Senior Assistant Company Secretary

Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance:

Location: London or Cirencester based with hybrid working

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Employment Type: Permanent

Seniority: Mid-Senior Level

The role:

Operating at the heart of the organisation, the role partners with senior executives to promote accountability, transparency, and sound governance. The Senior Assistant Company Secretary is responsible for supporting the Deputy Company Secretary in the day-to-day delivery of the Company Secretariat’s corporate governance responsibilities, and acts as secretary to boards and board committees of Group companies, where appropriate.

This role ensures the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of board level decision making across the SJP Group, aligned to stakeholder expectations, internal control standards, and the strategic needs of a regulated financial services group. You’ll work in support of the Deputy Company Secretary and Head of Group Executive Governance in the operation of the Group Governance Framework.

What you'll be doing:

Group Corporate Governance arrangements

• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations and governance guidelines including MAR and the UKLA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and UK Listing Rules.
• Monitor and assess the implications of new or changing legislation, regulation and guidelines and oversee the implementation of changes required to meet new statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Provide full company secretarial and governance support to Group Board Committees and Tier 2 subsidiaries.
• Oversees the company secretarial and governance support provided to the Group’s Tier 3 subsidiaries.
• Act as a subject matter expert and provide support and advice to Boards, directors and the business generally on the Corporate Governance aspects of the Group Governance Framework, governance processes and reporting requirements.

Governance Officer

• Act as a key Company Secretarial contact (“Governance Officer”) for a Tier 2 subsidiary and/or the Finance, Risk and People functions;
• Provides governance advice to the CEOs of regulated Tier 2 subsidiaries, Group CFO, Group CRO and Group Chief People Officer, as appropriate.
• Advises on governance standards and best practice, liaising closely with Tier 2 Executive Committees (“ExCo’s”) Secretaries to ensure effective information flows and escalation between the respective Tier 2 ExCo and Tier 2 board and between the Tier 2 board, PLC Board and Board Committees.
• Ensures alignment between the Accountable Executives across the business (including their offices) such that the Executive and Board dovetail effectively.

Corporate Administration

• Oversees the maintenance of the statutory books of Group companies.
• Supports with the maintenance of controls relating to the Company Secretariat’s responsibilities processes to underpin the services delivered.

Shareholder/Investor Relations and Support

• Where appropriate, responsible for aspects of the Company Secretariat’s involvement in the preparation of the Consolidated Group Annual Report and Accounts, the Annual Report and Accounts of the Group’s subsidiary companies and other key corporate reports, ensuring governance narrative is written, potential reporting enhancements are identified and relevant sections of the reports comply with legislation, regulations and guidance.
• Managing the day-to-day relationship with key service providers (for example the Group’s Share Registrar)
• Responsible for ensuring the Group meets its requirements for shareholder meetings (to include the PLC AGM).
• Responsible for ensuring insider lists are maintained in accordance with the requirements of MAR (Market Abuse Regulation).

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified Chartered Secretary with experience of working within Company Secretariat and Governance teams within listed and regulated groups, ideally from within the financial services sector.
• Experience of providing support to boards and/or Executive or board committees within a large group, ideally with a listed parent.
• The role is responsible for the operation of the Group’s governance framework. It demands a breadth of knowledge and experience of:
• UK corporate law, listing regime and corporate governance codes and understanding of wider international regimes;
• Practical knowledge and experience of executive remuneration/share plans and Market Abuse Regulations;
• Experience of providing support to boards and board committees of a listed company or material subsidiary company in a large group; and governance risk and controls practices, regulatory expectations, and executive level decision making protocols.
• Strong experience of having to assess, interpret and apply legislation, regulations and guidance to practical situations.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritising multiple tasks across multiple disciplines, and bringing tasks / projects to closure.
• Although not responsible for the day-to-day line management of individuals within the Company Secretariat, you’ll provide direction, fostering a collaborative and performance driven culture within the team.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and the ability to engage and communicate effectively in an inclusive manner with all people at all levels.
• A collaborative approach, with a keen focus on the collective achievement and performance of the Company Secretariat and Executive Governance.

What's in it for you?

We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.

We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:

• Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
• Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
• 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)

Reasonable Adjustments

We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

What's next?

If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.

As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.