We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to join our senior management team as Associate Director of Quality Governance, Safety and Clinical Effectiveness. This is a pivotal role, responsible for driving excellence in corporate and clinical governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance across the Trust. You will work closely with the Executive Directors, Board Committees, and operational leaders to ensure robust governance frameworks are embedded throughout the organisation. Your leadership will be critical in supporting a culture of transparency, learning, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
* Lead the development and implementation of the Trust's governance strategy.
* Oversee risk management, incident reporting, and Trust wide assurance systems.
* Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements (e.g. CQC, NHS England).
* Provide expert advice to the Board and Executive Team on governance matters.
* Lead on preparation for inspections, audits, and external reviews.
* Manage a multidisciplinary governance team, fostering a high‑performance culture.
* Support the Medical Director and Chief Nurse to ensure that systems and processes are in place to enhance the quality of clinical services and to deliver robust Governance structures.
* Work closely with the Medical Director and other Board members to provide strategy, direction and corporate policy making to ensure the delivery of the Trust's Quality and Governance objectives and to discharge statutory duties.
* Lead trust‑wide strategic projects that support the delivery of the triple aim objectives (better care, better outcomes, delivered sustainably) and provide strategic and tactical support to design programmes of transformation.
* Provide line‑management responsibility for the clinical governance teams.
* Oversee the development, operation and monitoring of effective systems and processes to provide the Executive Team and Board of Directors with appropriate assurance on the quality and standards of services.
* Ensure that processes are established to provide robust and effective governance and organisational focus on harm‑free care, patient safety and clinical effectiveness.
* Lead on the development, implementation and review of systems and processes to monitor compliance with national, regional and local Clinical Effectiveness standards, Clinical Quality standards in line with professional Nursing/Medic/AHP frameworks, Risk Management standards, Inquest and clinical negligence processes and Health and Safety statutory responsibilities.
* Demonstrate the Trust's values and be a highly visible and credible clinical leader, motivating and empowering divisions and directorates to maintain high standards of clinical quality and governance from floor to Board.
* Be a core member of the Trust Quality Committee (and wider sub‑committees of the Board where appropriate), Senior Nursing /Midwifery Leaders Forum, Clinical/Joint Clinical Leaders Forum.
* Act as governance link into the Professional regulatory processes internally, participating in the Professional Standards Group and the Employee Relations Group in support of maintenance of high professional standards and open fair process management.
* Be responsible for keeping the Chief Nurse, Medical Director and Board appraised of the functional state and effectiveness of the structures and processes of Clinical Governance throughout the Trust.
* Be responsible for developing, maintaining and monitoring an effective corporate risk register and Board Assurance Framework.
* Ensure that change projects initiated by the Quality Committee are implemented efficiently and effectively and facilitate change projects initiated in divisions in partnership with Divisional Governance Leads.
* Actively maintain external networks to ensure the Trust is prepared and/or compliant with any new or emerging national, regional or local quality and governance standards.
* In collaboration with the team managers, ensure best practice with regards to the management of services and effective liaison with all key stakeholders, including HM Coroner, the NHS Resolution, Care Quality Commission and Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman.
* Support the development of a Quality structure to support the Integrated Care System/Board Governance agenda working closely with the Clinical Commissioning Group and the governance lead for the Integrated Care Board/Provider Collaborative Board.
Qualifications
* Proven senior leadership experience in governance within a complex healthcare setting.
* In‑depth knowledge of NHS regulatory frameworks and quality standards.
* Strong strategic thinking, influencing and communication skills.
* Ability to lead change, manage complexity and build effective partnerships.
* Relevant professional qualification (e.g. governance, risk, law, healthcare management); Management qualification.
* Higher degree or equivalent qualification.
* IT and Microsoft Office applications familiarity.
Desirable Criteria
* Current registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) – Mental Health (RMN) / Learning Disabilities (RNLD) and/or Health Care Professionals Council.
* Relevant experience in senior governance position, usually around 5 years.
* Expert knowledge of the CQC Mental Health standards/registration requirements and the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
* Excellent skills in presentation, change management and project management.
* Excellent understanding of Clinical Governance and assurance as key underpinning principles of clinical care delivery.
* Knowledge of CQC standards.
* Track record of successful change management.
About East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first‑class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.
We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under‑representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.
Key Information for Applicants
* Salary advertised is for full‑time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro‑rata.
* For posts on Agenda for Change pay scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
* This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received.
* Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
* Shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post; only those who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification will be short‑listed.
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)
If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check onto candidates in the event they are successfully appointed. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1‑3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.
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