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Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Head of Board Governance

The closing date is 05 February 2026

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Job summary

Are you passionate about good governance, confident working with senior leaders, and ready to play a pivotal role at the heart of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust?

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head of Board Governance to join our team. This is an important role, supporting the effective operation of our Trust Board and Committees, and ensuring we meet our statutory and regulatory responsibilities with integrity and transparency.

You'll work closely with the Chief of Staff and senior leaders across the organisation, providing expert advice on governance and compliance. You'll also manage the Trust's 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

Work with the Chief of Staff, Chair and Trust Board on all issues relating to corporate governance, ensuring the Trust's Corporate Affairs are undertaken to the highest standards of probity and according to statutory and legislative requirements

Accountable to the Chief of Staff, to work with the Executive team, contributing to the delivery of corporate and statutory objectives and maintenance of the highest standards of prudence, propriety and regularity

With support from the Risk and Governance Officer, service the Trust Board, Board Committees and Trust Management Executive Groups

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

  1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
  2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
  3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
  4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
  5. Making equalities mainstream

Details

Date posted

06 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum plus HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

197-R-RF7732

Job locations

Lewisham Hospital

HIgh Street Lewisham

London

SE13 6LH


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of the Head of Board Governance will be to:

With the Chief of Staff, establish and refine procedures for the sound, integrated governance of the Trust and advise the Trust Board on developments in governance and other issues.

Ensure that meetings of the Board, the Board of Directors and their Committees, run efficiently and effectively, that they are properly recorded and that Directors receive appropriate support.

Provide administrative support relating to Board and Committee meetings and matters to the Chair and Board of Directors of the Trust. Ensuring common standards are applied across all committees supporting the governance arrangements.

Line manage the Risk and Governance Officer, and working with this post-holder, provide administrative support to the Trust Management Executive Group by producing and planning agendas and minuting the meetings.

Provide support as required to CEO Office Manager and the wider Executive Personal Assistant team.

Provide administrative support to the Executive meetings, to ensure decisions and actions are captured accurately and disseminated appropriately.

Maintain the register of Declarations of Interest, Gifts and Hospitality and annual Fit and Proper Persons checks.

Ensure the accurate storage and maintenance of official Board Committee business records in safe, secure and retrievable systems.

Provide a high quality, customer focused service ensuring that the Trust maintains high standards in relation to good practice and departmental quality standards.

Support the appointment and induction of new Executive, and Non-Executive, Board Members.

Ensure that there are Terms of Reference for Board, its Committees, the Executive Team, Management Executive Team and that they are reviewed at appropriate intervals, in accordance with the Trusts Corporate Governance Manual.

In the absence of the Director of Governance, provide information and advice to the Non- Executive and Executive Directors on Board business as appropriate, often of a complex and confidential nature.

Accountable to produce a calendar of all Board and Committees, ensuring the meetings are scheduled to maximise timely flow of information to enable effective decision making.

Ensure the regular evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board, its Committees, Members Group and other groups, incorporating a range of methods including self-assessment and independent review.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role of the Head of Board Governance will be to:

With the Chief of Staff, establish and refine procedures for the sound, integrated governance of the Trust and advise the Trust Board on developments in governance and other issues.

Ensure that meetings of the Board, the Board of Directors and their Committees, run efficiently and effectively, that they are properly recorded and that Directors receive appropriate support.

Provide administrative support relating to Board and Committee meetings and matters to the Chair and Board of Directors of the Trust. Ensuring common standards are applied across all committees supporting the governance arrangements.

Line manage the Risk and Governance Officer, and working with this post-holder, provide administrative support to the Trust Management Executive Group by producing and planning agendas and minuting the meetings.

Provide support as required to CEO Office Manager and the wider Executive Personal Assistant team.

Provide administrative support to the Executive meetings, to ensure decisions and actions are captured accurately and disseminated appropriately.

Maintain the register of Declarations of Interest, Gifts and Hospitality and annual Fit and Proper Persons checks.

Ensure the accurate storage and maintenance of official Board Committee business records in safe, secure and retrievable systems.

Provide a high quality, customer focused service ensuring that the Trust maintains high standards in relation to good practice and departmental quality standards.

Support the appointment and induction of new Executive, and Non-Executive, Board Members.

Ensure that there are Terms of Reference for Board, its Committees, the Executive Team, Management Executive Team and that they are reviewed at appropriate intervals, in accordance with the Trusts Corporate Governance Manual.

