Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has an exciting opportunity to join us as our Head of Corporate Governance.
This role is based at the centre of our organisation. Supporting the Director of Governance, Risk and Improvement and the Company Secretary, you will ensure that the Trust has in place sound, integrated corporate governance policies, procedures, and structures.
You will be responsible for ensuring the Trust complies with its legal, constitutional, and regulatory requirements in order to support the delivery of outstanding, integrated care to the people who use our services.
The successful applicant will be a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual with extensive knowledge of NHS governance processes. You will have excellent verbal and written skills, with the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively at all levels within the organisation to ensure key deadlines are met, whilst also liaising with our external partners such as Internal and External Audit.
Interviews will take place: 16th December 2024
Main duties of the job
1. Support the Company Secretary in the effective operation of the Trust's governance structure, ensuring it is fit for purpose, reporting any deficiencies and making proposals for improvement.
2. Ensure that arrangements are in place for the Trust to maintain a well-defined and established corporate governance framework, including best practice Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions, and Schemes of Delegation; and that these are reviewed on an annual basis.
3. Be responsible for the preparation of the corporate calendar, circulation of agenda, minutes, and papers of the Board of Directors, Council of Governors, and Board Committees.
4. Act as an advisor on the Constitution and code of conduct, ensuring transparency and accountability in the conduct of the Trust's business.
5. Act as the point of contact with the external auditor to provide relevant evidence to them in order to provide an audit opinion and to ensure that a final draft of the annual report is available for approval by the Board and laying to Parliament in a timely manner.
6. Ensure the effective and efficient flow of information to and between the Trust Board of Directors, Governors, and Members.
7. Support the Company Secretary to consistently review all corporate governance arrangements to ensure that the Board is fully briefed in order to make informed decisions, and ensure that arrangements are in place for monitoring compliance with the code of governance and provider licence.
About us
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
* The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds.
* Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate, and outpatient facility.
* Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services, and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient, and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.
Job responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Person Specification
Knowledge and experience
* Experience and knowledge of corporate governance legislation and best practice and experience of their application in complex settings.
* Track record of initiating and implementing good administrative systems.
* Experience of co-ordinating and producing an NHS Annual Report.
* Significant involvement in managing Trust committees reporting to Board.
* Understanding of role and relationships between Governors, Chairman, Chief Executive, Executive, and Non-Executive Directors.
* Knowledge of and practical application of sound processes for managing standards of business conduct (anti-bribery, management of conflict of interest, hospitality, sponsorship etc).
* Knowledge of the annual reporting cycle and external requirements/guidance.
* Experience in an NHS Corporate Affairs / Governance Management role.
* Experience of working in an organisation under public and political scrutiny.
* Experience of engaging with Trust stakeholders including Council of Governors and Trust membership.
* Financial awareness and knowledge of risk assurance mechanisms.
Skills and Abilities
* Highly developed communication, interpersonal skills.
* Ability to analyse complex facts and develop a range of options.
* Proven ability to understand and give advice on relevant legislation, regulations, and standing orders.
* Ability to manage and monitor budgets.
Qualifications
* Educated to degree level, and equivalent relevant experience or specialist knowledge to masters level or equivalent.
* Knowledge and understanding and practical application of regulatory compliance and corporate governance in the NHS.
* Evidence of personal/professional development.
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.
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Director of Governance, Risk and Improvement
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