Secretariat Manager

As Secretariat Manager, you will play a key role within a high-performing Corporate Governance Secretariat team, supporting the effective operation of NHS England's Board, board committees, and executive groups.

This is a fixed-term opportunity, aligned to the ongoing organisational integration programme, offering the chance to contribute to governance at a critical point of change for NHS England.

You will contribute to the delivery and continuous improvement of robust corporate governance arrangements, ensuring that Board, committees and executive groups are well-supported to operate effectively and discharge their statutory duties. This includes maintaining high-quality governance processes, systems, and documentation aligned to the organisation's strategic priorities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced governance professional who can operate confidently at Board level and bring immediate impact within a complex, high-profile environment.

The post holder will support the Assistant Director of Secretariat in the effective running of the Secretariat function, including the administration and coordination of the board committees and executive groups, ensuring they are supported to operate effectively within the corporate governance framework.

The Secretariat Manager supports the delivery of a high-quality corporate governance service across a portfolio of NHS England board committees and executive groups. Working closely with the Assistant Director of Secretariat, the post holder ensures that these forums are effectively managed and supported to operate in line with the organisations governance framework.

• Provide a professional secretariat service to assigned board committees and executive groups, ensuring effective end-to-end meeting management
• Coordinate the development of agendas and papers, ensuring quality and timely submission in line with governance requirements
• Produce clear, accurate, and concise minutes, capturing key discussions, decisions, and actions
• Manage action logs and follow up on progress, ensuring accountability and timely reporting
• Support the quality assurance of papers and ensure alignment with corporate governance standards
• Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders, drafting correspondence and ensuring clear communication of decisions and outcomes
• Support the Assistant Director of Secretariat in maintaining effective governance arrangements, ensuring committees and groups are properly constituted and operate in line with the Governance Manual and regulatory requirements
• Maintain governance documentation, including statutory duties and core frameworks
• Contribute to transparency and accountability requirements, including publication and Annual Report inputs
• Support forward planning and work programmes for committees and groups, working closely with chairs and senior stakeholders
• Coordinate meeting logistics and ensure smooth delivery of governance processes
• Contribute to continuous improvement of Secretariat systems and ways of working
• Support induction, development activity, and effectiveness reviews for committees and their members
• Work flexibly across the Corporate Governance function, contributing to wider projects and priorities as required

Please note that the reason for the fixed term of this contract is due to the ongoing NHSE-DHSC Transformation Programme and planned disestablishment of NHS England.

• Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
• Membership of, or working towards membership of, a relevant professional body (e.g. "Chartered Governance Institute")

• Have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on the role.
• Sound understanding of corporate governance frameworks, regulatory requirements, and good governance practice

• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality agendas, reports, and formal minutes for senior audiences
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain high levels of accuracy

• Demonstrable experience of providing secretariat support to Boards, Board Committees, or equivalent senior forums, including agenda management, paper coordination, and minute-taking
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders in a complex, high-profile or politically sensitive environment

NHS England

Wellington House (London) or Wellington Place (Leeds)

£57,528 to £64,750 a year (exclusive of London weighting)

Fixed term

7 months

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

990-COO-EC3227-E

Wellington House (London) or Wellington Place (Leeds)