About this role
Job summary
Help shape governance, compliance and assurance across a national healthcare organisation.
We are seeking an experienced Governance & Compliance Manager to join our Quality & Governance team.
Reporting to the Director of Quality & Governance, you will lead governance, compliance, risk, information governance and assurance activities across the organisation. You will work closely with senior leaders to ensure effective governance arrangements are in place, support regulatory compliance, coordinate assurance activities and drive continuous improvement.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced governance, compliance or risk professional looking to make a meaningful impact within a growing national healthcare organisation.
Main duties of the job
We're looking for someone with experience in:Governance, compliance, risk, assurance or information governanceManaging complex workstreams and organisational prioritiesSupporting audits, inspections, accreditation or external assurance processesDeveloping policies, procedures and governance frameworksProviding practical advice and constructive challenge to stakeholders at all levelsWorking within a regulated environment
Healthcare or NHS experience would be advantageous but is not essential.
About us
Primary Eyecare Services is the largest not-for-profit provider of NHS primary and community eye care services in England, supporting commissioners and healthcare partners through a network of over 3,000 optometry practices.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please review the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role, responsibilities and requirements.
To apply, please submit:
Your most up-to-date CV, including a valid email address. A separate document containing responses to all of the application questions listed below.
Applications should be sent to: [email protected]
Please note applications will only be considered if both a CV and completed responses to all application questions are provided. Applications submitted without responses to the application questions will not be shortlisted.
Application Questions
Please describe your experience working in governance, compliance, quality, risk, assurance or information governance functions. Please include the types of organisations or environments you have worked in and the level of responsibility you held. Tell us about a complex programme of work, governance workplan or set of competing priorities you have managed. How did you organise the work, monitor progress and ensure key actions were completed? Please describe your experience coordinating or supporting audits, inspections, accreditations or external reviews. What was your role, what evidence or assurance activity were you responsible for, and what was the outcome? Please outline your working knowledge of UK GDPR, data protection and governance/risk/compliance principles. How have you applied this knowledge in practice to provide advice, manage risk or improve compliance?
Closing Date
Applications must be received by 3:00pm on Friday 23 October 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Please review the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role, responsibilities and requirements.
Experience Essential
Significant experience within governance, compliance, quality, risk, assurance or information governance functions. Experience managing complex programmes of work and competing priorities. Experience coordinating audits, inspections, accreditations or external reviews. Experience developing policies, procedures, governance frameworks and assurance documentation. Experience influencing stakeholders and providing advice at varying levels of an organisation. Working knowledge of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Knowledge of governance, risk management and compliance principles. Understanding of audit, assurance and continuous improvement approaches. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving capability. Ability to produce clear reports and recommendations. Strong organisational skills and attention to detail. Ability to work independently and make sound judgements. Commitment to professionalism, integrity and confidentiality. Ability to support and develop others.
Desirable
Experience within the NHS, healthcare or another highly regulated environment. Knowledge of: Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), DTAC, CQC requirements, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Experience supporting certified management systems. Relevant qualification in governance, compliance, risk, quality or data protection. Previous line management or supervisory experience.
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.
Employer details Employer name Primary Eyecare Services
Address Waulk Mill [2.3]
51 Bengal Street
Manchester
Cheshire
M4 6LN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://primaryeyecare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)