In the absence of the Director of Governance, provide information and advice to the Non- Executive and Executive Directors on Board business as appropriate, often of a complex and confidential nature.

Accountable to produce a calendar of all Board and Committees, ensuring the meetings are scheduled to maximise timely flow of information to enable effective decision making.

Ensure the regular evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board, its Committees, Members Group and other groups, incorporating a range of methods including self-assessment and independent review.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oProfessionally qualified or degree equivalent with evidence of post- graduate or continuing professional development to masters or equivalent level

Desirable

  • Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)

Experience

Essential

  • oExperience as a senior manager some of which will have been at Board level oSubstantial track record of delivering in a senior leadership role oA minimum of 3 years' experience within a relevant field of work oExperience to have been gained working within a complex organisation oTrack record of dealing effectively with business issues in a large organisation oExperience of serving Boards and Committees oExperience of working in an organisation under public and political scrutiny. oAble to demonstrate effective leadership of teams and individuals oEffective people management skills oAble to communicate effectively with effectively and confidently with Board Members and senior managers when dealing with matters that are sensitive in nature

Desirable

  • Experience of working as a Company Secretary or in a senior governance role Broad in-depth experience of a management function such as finance or operational management.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • oDetailed working knowledge of corporate governance legislation and best practice. oUnderstands the environment in which the Trust operates, its role in serving the public and patients, and its governance structure. oStrong sense of commitment to openness, honesty and high standards in undertaking the leadership role. Practices the highest levels of discretion oDetailed Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to Trust Boards oAble to think and act strategically and develop practical and creative solutions when dealing with issues oMethodical with high level organisational and administrative skills oHighly developed communications skills - interpersonal, facilitation, presentation and negotiation skills oAble to present well-reasoned and structured argument in order to influence and persuade others over whom the post holder may have no formal authority oA sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools, including WORD, PowerPoint, and Excel

Desirable

  • High level of IT skills - able to input, extract, manipulate and present data

Personal Qualities and Skills

Essential

  • oHigh degree of personal integrity and probity oGood political awareness oPersonal and professional demeanour that generates trust and confidence in others. oAble to work flexibly when required
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oProfessionally qualified or degree equivalent with evidence of post- graduate or continuing professional development to masters or equivalent level

Desirable

  • Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)

Experience

Essential

  • oExperience as a senior manager some of which will have been at Board level oSubstantial track record of delivering in a senior leadership role oA minimum of 3 years' experience within a relevant field of work oExperience to have been gained working within a complex organisation oTrack record of dealing effectively with business issues in a large organisation oExperience of serving Boards and Committees oExperience of working in an organisation under public and political scrutiny. oAble to demonstrate effective leadership of teams and individuals oEffective people management skills oAble to communicate effectively with effectively and confidently with Board Members and senior managers when dealing with matters that are sensitive in nature

Desirable

  • Experience of working as a Company Secretary or in a senior governance role Broad in-depth experience of a management function such as finance or operational management.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • oDetailed working knowledge of corporate governance legislation and best practice. oUnderstands the environment in which the Trust operates, its role in serving the public and patients, and its governance structure. oStrong sense of commitment to openness, honesty and high standards in undertaking the leadership role. Practices the highest levels of discretion oDetailed Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to Trust Boards oAble to think and act strategically and develop practical and creative solutions when dealing with issues oMethodical with high level organisational and administrative skills oHighly developed communications skills - interpersonal, facilitation, presentation and negotiation skills oAble to present well-reasoned and structured argument in order to influence and persuade others over whom the post holder may have no formal authority oA sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools, including WORD, PowerPoint, and Excel

Desirable

  • High level of IT skills - able to input, extract, manipulate and present data

Personal Qualities and Skills

Essential

  • oHigh degree of personal integrity and probity oGood political awareness oPersonal and professional demeanour that generates trust and confidence in others. oAble to work flexibly when required

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.

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. 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.

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. 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

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Lewisham Hospital

HIgh Street Lewisham

London

SE13 6LH


Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Lewisham Hospital

HIgh Street Lewisham

London

SE13 6LH


Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief of Staff

Kate Anderson

kateanderson2@nhs.net

02083336255

Details

Date posted

06 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum plus HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

197-R-RF7732

Job locations

Lewisham Hospital

HIgh Street Lewisham

London

SE13 6LH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)