Job summary
Head of Corporate Governance (6-month Fixed Term) - Band 8b
We are seeking an experienced governance professional to support our Group Director of Corporate Governance during a period of exciting organisational development. This is a key senior role providing high-quality Board Secretariat leadership and specialist advice to the Chair, Chief Executive, Non-Executive Directors and Committee Chairs.
We are looking for someone with significant senior-level experience in corporate governance, ideally in the NHS or wider public sector, and a strong understanding of governance frameworks, legislation and best practice. Excellent communication, analytical skills and the ability to influence at senior levels are essential.
If you are an accomplished Board Secretary or governance leader ready to make a meaningful impact at a pivotal time, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
You will lead and coordinate Board and Committee business, including agenda planning, high-quality paper preparation, minuting and management of the annual business cycle. You will also help to embed our new Group governance arrangements, ensuring clarity, consistency and excellent corporate governance practice across the organisation. The role includes oversight of key statutory registers and the annual reporting process.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Details
Date posted: 10 February 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: 8b
Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year pa pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 387-TS7809-CB
Job location: Trust Headquarters, UHBW, Bristol, BS1 3NU
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training (Essential)
* Masters level qualification or equivalent
* Working knowledge of corporate governance and legislation and best practice.
Desirable
* Full or part-qualified Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
* Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to Foundation Trust status
Knowledge and Experience (Essential)
* Substantial experience of working at a senior level in a complex public sector organisation
* Experience of working in a senior governance role
* Extensive experience of managing Board level Committees
* Demonstrable track record of dealing effectively with Corporate Governance and principles of Business conduct in a large organisation
* Experience of supervision and management of staff and budget management
* Experience of dealing with corporate governance and business conduct principles in large organisations
* Developing and implementing policies
* Understanding of the dynamics and complexities of the NHS environment
* Understanding of the roles and relationships between the Chairman, Chief Executive, Executive, Non-executive Directors and Governors
* Detailed knowledge of corporate governance and legislation best practice
* Involvement in, and leading organisational change
* Managing and influencing corporate agendas
Desirable
* Working with external assessment agencies and bodies
* Knowledge of Foundation Trust governance frameworks
* Experience of working in regulatory industry /organisation at senior level
Skills and Abilities (Essential)
* Excellent organisational and planning skills with a meticulous attention to detail
* Well-developed inter personal, communication and facilitation skills with the ability to gain and sustain credibility with members of the Board. Ability to explain complex matters to non experts / lay persons
* Ability to think analytically, synthesise information and write complex reportsExcellent minute taking skills
* Ability to manage priorities in order to meet specific deadlines / Ability to work under pressure to demanding timescales
* IT literate (intermediate level) in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
* Ability to work in isolation, but also good team building and people management skills
* Understands the need to deliver short term priorities and achieve long-term goals (sense of balance)
* High degree of self-awareness and exceptionally high levels of personal integrity and loyalty
* Intellectually flexibility that enables the reasoned assessment of a situation and the ability to draw pragmatic conclusions
* Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment
* Able to work on occasions in evenings to attend Board/Governors meetings and events
* High level of integrity, openness, honesty and reliability
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
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Trust Headquarters, UHBW
Bristol
BS1 3NU
Employer's website: https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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