Deputy Group Chief Governance Officer: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced, values-driven governance leader to join us as Deputy Group Chief Governance Officer. This is a pivotal senior role supporting the development and delivery of a robust governance framework across two statutory NHS organisations, ensuring strong decision-making, accountability and assurance at both organisational and Group level.

Working closely with the Group Chief Governance Officer, you will provide strategic leadership across the full governance portfolio, including Board Governance, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Freedom to Speak Up, Information Governance, Data Protection and assurance functions. You will help establish and embed the structures, processes and behaviours that support effective decision-making, accountability and continuous improvement across the Group — ensuring statutory responsibilities and regulatory obligations remain strong.

This is a role for a collaborative, credible and highly skilled governance professional who can influence at the most senior levels. You will work closely with the Group Chair, Chief Executive, Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors, regulators and system partners to build a culture of transparency, learning and stewardship. If you are motivated by improving governance maturity, strengthening organisational culture and enabling leaders to make better decisions for patients and communities, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Interviews will be held at the end of August.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Group Chief Governance Officer in developing and implementing an integrated governance strategy for the Group with an effectiveand integrated Governance service and function
• Provide strategic leadership and expert advice to Boards, Committees and Executive Teams on governance, assurance and regulatory matters
• Lead the provision of governance support to the Group Board and Committees
• Ensure that governance frameworks, constitutions, standing orders, schemes of delegation and governance policies remain compliant, effectiveand aligned to Group objectives
• Provide senior leadership for the Group’s risk management framework and approach
• Oversee the development and maintenance of Board Assurance Frameworks and Corporate Risk Registers across the Group

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Chartered Governance Institute Qualifying Programme qualification and/or Masters level qualification
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualification in governance, company secretarial practice, legal, risk management, or information governance

Knowledge / Experience

Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience within governance, corporate affairs, risk, assurance or a related function within the NHS
• Demonstrable experience of advising Boards, Committees, Chairs and Executive Directors on governance, risk and regulatory matters
• Experience of developing, implementing and improving governance and assurance frameworks
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries and building effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders

Skills

Essential

• Ability to provide credible strategic advice and constructive challenge to Boards and Executive teams
• Ability to interpret and communicate highly complex governance, legal, regulatory and organisational issues

Closing Date: 17 August 2026