust application and development process
- Experience in producing Board papers and formal meeting minutes
- Knowledge of legal and compliance requirements pertaining to NHS Foundation Trusts
- Understanding of risk management and wider governance issues impacting upon an NHS Foundation Trust
Desirable
- Experience of working as a Company Secretary (or equivalent role), or in a senior governance role
- Experience of working in an organisation under public and political scrutiny
Additional Criteria
Essential
- SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Ability to monitor compliance requirements and where necessary influence relevant policies and changes to policies
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Highly developed communication, interpersonal, facilitation and negotiation skills with ability to gain and sustain credibility with Board of Directors, Council of Governors, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Effective interpersonal and influencing skills
- Able to present well-reasoned and structured argument orally and in writing
- Good presentation skills
- Ability to explain complex matters to non-experts
- PLANNING, ORGANISING AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- High degree of personal integrity
- Good political awareness
- Ability to work under pressure to demanding timescales and deadlines
- Confident in working with high profile organisations
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent team player with skills to develop collaborative relationships
- Ability to establish effective working relationships and to quickly gain the confidence of others
- Ability to work without direct supervision and to be diplomatic, tactful and confidential
- OTHER
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
- Able to work flexibly, e.g. in evenings to attend Board and Council of Governors meetings.
- Able to travel to locations within the county.
Desirable
- SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Ability to manage and monitor budgets
- PLANNING, ORGANISING AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- In depth knowledge of databases for audit and other purposes
- Ability to communicate with members and the general public in sometimes distressing or emotive circumstances.
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.
