Job vacancy: Corporate Governance Officer, Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust, Worthing

Job summary

Main area: Administration
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 354-CO-21646

Employer: Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Portland House
Town: Worthing
Salary: £37,338 - £44,962 Per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 10/06/2025 23:59

Corporate Governance Officer

NHS AfC: Band 6

Come and join us

We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.

So what can we offer you in return?

We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.

You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.

As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.

If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Council of Governors

Organise and manage the administration of the Council of Governors, associated committees, and events, including meeting logistics, agenda preparation, and follow-up on actions.
Oversee the Annual Members Meeting (AMM) in compliance with legal and constitutional requirements.
Arrange training, support Governor development programs, and manage election processes, including liaising with procurement for election providers.
Maintain governance documentation, such as terms of office, Governor Fit and Proper Person records, handbooks, and member databases.
Support the execution of the Membership Strategy in collaboration with the Trust’s engagement and communication teams.
Serve as the communication channel between the Trust, the Council, and its members.
Draft and present reports for the Council of Governors and Board of Directors.
Manage Governors’ expenses and expenditure related to meetings and events.

Board and Committee Administration

Collaborate with executive sponsors and committee chairs for meeting preparation, agenda planning, and action follow-ups.
Draft key documents, including committee exception reports, annual reports, and effectiveness reviews, ensuring alignment with terms of reference and governance standards.
Record high-quality minutes, ensuring accurate documentation of decisions, actions, and resolutions.
Maintain attendance registers and an annual cycle of business to ensure proper workflow.
Conduct and support the evaluation of committee performance, including self-assessments.
Ensure all board and committee operations comply with the Trust’s constitution and governance requirements.
Monitor and track actions arising from committees and auditor reports.

Policy Management

Maintain the Trust Policy Index and ensure proper management, review, and publication of policies.
Align policies with NHS guidelines and organisational objectives through collaboration with departments.
Audit policy indices, address gaps, and archive outdated policies per retention policies.
Prepare and present policy reports to governance boards or committees.
Support external inspections and audits by ensuring up-to-date policy availability.
Provide guidance on policy management and ensure clarity and consistency in policy content.

General Corporate Governance Support

Safeguard and manage the Trust Seal, ensuring proper application and reporting.
Prepare and analyse reports for Council and Board Committees.
Maintain and update corporate governance information on the Trust’s website, including public meeting materials.
Support the induction and recruitment of Non-Executive Directors, including managing logistics for interviews.
Plan and deliver complex governance activities, ensuring problem-solving and robust assurance mapping.
Assist in statutory returns, audits, and staff surveys.
Handle other governance duties as directed by senior corporate governance leaders.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Relevant degree or management qualification or equivalent experience, underpinned by theoretical knowledge
Hold or be willing to work towards a graduate-level corporate governance qualification

Knowledge/Experience

Essential criteria

Specialist knowledge of corporate governance and its work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge or relevant practical experience
Recent experience of working in a governance role in complex organisation, preferably in a corporate governance role within the NHS.
Experience of working with and providing advice within a highly confidential environment, including experience of liaising and operating at Chair, NonExecutive and CEO Level
Ability to interpret national policy initiatives and identify the relevance to the trust and the governance agenda
Demonstrable minute-taking skills, including experience of Board-level minute-taking, and extensive experience of servicing and administering high-level meetings
Ability to understand complex legal, regulatory and statutory requirements
Experience of undertaking research and presenting the results
Experience and knowledge of regulatory matters, NHS compliance and corporate governance and extensive experience in their application in complex settings
The ability to work with senior management, clinical colleagues and other staff, to make sound judgements and respond positively to a rapidly changing environment

Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.

We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children’s social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people. It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.

Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.