This is an exciting opportunity to join NHS Wales Performance and Improvement in a newly established senior leadership role at the heart of the organisation. As Head of Corporate Business, you will provide strategic leadership across corporate governance, risk management, assurance, compliance, Welsh language standards and corporate business functions, helping to shape and strengthen the organisation’s governance and business management arrangements. Based on the organisation’s ambitions to be a high‑performing, well‑governed and continuously improving organisation, you will work closely with the Chief of Staff, Senior Director Team and colleagues across NHS Wales to ensure the highest standards of accountability, transparency and regulatory compliance.
The successful candidate will be an experienced and credible leader with substantial expertise in governance, assurance and organisational development within a complex environment. They will possess the ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities and influence at the most senior levels, while fostering a positive, inclusive and high‑performing culture.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Main duties of the job
Provide authoritative advice, assurance and challenge to the Senior Director Team and senior leaders on governance, risk, compliance and organisational performance matters.
Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams within the Corporate Governance, Compliance and Corporate Business functions, with accountability for workforce planning, performance management, staff development and wellbeing.
Oversee the management and development of corporate information systems, including Datix, Power BI and SharePoint, ensuring high‑quality governance and assurance reporting.
Lead the preparation of key corporate reports, assurance statements and annual reporting requirements, including accountability and compliance reporting.
Develop and deliver organisation‑wide training, guidance and capability‑building programmes relating to governance, risk management, compliance and corporate business processes.
Deputise for the Chief of Staff on complex, sensitive and high‑risk matters, representing the organisation at senior‑level meetings and national forums as required.
Lead and oversee complex investigations, organisational reviews and improvement initiatives, ensuring lessons learned are translated into effective service and organisational development.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, transparency and excellence in governance across NHS Wales Performance and Improvement.
Job responsibilities
The Head of Corporate Business provides strategic leadership for corporate governance, risk management, assurance, regulatory compliance, Welsh language standards and corporate business functions across NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. The post holder acts as the organisations senior professional lead for these areas, providing expert advice and assurance to the Chief of Staff, Senior Director Team and senior leaders on matters that carry significant organisational, financial and reputational risk.
The role is responsible for developing and maintaining robust governance, assurance and business management frameworks that support effective decision‑making, accountability and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. This includes oversight of organisational risk management arrangements, governing documents, written control documents, audit processes and organisational assurance reporting.
The post holder will lead multidisciplinary teams delivering high‑profile and confidential services, ensuring the organisation has effective business processes. They will act as lead officer for providing assurance to the PHW Board and Committees as required, co‑ordinating responses to internal and external scrutiny, and provide assurance that appropriate controls and business management arrangements are in place across the organisation.
Key responsibilities include leading the development of governance and business management frameworks; overseeing organisational risk and assurance reporting; ensuring compliance with legislative standards and regulatory requirements; managing corporate information systems including Datix, SharePoint and Power BI; and producing high‑quality corporate reports and assurance statements.
The Head of Corporate Business will provide strong leadership to the Corporate Support and Business Team with responsibility for team workforce planning, performance management, staff development and wellbeing. The role requires the ability to influence and negotiate at senior levels, manage complex and sensitive issues, lead organisational change and represent the organisation at national forums and external meetings.
Working with a high degree of autonomy, the post holder will deputise for the Chief of Staff as required, lead complex investigations and improvement initiatives, and play a key role in supporting the development of a high‑performing, well‑governed and continuously improving organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
- Educated to Master’s degree Level or relevant equivalent experience
- In-depth knowledge in a number of disciplines e.g. financial management, performance management, information systems and staff management, acquired through post graduate training and experience
- Demonstrable specialist knowledge in formulating long term clinical strategic plans, involving uncertainty and impact on organisation.
- Significant knowledge and experience of transforming community services and hospital delivery
- Evidence of comprehensive continual professional development portfolio
Experience
- Substantial experience in a senior management position in a large complex organisation
- Substantial experience of managing effective compliance against legislative and regulatory frameworks
- Practical experience of leading a change management agenda
- Understanding and experience of the use of a range of communications/involvement techniques targeting a range of audiences
- Experience of using a range of communication methods for public and staff involvement
- Strong track record of internal and external partnership working
- Experience of multi-disciplinary/agency working
- People management and development
- Experience of organisational development
- Experience of managing teams
- Experience of working effectively to support a corporate body that has a Board and formal committee structure
Other
- Ability to travel within geographical area
- To have a flexible approach to work
- Committed to personal development
- Able to work without direct supervision
- Able to follow instruction, paying attention to detail
- Methodical, innovative and self‑motivated
Aptitude and Abilities
- Ability to develop business plans and strategy for areas of activity making major contribution to corporate policies and strategy
- Able to demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills, displaying credibility, influence and political acumen
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a manner which is clear, fluent and persuasive Self‑motivated and committed to developing self and staff
- Ability to work without supervision or guidance using his/her own initiative to solve complex multi‑stranded problems
- Ability to deal with highly complex, sensitive situations assessing and recommending courses of action.
- Good IT and keyboard skills
- Experience of dealing positively with organisational politics.
- Shows empathy and compassion towards others – a natural disposition to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Sees and treats others as individuals (patient, families, colleagues) and treats people with dignity and respect.
- Shows resilience, adaptability and flexible approach as situations arise and positivity when times are tough.
- Shows respect for others’ views and appreciate others’ inputs and encourage colleagues to display our values.
- Motivated to use initiative to recognise problems and seek solutions whilst understanding the importance of empowering and enabling others (patients, families, colleagues).
- Friendly and helpful disposition, awareness of how our own and others’ behaviours impact on people’s experiences and the organisation’s reputation.
- Willing to seek out learning, give and accept constructive feedback and committed to continuous improvement.
- Ability to speak Welsh
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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