Job Description

Job overview



Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) is seeking to appoint an experienced and highly credible Director of Corporate Governance to play a pivotal role at the heart of the organisation.



This is a senior leadership and technical governance role, responsible for ensuring that the Trust's corporate governance arrangements are robust, proportionate and effective, enabling the Board to lead with confidence and clarity. Acting as Board Secretary, the postholder will provide authoritative advice to the Chair, Chief Executive, Executive and Non-Executive Directors and Council of Governors on all aspects of corporate governance, assurance and regulatory compliance.



At WWL, we value governance that is purposeful, enabling and human -- supporting good decision-making rather than bureaucracy for its own sake. We are therefore looking for a governance professional with deep expertise, sound judgement and the interpersonal skills to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced NHS environment.



Closing date for applications: midnight Monday 12 th January 2026. Final interviews W/C 26 th January 2026.

The Director of Corporate Governance will:

Act as the Trust's chief adviser on corporate governance, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and best-practice requirements

Serve as Board Secretary, ensuring the Board and its Committees are properly constituted, supported and effective

Lead the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the Trust's corporate governance framework, including Standing Orders, Scheme of Delegation and governance policies

Oversee effective Board and Committee management, ensuring high-quality agendas, papers, minutes and forward plans

Lead the Trust's Board Assurance Framework, corporate risk management arrangements and governance links to internal audit

Lead on the production of the Annual Report and Governance Statement, working closely with Executive colleagues

Ensure effective governance and support arrangements for the Council of Governors, including induction and development

Act as the Trust's accountable officer for the Freedom to Speak Up agenda, providing assurance on organisational response to concerns and overseeing the GM ICB FTSU contract

Lead and develop the executive support and corporate governance teams

Represent the Trust in discussions with regulators, system partners and external stakeholders

Participate as a member of the Executive On-Call rota



As a key member of the Trust's senior leadership community, the postholder will role-model the Trust's values and contribute to delivery of Strategy 2030.



Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.



WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.



At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Essential criteria include:

Degree-level education or equivalent senior professional experience, with evidence of continuous professional development

Substantial senior-level experience in corporate governance within the NHS

Significant experience of risk management, Board assurance and regulatory governance

Extensive experience of Board and Committee management, including Company Secretary responsibilities

Strong analytical, strategic, influencing and relationship-building skills

In-depth knowledge of NHS governance frameworks, legislation and healthcare regulation

Desirable criteria include:

Post-graduate qualification in Corporate Governance and/or Risk Management, or a legal qualification

Membership of relevant professional bodies

Experience of leading or supporting the Freedom to Speak Up agenda



Full details are available in the attached job description and person specification.