Company Secretary

• Corporate Company Secretary with International Professional Body


• Edinburgh based with Hybrid/ Home-Working


• Competitive Salary + Benefits Package

Leading professional body is looking to hire a Corporate Company Secretary to join their in-house legal team. This role will be based in Edinburgh with hybrid-working also on offer.

Role Profile:

• You will lead the delivery of the corporate secretary function of the organisation in the UK and internationally. This role is responsible for ensuring that the organisation maintains high standards of governance and that Council, the Board and other designated key Committees are supported in a way as to enable their effectiveness in delivering the Royal Charter objectives.


• Ensure that the Corporate Secretariat team is a key point of connection and communication between the elected, appointed, and executive leadership and other stakeholders.


• Responsible and accountable for the development, implementation and maintenance of a suitable corporate governance framework which supports the governance structure, in particular the relationship (flow of information/reporting/ accountability) between the Board and Council.


• Develop excellent working relationships with the Chair of the Board and President of Council.


• Directly responsible for the provision of corporate secretariat support to Council and Council committees, with oversight of the provision of corporate secretariat support to the Board and Board committees by the Deputy Corporate Secretary- This role should act as an exemplar of good practice for governance and secretariat service and be available to mentor and advise throughout the organisation as required.


• Responsible for the delivery of successful General Meetings and elections, ensuring the integrity of all relevant processes. Responsible for promoting and sustaining good corporate governance practice and acting as gate-keeper in relation to organisational compliance matters.


• You will be part of the General Counsel Group, with administrative resource to support workload.


• Deliver a full secretariat service to Council, Board, and agreed key committees (e.g., Audit and Risk Committee, Appointments Committees).


• To give day to day direct priority to supporting Council and Council committees, including attendance at Council meetings/Council committee meetings and lead in supporting the President in preparing for Council meetings. To oversee the delivery of secretariat service to the Board and agreed key Board committees.


• Managing relationships with the President, and Chairs of agreed key Council Committees, the Board Chair and Chairs of agreed Board Committees.


• Maintain the budget for key governance activity and responsibilities. Governance lead for organisation with c160 staff, and over 32,000 members in over 100 countries.


• Maintain the organisation’s key governing documents and corresponding manuals/procedures and lead on regular review of such documentation, ensuring, through collaboration with appropriate senior stakeholders, that these key documents support good governance practice and the delivery of objectives. You will be a gatekeeper of organisational compliance matters, e.g. compliance with governance framework, processes and procedures and also more broadly in relation to anti-bribery, modern slavery, sanctions and other related compliance matters. Liaison with the oversight body on corporate governance and play a leading role in the governance review project currently underway.


• The role requires regular travel (including possible overnight stays), particularly to attend in-person meetings (most frequently taking place in London).

Principal accountabilities:

• Advising and supporting the Chairs of the Board, Council, and key Committees on their governance responsibilities, levels of authority and areas of oversight in line with policy and general best practice.


• Updating and promulgating clear and understandable rules, regulations, governance manuals and authorities to ensure the compliance with best governance practice, in addition to its legal and statutory requirements.


• Leading, identifying and delivering opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of governance functions. Leading on devising and delivering Council and Board induction and training programmes.


• Proactively engaging the Chair of Council in organising, recommending and preparing agendas for and producing appropriate minutes of bodies where a full secretariat service is provided.


• Overseeing that the same service is provided to the Board.


• Ensuring decisions and required actions made in Council, Board and Committee meetings are communicated to the relevant staff and stakeholders and that subsequent actions are pursued and reported back. Maintaining registers of interests of Council members, Board Chair and Directors, Executive Directors, and key Committees Chairs and members.


• Dealing with correspondence, collating information and writing reports as required.


• Contributing to meeting discussions as and when required, and advising on the governance implications of proposed policies/decisions.


• Keeping informed of changes in relevant legislation and the regulatory environment and recommending appropriate action.


• Ensuring Board, Council, and Committee members, plus Executive staff and volunteers, are aware of governance requirements and are suitably inducted / trained on their appointment and kept abreast of requirements throughout their tenure.


• Building strong internal relationships and supporting and ensure implementation of governance rules.


• Oversight of Deputy Corporate Secretary and any external agency support from time to time.

Candidate Requirements:

• Qualification as a Solicitor or Chartered Secretary.


• Prior company secretary experience within a corporate environment.


• Good relationship skills – engaging and approachable while remaining able to “get things done”.


• Experience working with Boards.


• Understanding of best practice in governance. Excellent communication skills.

On Offer:

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package.

To Apply:

For a confidential discussion about this position or to apply, please click on the Apply Button.