Governance Assistant - 12-month Fixed Term Contract Hybrid working with 2 days per week in our Preston Office (PR1). We can be flexible with hours between 30 - 37 per week A glance at the role and LPPA: An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Governance Assistant to join our organisation on a fixed-term basis. This role will be responsible for providing support to the Head of Governance in relation to corporate governance matters relevant to LPPA and also in relation to procurement and contract management matters. You will also directly support Board members and members of the Executive Leadership Team with day-to-day tasks relating to corporate governance and the delivery of strategic objectives. What we can offer you: - Attractive salary of circa £35 - 40k (FTE) DOE - 25 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays and additional concessionary days, with the ability to 'buy and sell' leave - Access to an excellent pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contributions - Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for when you might need some support - The opportunity to earn through our Employee Referral Scheme - Access to our bespoke Reward Discount Scheme - 'Your Perk Site’ - Opportunities to attend Wellbeing webinars and social events - Daily free fruit and snacks available to you in our office - Free Car Parking in Preston Town Centre What you’ll be doing: - To support corporate governance matters across the entities to ensure the entities are compliant with their obligations under company law and applicable regulations - Co-ordinate meeting dates, annual appointments/invitations, logistics, agendas, and board reports for the following meetings: Board, Committees, Executive leadership, Risk Forum & others - as required - To produce effective minutes and/or action trackers for the above meetings, as requested - To keep action trackers up to date and meaningful by co-ordinating with key individuals to ensure expectations are understood and managed - To become familiar with the Board portal used by the entities to maintain organised, accessible, and appropriately secure folders for the above meetings - To develop slide decks and training packs for the above meetings, and to assist with report writing - To support with work to update policies and processes relating to corporate governance, procurement, and contract management -To review the effectiveness of internal corporate governance processes and generate feedback - To support individuals within the entities to understand and apply corporate governance policies and processes, procurement policies and processes, contract management principles and processes - Support with Board activities such as: - Board member induction, succession planning, training - Maintaining corporate registers (including conflicts, gifts, hospitality, and related parties) - Maintaining databases/ records to evidence compliance with procurement and contract management activities - Drafting text for the Annual Report and Accounts and other annual disclosures - Ad hoc project work - To lead on Companies House filings and maintain the asset management registers for corporate governance, procurement, and contract management documentation - To lead in gathering evidence to satisfy AAF/ ISO/ data protection/ other compliance requirements - To support ELT, Board and Committee diary management - Lead on maintaining the corporate website and intranet from a governance perspective What we need from you: - A proactive, self-motivated team player who can work independently with minimal supervision, manage a high personal workload with multiple deadlines and continually strive for improvements in quality, efficiency and presentation - 2-3 years' relevant experience, working in a governance or EA role within the public or private sector - Strong communication skills to ensure that key information is passed between stakeholders in a professional manner and to build good working relationships within the entities - Effective written and verbal communication and competent in drafting Board reports and governance policies/manuals with some support - Excellent organisational and minuting skills - Started or interested in pursuing a corporate governance qualification - Possesses company secretarial experience, including work to evolve the effectiveness of internal corporate governance frameworks to best practice standards - A basic understanding of public procurement rules and processes - Good analytical skills and the ability to present reasoned and convincing arguments to support and/or challenge a proposal - Excellent level of numerical, analytical, ICT, and report writing skills to assist in the communication of key messages and to facilitate discussions and decision-making