Corporate Governance Lead

About the role

Ashgate Hospice is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means we are committed to inclusive hiring and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours worked flexibly Monday to Friday Flexibility is needed within this post to cover occasional weekend and evening meetings. Part time work of a minimum of 30 hours per week will be considered.

Join our team as a Corporate Governance Lead – and help shape the future of hospice care.

Are you an experienced Executive Support professional who’s worked closely with Boards and Committees? Are you ready to take your skills to the next level in a values-led organisation where governance truly matters?

We’re looking for a confident and proactive Corporate Governance Lead to join our dedicated team at Ashgate Hospice. In this pivotal role, you’ll support and help shape our governance framework, enabling the Board of Trustees and Leadership Team to deliver our strategic goals and maintain high standards of compliance and accountability.

Our Governance Team is small but mighty – made up of a Head of Corporate Governance, a Corporate Governance Officer, and this Lead role. Together, we’re passionate about supporting the smooth and effective running of the hospice behind the scenes, always focused on delivering the best possible care to our community.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to something truly meaningful, work closely with senior stakeholders, and make a visible impact in an organisation that values compassion, respect and teamwork.

If you’re a motivated professional with experience in executive support and a strong grasp of governance, we’d love to hear from you.

About the role

As Corporate Governance Lead, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of effective, compliant and high-quality governance across the hospice. Working closely with the Head of Corporate Governance, Chief Executive, Board of Trustees and senior leaders, you will help to maintain strong governance systems and processes that enable strategic oversight and excellent care delivery.

You’ll be responsible for co-ordinating and administering Board and Committee meetings, managing governance documents, supporting trustee recruitment and development, and helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement. You’ll also provide high-level executive support to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive, ensuring strong links between governance and day-to-day operations.

This is a varied and rewarding role, ideal for someone who thrives on structure, collaboration and making a behind-the-scenes difference.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality executive support to the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, and Leadership Team, including diary management and meeting coordination.

• Coordinate and support Board and Committee meetings, ensuring agendas, papers and minutes are produced and distributed to the highest standard.

• Help maintain and improve the hospice’s governance framework, supporting compliance with statutory, regulatory and best practice requirements.

• Support trustee recruitment, induction, development and succession planning in collaboration with the Head of Corporate Governance.

• Contribute to internal governance reviews and the ongoing development of governance processes that enable the delivery of Ashgate’s strategic objectives.

For the full details, you can read the attached job description or give the recruiting manager a call on 01246 568801for an informal chat (it may be possible to arrange a visit to the hospice).

What you’ll bring:

We’re looking for someone who is proactive, solutions-focused, and highly organised. You’ll have a sharp eye for detail and the insight to see the bigger picture – connecting people, processes and priorities across the governance framework. With the confidence to influence at senior level and the drive to implement improvements, you’ll help ensure our governance supports both compliance and meaningful impact.

If you're someone who thrives on enabling effective conversations and making things happen behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you.

About Ashgate:

Ashgate Hospice, based in North Derbyshire, offers free palliative and end of life care for adults with life-limiting or incurable illnesses, including cancer, neurological diseases, and advanced heart, kidney, and lung conditions. Last year, we cared for over 2,400 people. Our aim is to support our patients by keeping them informed, managing their symptoms, and improving their quality of life from diagnosis onwards.

We also provide vital support to the people who are important to them, offering practical assistance and emotional support, including bereavement services.

We’re more than a care provider. We’re a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do:

• We are compassionate.
• We are a team.
• We are respectful, open, and inclusive.

We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

We strive to create a workplace that’s happy, safe, and supportive – and our team seems to agree! In fact, 89% of staff would recommend Ashgate Hospice as an employer.

We know how important wellbeing and work-life balance are, which is why we’re open to flexible work arrangements, including job-sharing.

As part of our team, you’ll have access to training opportunities to help you grow, both personally and professionally. Whether you want to develop in your current role or explore new career paths, we’ll support you every step of the way.

Want to know more about what it’s like to work with us? Visit our website, check out our social media channels, or listen to our podcast, The Life and Death Podcast. It’s a great way to get a sense of the Ashgate team and the difference we make.

Benefits of joining us

At Ashgate, we take care of the people who take care of others. Here are some of the benefits we offer:

• Generous holiday entitlement, with the option to increase it through our Annual Buy and Sell Leave Scheme.
• A flexible working approach to help meet your needs and ours, including options like job-sharing.
• A Cycle to Work scheme and a Tech Benefit scheme to help spread the cost of your next bike or gadget.
• The Westfield Health Cash Plan, giving you money back on treatments like physiotherapy, dental care, and eye tests.
• Free access to Westfield Rewards, with discounts at hundreds of high-street retailers.
• A confidential Employee Assistance Programme, offering free, round-the-clock support when you need it.
• A pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution, helping you save for the future.
• A life assurance scheme, giving peace of mind for you and those important to you, up to age 65.
• A commitment to your personal and professional development, with training opportunities to help you grow.
• Free, on-site parking whenever you're working at the hospice.
• Discounted, onsite café at our Old Brampton site, available to all staff
• A wide range of initiatives to support your wellbeing, and the time out to practice self-care

Ready to make a difference?

To learn more about the role, please contact Heidi Golden at 01246 568 801 or email Heidi.golden@ashgatehospice.org.uk. You can arrange to visit the hospice to see what it would be like to work with us.

Please note: Applications must be submitted via the ‘Apply Now’ button on our website. Applications sent directly to HR or the recruiting manager will not be accepted.

Proposed interview date: TBC

Additional information:

• If you're successful, you'll need to complete a standard DBS check as part of our pre-employment process. You can find more details in the candidate assistant notes.
• As a healthcare provider, we prioritise the safety of our patients, staff, and visitors. That's why we encourage and recommend all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive the flu jab—unless there's a compelling reason not too
• If you need any help with the recruitment process, our HR team is here to assist. You can reach them at hr@ashgatehospice.org.uk or call 01246 568 801.

Additional support for candidates

• We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive, fair, and accessible to everyone.
• Reasonable adjustments: We are pleased to offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process for individuals with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, or long-term health needs.
• Shortlisting commitment: In line with our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, we guarantee to shortlist any disabled candidate who meets the essential criteria for the role.
• Interview preparation: All shortlisted candidates will receive their interview questions in advance to help you feel fully prepared.

Accessibility resources:

• If you need assistance completing your online application, you can contact the Disability Employment Service/Youth Employment Service by emailing ASCH.Disability.EmploymentProject@derbyshire.gov.uk.
• We encourage you to complete and share your Health Adjustment Passport. This helps us understand any adjustments or support you might need. Even if you choose not to share it, the passport can be a valuable tool for your own benefit.. This helps us understand any adjustments or support you might need. Even if you choose not to share it, the passport can be a valuable tool for your own benefit.
• You can also access support through the Access to Work scheme. a government initiative designed to help you start or remain in work if you have a health condition or disability. This includes support for the recruitment process. Learn more on the Access to Work webpage

For further guidance or information, these resources may also be helpful:

• Looking for work if you are disabled
• Reed in Partnership, Chesterfield Office: Call 0124 695 6275
• Disability Employment Service, Derbyshire County Council

If you have any questions about adjustments or the recruitment process, please contact our HR team at hr@ashgatehospice.org.uk or call 01246 568 801.