Trac proudly powers the recruitment for

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

About

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) provides the hospital services to South Warwickshire from four hospitals:

Warwick Hospital
Leamington Spa Hospital
Stratford Hospital
Ellen Badger Hospital

We also deliver out-of-hospital community services to the whole of Warwickshire and beyond serving a population of more than half a million from various clinics. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.

What is a Foundation Trust?

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 March 2010. A foundation trust status gives us greater freedom to manage our own affairs, and makes us more directly accountable to local people through our Members, who are drawn from the local population and staff.

We are managed by a Board of Directors and the Trust is overseen by our Council of Governors. Find out more about our organisational structure and meetings and papers.

We continue to be part of the NHS and treat patients in accordance with core NHS principles – healthcare that is provided according to clinical need, not ability to pay, that it is free at the point of delivery, and that it meets the needs of everyone.

Our Members actively influence the progress of the Trust and help us to be genuinely patient-centred in every aspect. Find out about becoming a Member.

Contact

Address: South Warwickshire Hospital; Lakin Road; Warwick; Warwickshire; CV34 5BW
Contact Number: 01926 495321

Find out more

Jobs Website

Open

Ref: 203-C595 Vacancy ID: 8311268

Trust Secretary

Accepting applications until: 11-Oct-2026 23:59

Vacancy status: Open

Accepting applications until: 11-Oct-2026 23:59

Location

Site: Warwick Hospital
Town: Warwick
Postcode: CV34 5BW
Major / Minor Region: Warwickshire

Contract type & working pattern

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary

Salary: £79,504 - £91,609 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Grade: (NHS AfC: Band 8c)

Specialty

Main area: Trust Secretary

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.

We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don’t need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare.

The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

Many of the roles we advertise have a requirement for a DBS check to be carried out. If you are successful for a role and it requires a DBS check the Trust will carry out the initial check and subscription to the DBS Update Service, however successful candidates will be expected to cover the associated costs . Details of this will be sent to successful candidates in their offer letter.

Probationary Period

All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 3 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.

As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion we encourage all applicants to complete a short survey. This can be accessed via the link below:

https://forms.office.com/e/ahWY3eAGM2

We appreciate you completing the survey.

Agile and Flexible Working

All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.

The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.

Staff Benefits

The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available.

Car Parking

The Trust currently have limited availability of car parking spaces, as such are operating a waiting list for new starters joining the organisation.

To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).

Visa Sponsorship

The Trust will only consider sponsoring staff for certain roles, however this will be considered on a case by case basis in line with current legislation. As an employer we are unable to offer sponsorship to all roles in particular we cannot offer sponsorship for roles below Band 5.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Corporate Governance/Board of Directors/Trust Board:

Provide independent expert advice and support to the Chief Executive and Chairperson on all matters relating to statutory and legislative compliance and interpretation.

Provide authoritative advice to the Chief Executive, Chairperson, Board of Directors/Trust Board and Council of Governors on legal, constitutional matters, correct and proper conduct of business and meetings. Commission and provide briefings for external legal advice where necessary, to ensure the efficient and effective resolution of issues.

Scrutinise and report to the Board of Directors/Trust Board on all new regulatory developments.

Ensure that the Trust complies with its terms of authorisation and Constitution, and that amendments to the Constitution are drafted and incorporated in line with correct procedures, including the seeking of legal advice.

Support the Chairperson and Chief Executive in ensuring compliance with The NHS Foundation Trust Code of Governance and other best practice in corporate governance.

Ensure Standing Orders are in place, acted upon and reviewed as necessary, and with the Chief Finance Officer, ensure Standing Financial Instructions and a Scheme of Delegation is similarly in place, reviewed and acted upon by the Board of Directors/Trust Board.

Contribute to the development of systems, control processes and risk management arrangements that comply with internal and external governance and best practice requirements, and contribute to continuous improvement of the quality of risk information particularly in the areas of key controls.

