Company Secretary

Post Title:
Company Secretary

Contract Type:
12 Month Fixed-Term

Workplace:
Preston/London

Reporting to:
 Group Head of Legal

Working Pattern:
 Flexible. Part-Time

"The EFL is about two things – great football competitions and supporting communities 365 days a year".

The EFL is looking for a professional and organised 
Company Secretary
 to work within our Governance and Legal Team. The role will focus on supporting the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team by managing governance frameworks, facilitating effective communication, and maintaining accurate corporate records in accordance with all legal and regulatory obligations. The role will work across both the EFL and our charitable arm, EFL in the Community.

More information is available in the downloadable Candidate Brief that is attached to this advert.

JOB PURPOSE

This Company Secretary will support the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team by managing governance frameworks, facilitating effective communication, and maintaining accurate corporate records in accordance with all legal and regulatory obligations.

The role will sit within the Governance and Legal team of the EFL, report into the Group Head of Legal and work across both the EFL and our charitable arm, EFL in the Community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

• Attend EFL Group Board and Committee meetings, supporting agenda finalisation and minute-taking. This includes meetings of EFL Group companies, relevant committees, and club forums as required by the Executive Leadership Team
• Ensure compliance of the EFL Group with corporate governance codes and best practices
• Advise the EFL Group Boards and other committees on governance matters and corporate governance regulatory changes

LEGAL & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Monitor and ensure compliance of the EFL Group with relevant laws (including but not limited to the Companies Act) and other statutory requirements, together with EFL and other stakeholder regulatory and corporate governance requirements
• Liaise with internal (and, where required, external)  legal counsel on corporate governance and related compliance issues
• Oversee the filing of statutory documents and reports with Companies House and other regulatory bodies on behalf of EFL Group corporate bodies

BOARD & EXECUTIVE SUPPORT

• Liaise between the Board and executive management teams of the respective EFL Group companies
• Support onboarding and training of new Board members
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity in all Board communications

RECORDS & DOCUMENTATION

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of Board resolutions, minutes, and statutory registers across the EFL Group
• Manage the EFL Group's other legal documentation related to corporate governance and compliance, and make all required legislative and regulatory filings

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS

• Assist the EFL Business Operations Team, where required, in relation to communication with member clubs, shareholders, and external partners
• Coordinate key shareholder events including but not limited to the EFL Group companies Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings
• Collaborate with the EFL Business Operations Team to the develop and implement risk management and related policies across the EFL Group, specifically in relation to corporate governance matters
• Ensure governance frameworks are aligned with risk mitigation strategies

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING

• Proven competence in a governance or related legal role, ideally within a regulated industry
• Strong understanding of UK corporate law
• Strong grasp of UK company law
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection , anti-money laundering and other compliance frameworks
• Understanding of public perception and media scrutiny in high-profile decisions
• Able to think and act with integrity and impartiality

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Qualified Company Secretary (e.g., ICSA/CGI), current or previous qualified solicitor, legal executive or similar, or equivalent legal/governance qualifications
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft 365 applications
• Strong attention to detail and proactive approach
• Ability to understand and compile detailed records of complex discussions
• Excellent relationship management skills – able to bring people together and understand all viewpoints

ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to work under pressure and manage sensitive information
• Extremely organised – able to organise themselves and others in a fast paced and pressurised environment

• Lead by example by contributing to promoting the principles of the EFL:

• Everybody Working Together
   - We are one team supporting each other and collaborating on our shared goals

• Fairness & Equality
• Being consistent and inclusive for everyone - showing respect
• Listening & Learning
   - Communicating with trust and honesty - growing as individuals and enabling others to do so too

INTRODUCTION TO THE EFL and EFITC

The English Football League (EFL) is the highest attended football league, and largest single body of professional clubs in Europe.

It is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Sky Bet Play-Offs, Carabao Cup and Vertu Trophy competitions, plus youth and reserve team football.

A vital part of sporting life, both in the UK and across the globe, the EFL operates some of the world's most competitive, popular and successful football competitions, acting as part of the fabric of life for millions of fans and families.

EFL Clubs are truly embedded in the hearts of their 72 local communities, spanning the breadth and depth of England and Wales. Away from the match-day, Clubs and Club Community Organisations interact seven days a week, 365 days a year, making a positive contribution to the communities in which they serve.

EFL in the Community is the charitable arm of the EFL (English Football League).

EFL in the Community (formerly the EFL Trust) was established in 2008 to support the ground-breaking work of EFL Football Club charities.

This network of charities across England and Wales use the power of the Club badge to reach people who need help. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing; raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities.

Football Club charities engaged over 1.1 million participants last season and generated a total of £1.24 billion worth of social value across the full range of community initiatives and programmes.

OUR TEAM AT THE EFL

The EFL offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the biggest sporting competitions, clubs, commercial partnerships and media in the market. We look for the best people who approach their work with energy, excellence and commitment.

Our employees are crucial to our success and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are fundamental elements of building our team. Each of us has an array of qualifications, skills and life experiences.

If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this in your application.

The EFL reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive enough applications.