Company Secretary

We are seeking to recruit a passionate, knowledgeable and dynamic Company Secretary to join our established Corporate Governance team, reporting to the Chief of Staff. As Company Secretary, you will be responsible for supporting the Board and Council of Governors in meeting their obligations to ensure that the Foundation Trust is adequately prepared to comply, and can secure ongoing compliance, with the legislative and regulatory framework.

The company secretary will support the chair and advise the board [and council of governors via the chair], where appropriate the chief executive on matters of governance.

**Key responsibilities of the Company Secretary include**:

- Corporate Governance
- Support to the Board of Directors and Council of Governors
- Governors and Membership
- Legal & Regulatory Compliance
- Non-Clinical Legal Services Contracts

We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.

**Working in Sussex**:

- Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there’s always new experiences to be enjoyed
- Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
- With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure

We’d love you to join our organisation that is rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

**Other key staff survey results include**:

- 70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work
- 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team
- 77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles

See the attached ‘Partnership Perks’ document for details about our benefits package.

In order to be a successful Company Secretary in our team you will:

- Hold a Masters Degree in related field or Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators qualification or Legal qualification
- Be able to evidence expert knowledge of corporate governance procedures and relevant legislation and the role of the company secretary
- Have extensive people management experience, including the ability to guide and facilitate experienced directors, influencing through persuasive negotiating skills
- Demonstrate an understanding of the environment in which the trust works, its role in serving the public and patients and its governance structure

**It would also be advantageous if you are**:

- An Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

This is a full time role (37.5 hours per week), with an expectation of travel across Trust sites, where necessary.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.