Assist Director for Governance Risk and Assurance
To provide strategic and independent leadership across governance, organisational risk, compliance, quality, data, impact and major change programmes, and working closely with our CEO, Trustees, Senior Management Team, Clinical Lead and Clinical Governance Group.
Reporting directly to the CEO and accountable to the Board, the postholder ensures that the organisation operates with strong organisational grip, robust assurance mechanisms and effective risk oversight during a period of continued growth, increasing regulatory expectations and service transformation.
Main duties of the job
Duties will involve
* Strengthening Board and Executive assurance across governance, risk and organisational performance
* Embedding a proactive, learning-focused approach to risk, safeguarding and compliance
* Ensuring data, impact and outcomes insight meaningfully informs strategic decision‑making
* Providing structured oversight of major organisational programmes and transformation activity
* Safeguarding the organisation’s reputation, sustainability and values as it grows in scale and complexity
Plase refer to the job description for full details
About us
Northpoint is an established regional provider of children’s, young people’s and adults’ mental health services. Our vision is a world that supports good mental health for all. Our purpose is to deliver effective mental health support and to improve the mental health system in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. Our values are to be professional, responsive, collaborative and transparent.
As Northpoint continues to grow in scale, ambition and influence, strong governance, effective risk management and robust assurance are increasingly central to how we maintain quality, accountability and trust. These functions play a critical role in supporting safe, compliant and well‑governed services, while enabling the organisation to manage risk confidently as it evolves and expands.
Job responsibilities
Assistant Director of Governance, Risk and Assurance
Do you want to be part of the change we’re bringing to mental health support?
Are you a senior leader with strong judgement, credibility and a passion for good governance? This is a rare opportunity to join Northpoint at a pivotal point in our growth, providing strategic leadership across governance, risk and assurance and working closely with our CEO, Trustees, Senior Management Team, Clinical Lead and Clinical Governance Group.
Why us
Northpoint is an established regional provider of mental health services for children, young people and adults across Yorkshire and surrounding areas. Our vision is a world that supports good mental health for all, and our values are professionalism, responsiveness, collaboration and transparency.
You’ll be joining Northpoint at a pivotal time, as we prepare to launch a new strategy that will guide our growth, strengthen our impact and shape the future of our services.[RK1]
As we continue to grow in scale, influence and complexity, strong governance, clear assurance and confident risk management are central to how we maintain quality, trust and accountability.
At Northpoint, you’ll be part of a values‑led organisation that takes its responsibilities seriously and supports senior leaders to work with integrity, clarity and impact.
We offer:
* 35 hours per week (parttime considered, 28 hours+)
* £64,430 – £74,090 (based on 35 hours)
* 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays, pro rata)
* Up to three discretionary Christmas leave days
* Flexible working where possible
* Regular supervision and CPD opportunities
* A warm, values‑driven environment built on trust, inclusion and collaboration
What you will be doing as our Assistant Director of Governance, Risk & Assurance
You will provide strategic, independent leadership across governance, organisational risk and assurance, helping the Board, Senior Management Team and Clinical Lead maintain strong oversight as the organisation evolves.
This includes:
* Leading organisational and clinical governance frameworks and Board assurance
* Owning the organisation’s approach to risk management, compliance and assurance
* Leading senior relationships with Trustees, regulators, commissioners and auditors
* Providing clear, credible advice and constructive challenge at Executive and Board level
* Overseeing data, impact and performance insight to support strategic decision‑making
* Safeguarding Northpoint’s reputation, values and long‑term sustainability
This is a strategic leadership role, focused on organisational grip, judgement and influence rather than day‑to‑day operational delivery.
What are we looking for in our ideal candidate?
You will be a credible, values‑led leader who can operate confidently at senior and Board level, bringing strong judgement, emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex or contested environments.
Experience within mental health, health, social care or the VCSE sector is desirable but not essential.
Key dates
* Interviews: 29th April 2026
Interested?
Please click Apply to be considered for our Assistant Director of Governance, Risk and Assurance role. We would love to hear from you.
We’re excited about this role and expect a high level of interest. We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in, so we encourage early applications. If we receive a high level of interest, we may close the advert early.
Northpoint is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Flexible working and job‑share opportunities are available where possible.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to a standard DBS check.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree‑level qualification or equivalent professional experience
* Significant senior leadership experience within a regulated, complex or multi‑stakeholder environment (e.g. third sector, health, social care, public sector)
Experience
* Substantial senior leadership experience in governance, risk, quality, assurance or organisational development.
* Experience of providing assurance, performance reporting and strategic advice to Boards or senior leadership teams.
* Experience of developing and embedding organisational risk management frameworks and risk registers.
* Experience of leading or overseeing regulatory compliance and quality assurance systems.
* Experience of leading organisational change, transformation or complex programmes.
* Experience of line managing and developing senior or specialist staff.
* Experience within mental health services, health and social care, or VCSE/third sector organisations.
* Experience of regulatory inspections or formal external scrutiny processes.
Knowledge and Understanding
* Strong understanding of organisational and clinical governance principles.
* Sound knowledge of risk management frameworks and assurance methodologies.
* Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and continuous improvement approaches.
* Understanding of data governance, information security and data protection legislation (including the Data Protection Act 2018).
* Knowledge of outcomes measurement and impact reporting within a service‑based or third sector environment.
* n/a
Skills and Competencies
* Ability to operate credibly at senior leadership level, providing independent oversight, sound judgement and constructive challenge while balancing strategic priorities with operational realities.
* Strong capability to design, implement and oversee effective governance, risk management and assurance frameworks, ensuring clear escalation, robust controls and Board confidence.
* Highly developed analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex risk, quality and performance data, translating this into clear, actionable insight for executive and Board‑level decision‑making.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high‑quality Board reports, present complex information clearly, and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
* Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate specialist teams, fostering accountability, high performance and cross‑organisational collaboration while maintaining independence and objectivity.
* n/a
Qualities and Values
* Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and equity.
* Demonstrates values consistent with those of Northpoint.
* High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability.
* Calm, credible and confident under pressure.
* n/a
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.
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