Finegreen are working with Community Dental Services (CDS), an NHS Provider organisation based in Bedfordshire who are seeking to appoint a permanent Company Secretary. Community Dental Services are an award winning 100% employee owned, dentally led, social enterprise.
Community Dental Services provide high quality dental care that high street dentistry doesn’t reach.
The Company Secretary is an integral role to the organisation and experience in this capacity is essential. The role is part time and will be working 2 days a week, with an expectation of 1 day per month on site and will be remunerated at band 8a NHS equivalent c£50,000 - £60,000 pa pro rata.
Key responsibilities will include:
Advise the Board on its core functions and NHS England (NHSE) and Company governance advice, including the Governance Handbook and Competency Framework for Governance. Work closely with CEO, Chair and Exec on CDS governance action plan;
Advise the Board on relevant legislation and procedural matters where necessary before, during and after meetings;
Offer advice on best practice in governance, including on Sub-committee structures both at Board and Sub-Committee level;
Advise the Board on best practice in relation to its scheme of delegation for governance;
Proactively manage the annual calendar of Board meetings and tasks in liaison with the Executive Assistant; Attend in person Board meetings and Board development days, this may also involve visits to CDS services;
Send new Board members induction materials and ensure they have access to appropriate documents, including any agreed Code of Conduct;
Support the Chair in the induction of new Employee Elective Directors (EED) and Non-Executive directors (NED) taking on new roles;
Identify priorities, anticipate issues which may arise and draw these matters to the Chair’s and CEO’s attention and propose recommendations;
Hold and ensure that any EED elections are held in a timely, effective manner in accordance with CDS Articles and that all Director positions are also maintained in accordance with CDS Articles;
Maintain all statutory and legal returns and filings in accordance with the Companies Act and any other relevant legal requirements including drafting board resolutions, waivers and consents, as well as ensuring Company books are updated and share certificates and Companies House filings are prepared and filed;
Responsible for ensuring the filing of Financial Statements within the regulatory framework (nb; the CFO is the lead responsible for the preparation and approval of documents);
Manage the Sub-Committees to the Board to ensure consistency of Minutes and timeliness of reporting;
Liaise with chairs of Sub-Committees and linked Executive Directors to ensure all activities coordinated such as meetings and agendas for the following Sub-Committees:
Remuneration and Nominations Committee – Quarterly;
Finance, Audit & Risk – Quarterly;
Clinical Governance and Quality – Quarterly;
Ensure timely distribution of agenda and papers as required by the appropriate committee Terms of Reference;
Check Board and sub-committee draft minutes of meetings, which should include who is responsible for any agreed action with timescales, and feedback to the Executive Assistant to send drafts to the relevant Chair;
Advise the Board and Sub-Committees in advance of the expiry of a Board Member’s term of office and the impact of this on the remaining capacity and skills mix;
Advise the Board on the Department of Health (DOH) and Companies House recommendations and guidance in relation to members;
Establish, in discussion with the Board, open and transparent vacancy filling processes and procedures for new appointments, so these can be organised in a timely manner;
Maintain Register of Interests and up to date records of all Board and Committee members;
Maintain copies of current Terms of Reference and membership of any Sub-committees, working parties and Board Members with specific oversight of an area e;g; Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing;
Maintain a secure electronic record of final Minutes of meetings on CDS data hub and ensure copies are sent to relevant Sub-committees on request and are published as agreed at meetings;
Prepare briefing papers for the Board, as necessary on regulatory or Company rules;
Manages the budget for the function ensuring value for money;
The ideal candidate will have:
Post-graduate specialist, relevant qualification or relevant specialist qualification plus equivalent level of experience. The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland qualified or currently working towards;
Proven Experience of providing corporate governance support for a complex organisation, minimum of 3 -5 years;
Demonstrable knowledge of the Companies Act 2006;
Significant experience as a Board/ Company Secretary (or equivalent governance role) in a private company, NHS Trust or broader public sector;
Knowledge of NHS governance frameworks;
Proven ability to operate and think laterally at a strategic level, including well developed political awareness;
Highly developed communication and influencing skills;
Able to communicate highly complex information in high pressure situations;
If you are interested in the role, please email Toni Coates with a copy of your updated CV to (url removed) along with your availability and rate understanding in line with the above