Assistant Secretary – Media Sector

Our client, a high-profile global media organisation, is looking for an Assistant Secretary to join their team of 5 professionals on a full-time permanent basis.  You will be part of a highly respected team that sits at the heart of the business, collaborating with a broad range of knowledgeable and supportive colleagues across the organisation. You will also have the support from a Company Secretary who will prioritise your development, is focused on high quality delivery, and will coach you to be the best that you can be.

This role would suit a qualified company secretary, ideally someone who is already ACG, (or otherwise ACG eligible and with that process planned/underway) with experience gained in a corporate centre environment. You should have sound technical company secretarial experience to offer, combined with excellent interpersonal/social skills, as this is a highly visible role. There will be much interaction with the CEO/Chair/Senior Execs. The successful candidate will have a “technology first” approach – someone who thinks that way first, not just familiar with Diligent Entities and Diligent Boards, but also AI – Copilot/ChatGPT are in regular use by the team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Be appointed as (named) company secretary for an allocated portfolio of subsidiaries. Take ownership of their governance requirements and provide clear, practical advice to directors and colleagues.
• Lead statutory accounts delivery for your portfolio of subsidiary companies, working with Finance, Tax, auditors and directors. Set milestones, undertake company secretarial review, resolve queries, arrange director approval and ensure accounts are filed at Companies House by the agreed project deadlines, which are set ahead of the applicable statutory deadlines. Lead the wider annual statutory accounts project when asked, managing the timetable, contributors and deliverables across the team.
• Retain accountability for the delivery of your work even when individual tasks have been allocated to other colleagues. Monitor dependencies, follow up outstanding work and resolve or escalate risks early, with recommendations for keeping delivery on track.
• Own governance processes for allocated boards and committees, including the Commercial Board, Executive Team and their committees, as required. Plan agendas with chairs, coordinate papers, attend meetings, draft accurate and concise minutes, track actions and deliver reports to oversight bodies within agreed timetables.
• Advise on delegated authorities and approval routes. Draft, review and arrange execution of company documents, resolutions, forms and applications, observing relevant local requirements.
• Ensure timely statutory compliance for allocated UK and/or overseas companies. Contribute to oversight and improvement of the global compliance framework, coordinating local advisers and raising gaps or risks.
• Maintain accurate company records in Diligent Entities and relevant corporate registers, including powers of attorney, guarantees, authorised signatories, representatives and charges. Work with the Governance Manager to maintain reliable information and evidence of approvals.
• Lead assigned incorporations and company closures, and deliver governance work for transactions and corporate structure simplification. Review transaction completion documents and ensure resulting records and filings are addressed.
• Partner with Finance and Treasury on corporate approvals for banking arrangements. Build relationships with Legal, Tax and other specialists to progress matters with appropriate advice and approvals.
• Build purposeful relationships with subsidiary leaders, including visits to subsidiaries not based at the head office. Understand their businesses, anticipate governance implications and become an accessible first point of contact.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• A chartered governance professional with relevant company secretarial experience
• Good knowledge of statutory obligations required by the UK Companies Act.
• Understanding of the statutory accounts process.
• Experience of project management and good project management skills.
• Attention to detail, with strong analytical and communication skills.
• Familiar with using Board portals (e.g. Diligent Boards) and Compliance software (e.g. Diligent Entities).
• Strong knowledge of company law, statutory accounts and compliance;
• Strong analysis, drafting, planning and project delivery skills & using board portals and entity management systems