Location – London (Hybrid - 3 days in the office and 2 WFH)
Contract - Full time, permanent
Salary - up to £59,850
Purpose of the role:
We are looking for an outstanding Governance Manager to play a key role in ensuring the effective governance of the organisation. We are a mission-led, award-winning organisation that exists to support our members in delivering world-class education and impactful research that benefits business and society.
You will be responsible for acting as company secretary to our Council (Board of Trustees) and providing secretariat support for the Small Business Charter Management Board and a number of our committees. As the Governance Manager and an expert in governance, you will oversee and support colleagues across the organisation to ensure excellence in the coordination of all our committees.
You will also be responsible for managing our compliance with our Royal Charter and the Charity Commission and ensuring the Association has the highest standards of policies and procedures in accordance with our bylaws.
If you are an experienced governance professional who is highly organised, with great attention to detail, and has the ability to manage change and drive the organisation’s governance practice, then this is an excellent opportunity. We are a dynamic, enterprising, and progressive organisation that is very much valued by our members and stakeholders.
Responsibilities of the role:
* Responsible for the effective management of the Association’s governance including the Council (Board of Trustees), the Small Business Charter Management Board, and our committees.
* Manage the scheduling, agenda preparation, production of papers, and actions follow-up for the Council, the Small Business Charter Management Board, and any committees you are directly responsible for. This includes working closely with the Chairs, CEO, and the leadership team.
* Brief the Chairs prior to meetings and take accurate minutes of the meeting.
* Ensure all Boards and committees are constituted and managed in accordance with our Royal Charter bylaws and relevant terms of reference.
* Ensure elections, appointments, and onboarding of trustees and committee members are conducted effectively and in keeping with bylaws, terms of reference, our membership engagement KPIs, and the Association’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
* Continually monitor governance performance and identify best practice recommendations to improve decision-making and the efficiency of managing our governance structures. This includes directing and supporting colleagues who are responsible for the scheduling, agenda preparation, production of papers, and actions follow-up of other committees.
* Organise the governance aspects for our Annual General Meeting which takes place during our Annual Conference. This includes preparing the AGM agenda and any resolutions, taking minutes, facilitating voting on resolutions, supporting the Council Chair, CEO, and other Council members with their presentations, and filing minutes and decisions with the Charity Commission.
* Responsible for keeping abreast of the latest regulatory or statutory changes and policies that might affect the organisation. Maintain and update the Association’s bylaws in the Royal Charter and relevant terms of reference.
* Ensure that statutory policies and related processes are updated in line with regulatory changes.
* Keep Charities Commission and Companies House records up to date.
Experience:
* Significant knowledge and experience of governance gained through company secretarial or governance roles.
* Significant experience of working with Boards, committees, and senior executives.
* Familiarity with the Charity Commission and experience of managing compliance, preferably within a not-for-profit or membership body.
* Experience of managing multiple projects at once and skillfully balancing priorities under time pressures.
* Experience of developing proposals, presentations, papers, and reports.
* Experience in higher education or membership organisations preferred.
Skills:
* Strong interpersonal skills – good relationship builder.
* Strong research, analytical, planning, and organizational skills.
* Very strong attention to detail.
* Ability to work independently, exercise professional judgment, and use discretion.
* Fluency in spoken and written English.
* Excellent written and verbal communication – ability to write compelling proposals and presentations.
* Ability to proofread and edit documents quickly.
* Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities simultaneously.
* Willing to travel and work flexibly as the role requires.
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