With the Chief Executive, Managing Director and Chief Officers, ensure effective risk management reporting for the Trust, including through the submission of regular reports to the Board of Directors/Trust Board on the Trust’s risk profile.

On behalf of the Managing Director, take responsibility for the Board Assurance Framework (BAF). Ensure the BAF is populated once the Trust and Foundation Group annual objectives have been agreed, reviews are undertaken on a quarterly basis and the BAF is scrutinised, challenged and reviewed in accordance with the agreed BAF review process.

Ensure reporting arrangements to enable the Board of Directors/Trust Board to focus on those goals and objectives in the annual plan that are at risk of not being delivered.

Ensure the effective flow of information within the Board of Directors/Trust Board and Committees, and between the Executive Team and the Board of Directors/Trust Board, through the development and implementation of a sound performance reporting and risk management system and other appropriate mechanisms.

Assess the governance implications of papers put to the Board of Directors/Trust Board and Audit Committee.

Ensure that the Board of Directors/Trust Board and its Committees are properly constituted, operated and supported, according to the Trust’s Constitution and the regulatory framework.

Provide authoritative advice to the Trust’s Audit Committee and Audit Committee Chair, ensuring compliance with governance requirements.

Responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of declarations under the Fit and Proper Person regulations (The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, regulation 5), for Directors and defined equivalents. Ensuring that the necessary checks are undertaken for new appointees.

Responsible for ensuring the Registers of Directors and Directors’ Declarations of Interest are maintained, regularly updated and available for public inspection.

Provide advice and guidance to Board members and Trust staff on the Trust’s Gifts, Hospitality and Sponsorship Policy. Ensuring the Trust’s Gifts, Hospitality and Sponsorship Register is maintained and a 6-monthly progress report and update on the Register is submitted to Audit Committee.

Provide advice and guidance to Trust staff on the Trust’s Managing Conflicts of Interest Policy. Ensuring the Trust’s Staff Declarations of Interest Register is maintained and a 6-monthly progress report and update on the Register is submitted to Audit Committee.

Ensure that arrangements are in place for the safe custody and application of the common seal, and maintain the Register of Signing and Sealing.

Responsible for the signing and sealing of any documents that are a necessary step in legal proceedings in accordance with the Board of Directors’/Trust Boards’ Standing Orders.

Responsible for ensuring the Annual Report is prepared, in accordance with all relevant legislation/guidance, and ensuring the Annual Report and Annual Accounts are both laid before Parliament in accordance with statutory deadlines.

Act as a signatory on behalf of the Trust, as outlined in the Scheme of Delegation.

Foundation Trust/NHS Trust Secretariat:

Oversee the provision of the secretariat functions for providing adequate administrative resource to facilitate the effective working of the Board of Directors/Trust Board and its Committees. The Secretariat will support the Chairperson, Chief Executive and Committee Chairs, in the effective conduct of the Board of Directors/Trust Board and Board Committee business, in particular through:

Planning, preparation and timely submission of agendas, reports, supporting papers and Minutes;

Preparing agenda and Minutes for Board of Directors/Trust Board and Board Committees; preserving proper records of business;

Organisation, agenda planning, identification and assignment of actions and tasks; and determining forward plans for the business of the Board of Directors/Trust Board in consultation with the Chairperson and Chief Executive;

Maintaining calendars of prospective Board of Directors’/Trust Board’s business to ensure such business is appropriately dealt with within an annual business cycle;

Reviewing and discussing, as required, the Board of Directors/Trust Board agendas to optimise the use of time at meetings;

Ensuring that agendas are issued with proper notice;

Ensuring Minutes of the Board of Directors/Trust Board and Committees properly record decisions made and their context, and

Ensuring that the business of the Board of Directors/Trust Board and its Committees is planned in advance and that papers are dealt with by the most appropriate Committee in the most appropriate way.

Line manage the Deputy Trust Secretary, and the corporate support function ensuring appraisal/training requirements are met and provide advice and support when required.

