Band 8c - Associate Director of Corporate Affairs / Trust Secretary

Band 8c - Associate Director of Corporate Affairs / Trust Secretary

Main area Corporate Grade Band 8c Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 360-E-10746-A

Department name West Herts - General Staffing Site Watford General Hospital Town Watford Salary £79,163 - £90,880 pa inc HCA Salary period Yearly Closing 22/02/:59

Job overview

We are seeking an outstanding Associate Director of Corporate Affairs who will also fulfil the role of Trust Secretary. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs, you will lead the Trust's corporate governance, statutory compliance, and Board and committee management.

This pivotal role will help shape the governance environment at the highest level, within a Trust which was awarded NHS Trust of Year in the HSJ 2025 Awards.

You will ensure transparency, integrity, and excellence in everything we do and be a trusted advisor to the Chair, Chief Executive, and Board, providing expert guidance.

Visibility and building strong relationships are key to the success of this senior leadership position, therefore, the role is office-based (minimum four days per week) with flexibility for early or evening meetings and requires travel across Trust sites.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly skilled governance professional committed to excellence.

Main duties of the job

You will lead on the Trust's Corporate Governance Framework, ensuring it is robust, modern, and aligned to national best practice.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment as the Associate Director of Corporate Affairs/Trust Secretary leads the full Board and committee cycle, driving high quality papers, effective meetings, and strong assurance flows.

You'll oversee key statutory responsibilities, from the Annual Report and Accounts, to compliance with NHS England, CQC and regulatory standards, while shaping Board development, NED recruitment, and governance transformation.

You will play a pivotal role in interpreting emerging NHS policy, ensuring the Trust is ahead of the curve and equipped for future system models.

Working for our organisation

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award winning virtual hospital and re imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for an exceptional individual who brings:

• Significant experience as a senior governance leader in a large, complex public or regulated organisation.
• Advanced knowledge of corporate governance, statutory compliance and NHS regulatory requirements.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with Executives, NEDs and senior clinical leaders.
• High levels of integrity, judgement, and political awareness.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop and motivate governance teams.

This is a high profile role that requires confidence, resilience, and the ability to manage complex information, demanding deadlines, and sensitive matters with skill and diplomacy.

If you believe you have the expertise, experience, and personal qualities to lead our corporate governance function and help to support our Board, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Person specification Education

• Master's degree or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD.
• Expert knowledge of corporate governance and statutory requirements.
• Chartered Governance Institute (CGI/ICSA) membership, or equivalent legal/accounting qualification.
• Formal training in risk management or Board governance

Knowledge

• Expert understanding of corporate governance, risk, assurance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Highly developed analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to synthesise complex information into clear recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to operate with political awareness and discretion.
• Knowledge of CQC well led requirements.

Experience

• Significant experience as Company/Trust Secretary or senior governance leader in a large, complex or regulated organisation.
• Extensive experience managing Board and committee processes.
• Proven track record of developing governance frameworks.
• Experience working with auditors, regulators, and external assurance bodies.
• Experience managing a team.
• NHS governance experience.
• Experience of delivering digital transformation of Board systems
• Experience of preparing organisations for regulatory inspections.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.

As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Watford General Hospital
Vicarage Road
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD18 0HB
Telephone , or