Company Secretarial Assistant

Credible and strong governance. Smooth operations. Impacting the future.

Company Secretarial Assistant

£38,000 - £43,231 per annum + benefits

Reports to: Deputy Company Secretary

Directorate: Chief Operating Office

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Closing date: 12 July 2024 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: Telephone Interview and two competency-based interviews

Interview date: Telephone interviews the week commencing 22 July 2024

How do I apply? We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That's why we're looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

The Company Secretariat team are essential in safeguarding Cancer Research UK. This strong-performing and respected team play a leading role in ensuring the charity is compliant with the Charity Commission and UK regulations.

As a Company Secretarial Assistant, your purpose will be to collaborate with the Company Secretariat team to support Cancer Research UK's Trustees, CEO, Executive team, General Counsel & Company Secretary in delivering an effective and efficient approach to the charity's governance. You will gain exposure to and support the Council and its Committees, internal boards, senior leaders across the organisation, and where appropriate the Executive team.

You will have a valuable impact on the charity by strengthening the Company Secretariat's governance processes and systems ensuring they are fit for the future in line with best practices, ultimately contributing to the smooth running of the function and both Cancer Research UK's operational management and success. If you have experience in Board/Committee administration with a demonstrable understanding of what good governance looks like, we would love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

Collaborating with the CEO, General Counsel & Company Secretary, and Deputy Company Secretary to strengthen the foundations of the Company Secretariat function at Cancer Research UK, including but not limited to:

• Providing Secretariat support to the Council's Committees and other Secretariat meetings:

  • This includes making logistical arrangements for meetings, writing Committee Chair briefings, attending meetings, drafting minutes and actions for approval by the Committee Chair, and liaising with meeting members and senior stakeholders on all aspects of Committee business.

• Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Company Secretariat activities and processes by creating and/or reviewing standard templates, policies, standard operating procedures and checklists, and technology (including the use of AI).

• Enhancing the current Trustee selection, onboarding, induction, and training programmes.

• Supporting submissions of Cancer Research UK's annual report and accounts, and annual related processes (e.g. declarations of interest).

• Reviewing the charity's compliance in line with the Charity Commission requirements and guidance, corporate governance codes, and exploring ways to emulate best practices in all areas of charity governance.

• Implementing actions in response to recommendations from governance effectiveness reviews.

• Reviewing and enhancing policies and processes for Members' nominations, honour nominations, Trustee and staff declarations of interest, and gifts and hospitality.

• Supporting the ongoing management of the charity's organisational policies, requirements, and guidance.

• Collaborating with the Legal team to review Cancer Research UK's group structure aiming to rationalise and consolidate where appropriate.

• Supporting the Company Secretariat team in organising and delivering internal and external facing activities relating to the Council and its Committees.

• Developing the team's intranet and web pages as a central information hub for staff and external stakeholders on all governance matters.

• Streamlining the Company Secretariat's filing system and historical data ensuring to consolidate into up-to-date sources of information and comprehensive working registers.

• Supporting the Deputy Company Secretary in maintaining the charity's registers and records of charitable corporate and fundraising registrations.

  • This includes supporting in maintaining compliance with statutory reporting and filing requirements in relevant jurisdictions for the group entities and subsidiaries.

What are you looking for?

• Significant experience in Board/Committee administration (including minute-taking and supporting Board and Committee members).

• Proven knowledge of governance requirements and best practices with a strong understanding of what good governance looks like.

  • For example, annual reporting & accounts, disclosures, regulators & commissions (e.g. the charity commission), legal compliance, and policy.

• Strong planning, prioritisation, and organisational skills with a background in managing a complex and diverse workload while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

• Built relationships at all levels (including senior leaders) using a diplomatic and confidential approach with effective communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.

• Comfortable and efficient using Microsoft Office (including SharePoint, MS Teams, and managing hybrid meetings).

• Ideally, CGI UK qualified (Chartered Governance Institute- formerly ICSA Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators) or equivalent.

  • This is desirable, meaning we welcome applicants without this qualification.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human : Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we'd still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page .

Additional information

If you want to know more about this role, here is a full job description . Please note this is a generalist profile used for internal & external purposes meaning we don't expect candidates to meet all the criteria included (we will be shortlisting based on the criteria advertised).

For more information ...