Job summary
Job overview
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) is seeking to appoint an experienced and highly credible Director of Corporate Governance to play a pivotal role at the heart of the organisation.
This is a senior leadership and technical governance role, responsible for ensuring that the Trust's corporate governance arrangements are robust, proportionate and effective, enabling the Board to lead with confidence and clarity. Acting as Board Secretary, the postholder will provide authoritative advice to the Chair, Chief Executive, Executive and Non-Executive Directors and Council of Governors on all aspects of corporate governance, assurance and regulatory compliance.
At WWL, we value governance that is purposeful, enabling and human -- supporting good decision-making rather than bureaucracy for its own sake. We are therefore looking for a governance professional with deep expertise, sound judgement and the interpersonal skills to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced NHS environment.
Closing date for applications: midnight Monday 12th January 2026.
Final interviews W/C 26th January 2026.
Main duties of the job
The Director of Corporate Governance will:
- Act as the Trust's chief adviser on corporate governance, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and best-practice requirements
- Serve as Board Secretary, ensuring the Board and its Committees are properly constituted, supported and effective
- Lead the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the Trust's corporate governance framework, including Standing Orders, Scheme of Delegation and governance policies
- Oversee effective Board and Committee management, ensuring high-quality agendas, papers, minutes and forward plans
- Lead the Trust's Board Assurance Framework, corporate risk management arrangements and governance links to internal audit
- Lead on the production of the Annual Report and Governance Statement, working closely with Executive colleagues
- Ensure effective governance and support arrangements for the Council of Governors, including induction and development
- Act as the Trust's accountable officer for the Freedom to Speak Up agenda, providing assurance on organisational response to concerns and overseeing the GM ICB FTSU contract
- Lead and develop the executive support and corporate governance teams
- Represent the Trust in discussions with regulators, system partners and external stakeholders
- Participate as a member of the Executive On-Call rota
As a key member of the Trust's senior leadership community, the postholder will role-model the Trust's values and contribute to delivery of Strategy 2030.
About us
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Essential criteria include:
- Degree-level education or equivalent senior professional experience, with evidence of continuous professional development
- Substantial senior-level experience in corporate governance within the NHS
- Significant experience of risk management, Board assurance and regulatory governance
- Extensive experience of Board and Committee management, including Company Secretary responsibilities
- Strong analytical, strategic, influencing and relationship-building skills
- In-depth knowledge of NHS governance frameworks, legislation and healthcare regulation
Desirable criteria include:
- Post-graduate qualification in Corporate Governance and/or Risk Management, or a legal qualification
- Membership of relevant professional bodies
- Experience of leading or supporting the Freedom to Speak Up agenda
Full details are available in the attached job description and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Essential criteria include:
- Degree-level education or equivalent senior professional experience, with evidence of continuous professional development
- Substantial senior-level experience in corporate governance within the NHS
- Significant experience of risk management, Board assurance and regulatory governance
- Extensive experience of Board and Committee management, including Company Secretary responsibilities
- Strong analytical, strategic, influencing and relationship-building skills
- In-depth knowledge of NHS governance frameworks, legislation and healthcare regulation
Desirable criteria include:
- Post-graduate qualification in Corporate Governance and/or Risk Management, or a legal qualification
- Membership of relevant professional bodies
- Experience of leading or supporting the Freedom to Speak Up agenda
Full details are available in the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- Degree level education, or equivalent experience
- Post-Graduate Qualification in Corporate Governance and/ or Risk Management or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Legal Qualification
- Membership of relevant bodies
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of working effectively as in a senior Corporate Governance role
- Substantial experience of risk management and governance within a healthcare enterprise, significant experience gained across the NHS
- Substantial Experience of Board Management / Company Secretary role and responsibilities.
Desirable
- Experience of leading the Freedom to Speak Up agenda
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed skills to quickly assess accuracy and relevance of competing sources of information, both written and verbal (i.e. during interviews / hearings, or multi-source online data).
- Demonstrates commitment and an ability to understand diverse interest groups and power bases within organisations and the wider community and the dynamic between them.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of NHS legislation and practice that relates to duties. e.g. Code of Governance and Provider License requirements
- High level understanding of the principles and good practice in communications and engagement with patients, carers, families, stakeholders and colleagues
- Expert knowledge of healthcare risk and enterprise-wide risk management techniques.
Desirable
- Full understanding of the Audit Committee Handbook
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- Degree level education, or equivalent experience
- Post-Graduate Qualification in Corporate Governance and/ or Risk Management or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Legal Qualification
- Membership of relevant bodies
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of working effectively as in a senior Corporate Governance role
- Substantial experience of risk management and governance within a healthcare enterprise, significant experience gained across the NHS
- Substantial Experience of Board Management / Company Secretary role and responsibilities.
Desirable
- Experience of leading the Freedom to Speak Up agenda
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed skills to quickly assess accuracy and relevance of competing sources of information, both written and verbal (i.e. during interviews / hearings, or multi-source online data).
- Demonstrates commitment and an ability to understand diverse interest groups and power bases within organisations and the wider community and the dynamic between them.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of NHS legislation and practice that relates to duties. e.g. Code of Governance and Provider License requirements
- High level understanding of the principles and good practice in communications and engagement with patients, carers, families, stakeholders and colleagues
- Expert knowledge of healthcare risk and enterprise-wide risk management techniques.
Desirable
- Full understanding of the Audit Committee Handbook
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).
