Joint Non-Executive Director (Chair of Audit Committee)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Role

As well as the undertaking the general duties of a Non-Executive Director, the postholder will Chair the Audit Committee.

The purpose of the Committee is to independently and objectively review the integrity of the Trusts financial statements. Oversee compliance with corporate governance standards and assurance processes across clinical and non-clinical activities and assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of risk management and the effectiveness of internal control Trust-wide

In additional you will oversee external and internal audit functions and the local counter fraud service, receiving assurance of their independence.

The Person

You will have the qualifications, expertise or experience to enable you to express credible opinions on finance and audit matters and possess a strong background in Audit and Governance, an appreciation of public or private sector Audit and Governance arrangements, and ideally prior experience of a non-executive in the NHS.

Your focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion will be critical, and you will share our ambition and hold the interests of our patients and the wellbeing of our staff and communities at the heart of your leadership.

We are keen to attract candidates who can bring diverse perspectives, and we welcome expressions of interest from the widest possible range of backgrounds, particularly those who are under-represented at board level in the NHS.

For further information, please contact our recruitment advisor Jonathan Phillips on 07817988490. Applications are to be made via CV and covering letter to Jonathan at jp@seymourjohn.com using the email subject T&S NED application

Closing date: Midnight 8th December 2025

Interview date: 7th January 2026

Person Specification

Eligibility and Commitment

Essential

• Ability to commit average of 4-5 days per month to Trust's business; and flexibility to commit more if required for defined periods
• You are, or are eligible and willing to become, a Member of the Trusts
• Ensure you meet the criteria for eligibility for appointment as a member of the Board of Directors including the criteria for Fit & Proper Person in accordance with NHS Improvement and CQC principles.

Background and Experience

Essential

• Have experience of operating at a senior level or board level in a public or private sector organisation
• Hold the CCAB qualification and have recent and relevant expertise in finance, evidenced through membership of a professional body
• Have a strong background in audit and governance.
• Have an awareness of the current challenges and opportunities in the National Health Service
• Are able to engage in strategic thinking and development for organisations

Desirable

• Have previous experience as a Non-Executive Director within the public or private sector
• Have an awareness of developments in the local health economies of Stockport and Tameside & Glossop
• Able to demonstrate a strong connection to their local community or have lived experience, either as carers or service users.

Knowledge

Essential

• Have an awareness of the differing roles of a Non-Executive Director and executive management
• Have strong emotional intelligence
• Have an understanding of accountability for actions, including collective accountability for Board decisions
• Have an awareness of the principles of effective corporate governance and effective Boards

Desirable

• Have experience of working as part of a diverse Board or equivalent to reach consensus
• Have experience of engagement with a diverse and large group of stakeholders and interested parties, including the general public; and feeding that intelligence back into the work of the organisation

Abilities

Essential

• Capable of chairing a committee, have an understanding of the needs of our local patient community, the roles and responsibilities of the Council of Governors, statutory and regulatory requirements, risk management and board assurance processes
• You are able to participate in a unitary Board, balancing challenge and collective responsibility, to deliver statutory responsibilities
• You are able to both support and challenge the Chief Executive and the Executive Team
• You are able to successfully engage with a range of statutory regulators and local stakeholders
• You able to exercise judgements independently of Trust management, discuss them robustly with colleagues, and reach a final view
• You are able to engage with and constructively challenge complex proposals and arguments
• Good interpersonal skills. Able to work as a team to meet common goals and willingness to utilise skills and experience for the good of the organisation
• Able to assess strategies and plans of action to achieve objectives

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

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Stepping Hill Hospital

Poplar Grove

Stockport

SK2 7JE

Employer's website

http://www.stockport.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)