The opportunity
The Deputy Company Secretary role is pivotal, encompassing the delivery of a robust and transparent internal governance framework, along with the comprehensive management of the Company Secretarial function.
What we offer:
1. Salary - up to £88,500
2. Bonus scheme - on target bonus - 17.5%
3. Pension scheme - contribute up to 5% of your salary and Openwork will match you and put in an extra 5%
4. Critical illness cover
5. Income protection
6. Death in service
7. 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 10 days
8. A range of other flexible benefits to include private medical insurance, dental insurance and much more.
Key Accountabilities:
9. To manage and oversee the efficient organisation and effective delivery of all meetings of Boards of Directors, Committees and all other relevant Committees of senior management within the Openwork Group.
10. Identify developments in the rules and guidance in relation to corporate governance, legal and statutory responsibilities and regulatory requirements that will impact the legal entities within the Openwork Group and communicate them to the relevant audiences.
11. Ensure that advice is provided to the Boards of Directors within the Openwork Group on their legal and corporate responsibilities and matters of corporate governance.
12. Act as the first point of contact for Non-Executive Directors for corporate governance matters, with responsibility for organising and overseeing the delivery of their induction and ongoing training.
13. Manage the deployment of the necessary processes to ensure compliance with the Senior Manager and Certification Regime and act as a subject matter expert on its requirements. Ensure that the relevant records are maintained, and all the necessary notifications required by the FCA are provided in a timely and efficient manner.
14. To ensure that the Openwork Group maintains the necessary UK statutory company records and where necessary, filings are made in a timely manner.
15. Develop and maintain a Group Internal Governance Framework.
16. Responsibility for the Openwork Group Board Conflicts of Interest Registers and updating of the Group Conflicts of Interest Policy.
17. Ownership of the Openwork Board Evaluation Policy and co-ordinate the delivery of Board Evaluation Exercises as appropriate across the Openwork Group.
18. Take the lead in the relationship with the Group’s Corporate Company Secretary and oversee the efficient delivery of their service.
19. Preparing minutes of meetings of the OHL Board and OHL Board Committees and other key subsidiary companies within the Openwork Group as required.
20. Ensuring that processes are in place to deliver effective subsidiary company corporate governance.
21. Oversee the delivery of the schedule of meetings throughout the Openwork Group as constructed by the Assistant Company Secretary.
What will you need to succeed?
Qualifications/Experience:
22. Degree level or equivalent business-related qualification.
23. ICSA qualified desirable.
24. Experience of operating within a group of companies structure preferable.
25. Experience of working in financial services, or another regulated industry.
26. Experience of supporting committees/boards and taking minutes.
Knowledge:
27. A detailed knowledge of relevant corporate governance regulation and guidance.
28. Expertise in the provisions of Companies Act, UK Listing Rules and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
29. A detailed knowledge of the requirements for filing records at Companies House.
30. A detailed knowledge of FCA principles of business.
31. Extensive knowledge of the FCA Handbook.
32. Subject matter expertise of the FCA Senior Manager & Certification Regime.
33. A good understanding of the financial services industry.
Skills and Competencies:
34. Keeps abreast of legislation, professional and technical change, understands implications, and shares this effectively with others.
35. Maturity and presence to deal with senior management and sensitive issues.
36. Applies expert knowledge appropriately for the benefit of the business.
37. High levels of communication, influencing & negotiation skills.
38. Objective independent thought, prepared to ask challenging questions.
39. Very high levels of integrity and discretion.
40. Provides clear, pragmatic advice.
41. Able to effectively assess priorities and deadlines and perform under pressure.
42. Strong problem-solving skills.
43. Self-confidence, motivation and the ability to work autonomously.
44. High levels of attention to detail and numeracy.
Why us?
We're a dynamic, fast paced, and growing business with huge ambition. This is all made possible by the brilliant people who are part of The Openwork Partnership family. We're investing heavily in our colleagues, continuously striving to give them the platform to develop personally and professionally and reach their full potential.
We’re also very proud of our culture, as one of the Best 100 Large Companies to work for in 2022. The Openwork Partnership values, and respects individuality and we are committed to building an inclusive culture and environment which truly recognises and celebrates our colleague’s individual differences and identities – just like our financial advice, for us, it’s personal. We believe everyone can make a difference and your race, religion, disability, and gender will never be a barrier. At Openwork, we have a strong ethic of care for each other where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will bring your best self to work if you are trusted to choose when, where and how you do it.