Corporate Governance Officer/ Secretariat Officer

Join Police Digital Service as Corporate Governance/Secretariat Officer

**About Police Digital Service**

We exist to harness the power of digital, data and technology to enable UK policing to better protect the communities it serves. Ours is a team of experts in commercial services, technical assurance, data, digital transformation and innovation, with a unique experience in policing and national programme delivery.

**The Post holder will**:

- Support the Company Secretary to advise the Board and Committees on Corporate Governance principles and the implementation of police and governance programs and risk management frameworks.
- Manage compliance with statutory requirements and support the company’s status as a legal corporate entity.
- Support the Company Secretary in the management of the day-to-day administration of the company e.g. maintaining statutory books, including registers of Members, directors and secretaries and registration on Companies House.
- Schedule, organise and provide professional support to the PDS Board and its committees (including the Audit and Risk Committee, the Nominations and Remuneration Committee) and any future Boards/Committees to facilitate the proper governance of the company.
- Prepare agendas and background papers in accordance with the published timetable and in the company style and distribute in a timely manner to senior internal and external stakeholders to ensure that meeting attendees are adequately briefed on complex PDS matters.
- Prepare accurate minutes of meetings within an agreed timeframe ensuring that all actions are captured, logged and progress chased to completion, to establish the audit trail of decision making for each meeting.
- Develop and maintain a complete and accurate record of all decisions taken within meetings to ensure an accurate record.
- Act as the initial point of contact for Board and Committee meetings, address queries, review and confirm agenda items, provide information, advice and guidance to support the company’s governance processes.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date and accessible files and archives for the company’s statutory records and other governance related documents to ensure compliance with company law, information security, data protection and Freedom of Information principles.
- Arrange, facilitate and participate in induction for Board and Committee members, and facilitate training to advise them of the proper exercise of their responsibilities in line with Company Law, relevant regulations, Committee terms of reference and agreed company policies and procedures.
- Ensure the security of information and that company information assets, systems and infrastructure are protected appropriately.
- Carry out the role in a responsible, professional and security-aware way.

**What you need to succeed in the role**
- The ability to write concise, accurate and practical documents and have the ability to communicate their content to the staff of the company.
- Pro-active, self-starter capable of managing own workload and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders across the business as needed.
- Excellent attention to detail and a keen interest and ability to conduct research and develop sensible proposals using knowledge gained.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to work flexibly in response to changing demands.
- Experience of developing strong working relationships with senior internal and external customers, establishing and maintaining positive working relationships and removing unnecessary barriers to service delivery.
- Proven experience of taking clear, concise and accurate minutes at Board and/or senior management level meetings.
- Proven experience in exercising a high degree of discretion and initiative, tact and diplomacy in handling sensitive, personal and confidential matters.
- Experience of providing support to senior executive and non-executive full
- and part-time Directors, including those who have other external roles and responsibilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with customer-focused attitude and telephone manner
- An understanding of corporate governance in the public, private or third sector
- Excellent standard of planning and organising ability
- Ability to remain calm whilst working under pressure and unsupervised, prioritising conflicting demands to meet deadlines and maintaining a high standard of work
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team

**Why Join us?**
- Balance is important and we want you to take time off to recharge - so we offer 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years of service.
- We care about your well-being - we have an employee assistance programme that offers not just welfare benefits and counselling at the end of a telephone line but also discounts.
- We want to help you plan for the future - so we offer an excellent pension scheme and life assurance cover