Governance Lead – Children and Young People Directorate: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

A secondment opportunity is available for a motivated experienced governance manager. The post holder will lead a small team to support the Children and Young People Directorate’s governance activities. This will require excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently. The role is pivotal in supporting the delivery of safe and effective care, and is a key role in ensuring that we develop our services in line with our service user’s experience.

Main duties of the job

Oversee the Directorate’s governance and assurance mechanisms.

Developing and presenting reports identifying risks and providing assurances as appropriate.

Providing an expert resource in healthcare governance.

Leading a small team including all line managerial duties.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• – Degree level education And/or equivalent relevant experience in a leadership position Significant experience of working within a governance related role/department
• – Evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge

Essential

• – Significant management experience in a senior role
• -In-depth knowledge and understanding of legislation in a range of governance, health and safety and regulatory matters
• -In-depth knowledge of integrated governance systems Demonstrates an ability to work in a way that seeks to minimise risks and maximise patient safety.
• -Demonstrable understanding of NHSI and CQC regulatory frameworks and building organisational frameworks to achieve this
• -Ability to build organisational capabilities and must have excellent leadership and influencing skills
• -Excellent communication skills with the ability to be clear and persuasive in speech and writing.
• -Experience with governance management systems, preferably DATIX/DCIQ
• -Must be able to produce high-quality coherent reports and present at Trust wide level

Desirable

• – Knowledge of mental health services

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a governance role within Health and Social Care
• Experience of successfully working with external regulators including NHSI, CQC and other stakeholders
• Experience of conducting risk assessments, inspections and audits
• Experience of using complex information and of developing reports
• Evidence of highly developed negotiation and influencing skills in complex and highly contentious situations
• Ability to develop, produce and present a wide range of complex information reports and analysis on a regular and ad hoc basis. Reports include spreadsheet-based reports, which need to be presented in a high quality and user-friendly format.

Desirable

• Experience of developing and delivering training and development packages to staff and stakeholders at all levels
• Experience of working successfully with clinical and managerial leads
• Experience of working within a Mental Health Trust

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to produce concise and clear reports
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to make judgements and decisions in a diverse range of situations
• Evidence of managing staff and dealing with difficult situations in a non-confrontational manner
• Self-motivated + Ability to work on own initiative and manage time effectively
• Comprehensive IT skills with experience of using Excel for analysing and producing data, collating Power-point presentations, Word for producing professional briefing documents etc
• Ability to absorb complex messages
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Pro-active and diplomatic approach to others
• Able to establish effective working relationships + Able to work positively with all staff to support improvements
• Pragmatic problem solving approach
• Able to understand the needs and expectations of patients

Desirable

• Project management skills

Closing Date: 6 September 2026