Job Description

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist provider of mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental care to people living in South East England. We are also lead provider for three specialist mental health provider collaboratives.



We are seeking to appoint a confident, experienced, and innovative Director of Corporate Governance & Trust Secretary to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is a strategic, high-profile role reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and acting as the principal adviser, working directly with the Chief Executive and Chair as well as the Board of Directors, and Council of Governors on all matters related to corporate governance.



You will lead the corporate governance function, ensuring that the Trust's governance arrangements are effective, legally compliant, and aligned with NHS best practice. As Trust Secretary, you will manage the interface between executive leadership and formal governance structures and ensure the Board and its Committees operate with high standards of transparency and accountability.



This is an exciting time to join the Trust as we have recently launched our new 5-year Trust Strategy with a Board focused on rolling-out continuous quality improvement across the organisation. Our Board recognises the current challenges in the NHS, is well placed to respond, and is ambitious for the future as we seek to fulfil our vision of 'delivering great care and improving outcomes together'.



The Director of Corporate Governance & Trust Secretary is responsible for ensuring high standards of corporate governance, compliance, and risk management across Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT). This role provides expert advice to the Board of Directors and Council of Governors to maintain governance integrity, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight.



They will have responsibility for supporting the Chair, the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive to undertake their roles.



As Director of Corporate Governance & Trust Secretary at SPFT, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Trust is well-led, legally compliant, and operationally effective. Your leadership will strengthen governance, accountability, and transparency, directly supporting SPFT's vision to deliver great care and improve outcomes together.



Please see the attached for the full Main duties of the job.



Join Sussex Partnership and you'll be part of an NHS trust that allows you to thrive and, in turn, thrives because of you. We believe in the vibrancy of our fantastic people. And how that leads to even better support for the people who use our services.

Closing Date for applications:

Sunday 15 th June

Interview Date:

Monday 23 rd June



Governance and Compliance



The Director of Corporate Governance is the lead for the Trust's corporate governance arrangements. In the execution of this responsibility, they will:



Provide independent expert advice and support to the Chair, the Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive and Board of Directors on all matters relating to statutory/legislative compliance and interpretation, reporting on any areas of non-compliance. This will involve giving and receiving information which is highly complex, sensitive and confidential and has major compliance implications for the Trust.

Monitor the Trust's governance arrangements, continually and proactively reviewing external developments to ensure compliance with corporate governance best practice.

Advise the Chair, the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive in ensuring compliance with external governance frameworks, in particular with NHS Code of Governance, NHS England, and Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Ensure the Board operates effectively under the Well-Led Framework and is prepared for external reviews.

Participate in partnership and other networking arrangements that require governance input.

Guide the Board of Directors in the responsible and effective conduct of its role, providing, where appropriate, a discreet, independent and challenging voice in relation to Board deliberations and decision-making.

Provide advice on a wide range of legal matters, including (but not restricted to) the Freedom of Information Act, the Human Rights Act, Health & Safety legislation, Information Governance legislation, Data Protection (GDPR), NHS regulatory guidance and legislation on Board liabilities.

Commission and provide briefings for external legal advice where necessary to ensure the Board acts on good authority.

With the Director of Communications, lead the preparation and submission of all statutory annual returns, including the annual report, annual accounts and annual governance statement, adhering to the prescribed timescales.



The Director of Corporate Governance will facilitate the effective working of the Board of Directors, the Trust Executive, the Council of Governors and related Committees and, in particular, will:



Plan and prepare agendas, reports, supporting papers and minutes for the Board, the Council, their Committees and Executive meetings, ensuring they comply with internal Trust policy and external corporate governance best practice.

Oversee and provide expert advice on the administrative arrangements that support the business of the Board, the Executive, and the Council of Governors, allowing them to function efficiently and effectively.

Ensure the Council of Governors can effectively represent staff, service users, and the wider community, supporting patient-focused governance.



Board and Council development



Lead on board development, training, and effectiveness reviews, ensuring compliance with the NHS Code of Governance.

Work with the Chair, the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive to ensure that arrangements are in place for a comprehensive induction of all Board members and Governors and provide advice and support regarding the discharge of their duties.

Work with the Chair, the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place for the regular evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board of Directors, including the appraisal of Non-Executive Directors.

In consultation with the Chair, the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive, ensure that a Board Succession Plan is in place.

Support the Chair and the Deputy Chief Executive with the recruitment process for Non-Executive Directors.

Support the Chair, the Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive to ensure that the capability and experience of the Board of Directors and the Executive Team are as required and in accordance with the Fit & Proper Persons Test



Please see the attached for the full Detailed job description and main responsibilities.