Assistant Company Secretary

As the Assistant Company Secretary, you will support the Deputy Company Secretary in providing the full range of company secretarial & governance services to the Openwork Group. You will also focus on the ongoing management of the Openwork Group’s UK subsidiary companies (including regulated companies), providing advice to directors, meeting support, drafting minutes and ensuring statutory records are maintained.

You will support the Deputy Company Secretary in the delivery of a robust corporate governance framework. To ensure that all board and committee meetings are conducted in a compliant fashion and in a timely manner. To assist in maintaining up to date records at Companies House and at the FCA alongside other public access records.

This is a fantastic opportunity for somebody looking to progress their career within company secretariat, with plenty of scope and opportunity to develop into the role.

This is a hybrid role based in our Swindon office, with 2 days a week required in the office.

The benefits

• Salary - £50,000 - £65,000
• Bonus scheme - on target bonus – 10%
• Pension scheme - contribute up to 5% of your salary and Openwork will match you and put in an extra 5%.
• Critical illness cover.
• Income protection - 1x salary.
• Death in service - 4x salary.
• 27 days holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 10 days. 
• A range of other flexible benefits to include private medical insurance, dental insurance and much more.

Your responsibilities will include:

• To assist the Deputy Company Secretary with the efficient organisation and effective delivery of the meetings of all boards of directors, committees of the boards of Directors and all other committees of senior management.
• To own the schedule of meetings of all boards of directors, committees of the boards of Directors and all other committees of senior management and to ensure that all members and attendees are informed of the dates and times.
• With the Deputy Company Secretary, ensure compliance with the Senior Manager and Certification Regime and liaise with the relevant teams regarding regulatory approvals for board members and executive directors.
• Co-ordinate the training and induction of new directors, non-executive directors and those individuals conducting Senior Management Functions.
• To maintain UK statutory company records, making filings to Companies House ensuring all information held is correct and filings are made in a timely manner.
• To operate the day-to-day interaction with the Openwork Group’s registrar.
• Maintaining Company Secretariat records using both physical and electronic filing systems.
• Preparing minutes of subsidiary company board and committee meetings as required.
• Management of the collation, production and distribution of subsidiary board and management committee papers in electronic form.
• Primary involvement with the approval and filing of the subsidiary company Annual Report and Accounts.
• To ensure that the terms of reference for all boards of directors, committees of the boards of directors and all other committees of senior management are up to date, compliant and fit for purpose.
• To oversee the maintenance and updating of the Openwork Group corporate structure charts and diagrams.

• ICSA qualified or part qualified desirable.
• Experience of operating within a group of company’s structure preferable.
• Experience of supporting committees/boards and taking minutes.
• A detailed knowledge of relevant corporate governance regulation and guidance.
• Knowledge of Companies Act, UK Listing Rules, and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
• A detailed knowledge of the requirements for filing records at Companies House.
• Keeps abreast of legislation, professional and technical change, understands implications, and shares this effectively with others.
• Maturity and presence to deal with senior management and sensitive issues.
• High levels of communication, influencing & negotiation skills.
• Objective independent thought, prepared to ask challenging questions.
• Very high levels of integrity and discretion.
• Provides clear, pragmatic advice.
• Able to effectively assess priorities and deadlines and perform under pressure.
• Self -confidence, motivation, and the ability to work autonomously.

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.