Company Secretary Assistant

Looking for a new challenge?

Take a look at our current vacancies. If you see a vacancy that is right for you, we encourage you to apply! Company Secretary Assistant The Business Management Office works with colleagues from across the Financial Ombudsman Service, and at all levels, to provide support to the Board and Executive and help maintain strong corporate governance & decision-making arrangements and processes. In all their work, the Business Management Office help join the dots and ensure the Chairman, the Board and Executive are focused on key strategic and operational priorities and that there is a cogent and cohesive account of the scrutiny they undertake and the decisions they make. Contract: permanent Working hours: 35 hours per week Salary: Up to £41,800 Reporting to: Head of Business Management London docklands Our permanent hybrid policy sees us all working at least four days across a fortnight in the office. You’ll support the Company Secretary to ensure our compliance with the requirements set out in company law, providing accurate procedural advice to the Executive and the Board, and that we’re acting within the law when carrying out our duties. Key responsibilities Company Secretary support

• Supporting the Company Secretary to comply with corporate governance requirements
• Helping to provide advice on governance matters, including in relation to relevant statutory and good practice requirements.
• Helping to create and maintain good practice materials and helping to provide training where required.
• Maintaining the Governance Map and responding to queries about its content.
• The accurate completion of the Gifts and Hospitality Register, raising and responding to any queries about declarations and arranging its publication.

Central Secretariat

• Matrix managing the provision of corporate support to the Board and the Executive – including scheduling meetings, preparation of agendas and timely distribution of packs.
• Working with colleagues from across the organisation to maintain forward agendas, identify future business and draft meeting agendas.
• Setting deadlines for papers and ensuring their timely submission.
• Taking minutes, where required.
• Helping Develop and managing our new Board Portal
• Maintaining central actions log, following up on actions and ensuring their timely completion.
• Maintaining i-drive records and record retention.
• Continue to ensure the tools used to access and retain documents by the Board members and the Executive Committee meet their needs and are effective and secure.

To be considered for this role, you’ll need to show us that you’ve got the skills and capabilities. You’ll have to meet the following minimum criteria:

• Previous experience in a governance function, for example a Board and/or Executive Secretariat or in a role within the financial services industry, or regulatory or legal field

• Understanding complex information and using well developed analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills – both orally and in writing.
• Working with senior colleagues, including those on the Executive and Board.
• First rate organising and planning.
• Working calmly under pressure and prioritising effectively when demands change.
• Being able to work to tight deadlines.
• Paying very close attention to detail.
• Working on confidential and sensitive issues.
• Strong Word and PowerPoint skills (including mastering of SmartArt graphics) and a good level of experience with Excel.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience in an organisation of equivalent size and complexity to the Financial Ombudsman Service, or larger.

Why Financial Ombudsman Service? Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it wasn’t for their amazing efforts, ideas and commitment we wouldn’t be able to make a difference that we do today. So, we offer an attractive, competitive salary and flexible benefits to suit them. Here’s a list of some of the many benefits and perks you can get for working with us:

• 25 days holiday entitlement, with the option to buy extra or sell days
• Generous pension
• Employer provided benefits such as Private medical insurance, virtual GP, Critical illness cover, Life assurance cover, to name a few
• Choice of voluntary benefits including Technology scheme, Cycle to work scheme, Will-writing service amongst others
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Extensive opportunities for personal and career development
• Fully equipped on-site gym open 24 / 7 (London office only)
• Extensive Well-being resources including on-site therapists (London office only)
• Beautiful and bright London office looking over the Thames and near to mainline stations
• Our Coventry office is 2 minutes’ walk from the main station
• Our employee led networks do fantastic work in educating and raising awareness across a range of experiences and support us in being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. You can get involved, too!

How do I apply?

• Apply by uploading your current CV. If you'd also like to submit a cover letter, please upload this at the same time.

Applications need to be submitted by 23:59 on Wednesday 12th April 2023 Due to high application numbers this advert may end earlier than the date specified, so please don't delay and apply now! A full job profile is available on request and will be provided to candidates shortlisted to the first stage of the assessment process. We’re proud to be an inclusive employer We view diversity as fundamental to our success and welcome applications from underrepresented groups across all communities. We’re committed to being a great place to work– attracting and developing people from the widest possible range of backgrounds. We want everyone to perform at their best and feel able to be themselves. We understand that if we’re diverse and inclusive, we’ll better understand different perspectives, which is fundamental to our job resolving financial complaints. We welcome applications from Black and other ethnic minority candidates, and female candidates, for all positions and particularly so for senior leader positions as they are under-represented within the Financial Ombudsman Service at this level. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. This means that we will put disabled candidates entering under the scheme through to the next stage of the recruitment process should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. A minimum criterion needs to be measurable from reviewing a candidate’s CV/supporting statement. Exceptions may apply if due to the volume of applications we are not able to interview all eligible candidates who qualify under the scheme. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about any reasonable adjustments you need, please email hrsupport@financial-ombudsman.org.uk and let us know your preferred method of contact. Find out more Check out below channels to find out more about everyday life at the Financial Ombudsman Service – and don’t forget to follow us while you’re there!

• LinkedIn: Financial Ombudsman Service
• Our careers page: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/who-we-are/join-us

Good luck with your application!