Job Advert
Flexible Location: Based throughout Scotland, NES is a remote friendly employer supporting office and hybrid working. We’re happy to talk about how you want to work.
Work Pattern: Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week
You must have eligibility and entitlement to work in the UK which is required to be maintained throughout your period of employment.
Who We Are
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is the national health board with statutory responsibilities to effect sustainable change through workforce development, education and training across the health and social care system in Scotland, while working at UK level with partner organisations.
The Planning, Performance & Transformation directorate plays a pivotal role in supporting a wide array of services through its key corporate governance functions. It is responsible for developing and delivering strategic plans, driving organisational transformation, and managing and reporting on performance and risks. Additionally, it provides executive and governance support for the Chief Executive and Board Chair, oversees corporate complaints and whistleblowing, and ensures effective policy analysis and corporate reporting. The Directorate also supports educational and research governance, creates visual and promotional materials, monitors external activity, and coordinates stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, it handles internal and external communications, articulates the delivery of corporate priorities, and manages freedom of information requests along with promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The Opportunity
NHS Education for Scotland is seeking a dynamic and experienced Board Secretary and Principal Lead to provide strategic direction, leadership, management, and development across a portfolio of corporate governance functions. This includes board governance, compliance, and executive support.
Do you have well established knowledge relating to practices regarding corporate governance, Scottish Government NHS policies and procedures, as well as legislation and regulations relevant to the public sector?
Do you have strong skills in effective corporate governance and internal controls, by initiating, leading, facilitating, and evaluating the development of systems and practices within an organisation?
Do you hold strong team leadership and management skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with all levels of management, staff, external organisations, and others stakeholders?
Do you have excellent communication skills including presentational communication, combined with good listening skills?
Do you have evidence of highly developed influencing, negotiating, and facilitation skills?
Working within the Planning, Performance and Transformation Directorate
Does this sound like you?
What We Love to See
The Board Secretary and Principal lead role offer a broad range of skills and experience, if you can offer some or all of these, we’d love you to apply:
- Strong evidence of knowledge and understanding of best practice in corporate governance, Scottish Government NHS policy and procedures, and legislation and regulations pertinent to the public sector.
- Significant senior management experience in a leadership role within a large complex organisation preferably within the NHS or public sector
- A confident influencer and negotiator with an ability to quickly establish credibility with senior colleagues across the organisation
- Ability to lead and grow successful teams
- Demonstrate honesty, integrity, care and compassion when dealing with others, utilising tact and persuasion skills when necessary
- Ability to work on own initiative, to organise and prioritise own workloads, to meet strict deadlines
Benefits Which Matter
As a valued employee of NHS Scotland, you can enjoy an extensive range of benefits including:
- Life-work balance - with opportunities for flexible working and hybrid working
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Annual incremental salary progression (up to the maximum of the salary band) plus annual NHS salary scale review
- Annual Leave - 27 Days increasing in line with service plus 8 days public holiday
- NHS discounts and more
Diversity and Inclusion
Developing a successful national service for Scotland is impossible without ensuring we consider the diverse needs, perspectives and backgrounds of everyone in Scotland in our work.
We are focused on hiring the very best talent available for NES, and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and aim to ensure everyone is treated fairly, with respect and has a positive recruitment experience – regardless of the outcome.
It’s not essential to be in Board Secretary/ Principal Lead Corporate Governance role right now. You may be returning from a career break (e.g. maternity, paternity, caring for others) or returning after working in another field. Your experiences elsewhere can bring a fresh perspective to our work.
If you are considering applying and feel it would be helpful to discuss this initially, please contact Christina Bichan - christina.bichan@nhs.scot
Next Steps
Interviews will take place at one of our offices and if successful you would initially work remotely, working from our offices as operationally required.
All applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail.
Interviews including a presentation will take place in person on 3 March 2025. The presentation topic will be sent to candidates selected for interview.
For further information please refer to the Job Information Pack below.
Unless otherwise stated the deadline for applications is 23:59 hours on the closing date. Please note, CVs will not be accepted.
If you have any queries regarding the NHS Scotland National Recruitment Portal or the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to contact our recruitment partners, the East Region Recruitment Service, at: EoS.ERRS@nhs.scot