Council of Governors:

Manage legal and constitutionally compliant arrangements for elections to the Council of Governors and the appointment of stakeholders; managing the process for resignations and replacements between elections.

Provide advice to the Council of Governors, including interpretation of the Constitution, Standing Orders and other policies/procedures.

Ensure the Council of Governors is supported effectively in its statutory roles, including support at meetings and Governor Committee meetings.

Support the Chairperson to ensure effective communication with the Council of Governors and ensure there is a satisfactory induction process and training for Governors.

Ensure that effective arrangements are in place for the Council of Governors to communicate with members.

Ensure that general meetings of the Council of Governors are held in accordance with the Trust’s Constitution.

Responsible for the arrangements of the Council of Governor working group to review the Trust’s Constitution and seeking legal advice where required.

Oversee the provision of the secretarial functions to the Council of Governors and its Committees/Working Groups, including:

Planning, preparation and timely submission of agendas, reports, supporting papers and Minutes;

Maintaining calendars of prospective business to ensure such business is appropriately dealt with, within an annual cycle;

Ensuring that agendas are issued with proper notice;

Ensuring Minutes of the Council of Governors and Committees properly record decisions made and their context, and

Ensure the Registers of members of the Council of Governors and Governors’ Declarations of Interest are maintained, regularly updated and available for public inspection.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Sometimes we get a lot of applications for our roles. On those occasions we might close the job early. If you don’t want to miss out we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.

The Trust use an Applicant Management System called TRAC which helps us manage the recruitment process. All communications regarding your application will come via TRAC (even if you applied via NHS Jobs).

Please check your TRAC account regularly and ensure your email is set up to accept messages so they don't go into your junk/spam folder.

We aim to shortlist all vacancies within 2 days of the vacancy closing, we will get back to all candidates ASAP.

Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed fully. Please particularly ensure that you provide full details of all referees including business email address, telephone contact details and postal address.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Equality and Diversity and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the grounds of any protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

All South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust sites are smoke free. We feel it’s a great way to help our patients, visitors and staff stay healthy.

The Trust is part of a ‘Foundation Group’ through a strategic alliance with Wye Valley NHS Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. This partnership is great for the sustainability of all four organisations and allows us to share learning and maximise opportunities to ensure the delivery of high quality health and care services for our local populations.

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Degree level qualification or equivalent experience
Qualification in Corporate Governance
Evidence of on-going commitment to continuing professional development

Desirable criteria

Post graduate professional/management qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential criteria

Minimum of 5 years’ experience working as a Company Secretary or in a senior governance role in a large and complex organisation.
Experience of supporting Boards and Committees and working at Board level
Evidence of creating successful partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders
Evidence of managing highly complex arrangements to a high degree of accuracy, timeliness and effectiveness
Evidence of successfully handling sensitive situations efficiently and confidentially
Previous experience of working in the NHS or other regulated sector

Skills

Essential criteria

Proven specialist knowledge of corporate governance and other relevant legislation and best practice
Ability to understand highly complex issues quickly and explain them clearly and succinctly
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Highly organised with excellent prioritising skills
Ability to prioritise workloads to achieve competing deadlines
Strong analytical skills with the ability to receive, interpret and provide highly complex, sensitive or confidential information
Excellent minute-taking skills
An understanding of NHS legislation, regulatory and governance frameworks (including those specific to Foundation Trusts) and Constitutions and their impact on NHS organisations

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

Able to build excellent relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and partners
Methodical with a high level of organisational and administrative skills
Well-developed inter-personal and influencing skills
Ability to concentrate on highly complex technical materials for long periods of time
Ability to work as part of a team at a variety of levels, with the skills to develop collaborative relationships
Demonstrates an innovative and motivated approach to the role
Ability to work flexibly and under pressure and to meet demanding timescales
Strong attention to detail
Proven ability to work with significant autonomy and to make decisions based on sound well-informed judgements