Deputy Company Secretary

Job description

Deputy Company Secretary

KPMG is part of a global network of firms that offers Audit, Tax, Pensions, Legal, Consulting, Deal Advisory and Technology services. Through the talent of over 16,000 colleagues, we bring our creativity and insight to our clients' most critical challenges.

With offices across the UK, we work with everyone from small start-ups and individuals to major multinationals, in virtually every industry imaginable. Our work is often complex, yet our vision is simple: to be the clear choice for our clients, for our people and for the communities we work in.

Function Information

The Governance Function comprises a small team aligned to the Office of General Counsel which supports the Chair, Board and Executive Committee) at Canary Wharf with responsibility for the management of the governance and meetings infrastructure supporting the Board (and its committees) and the Executive (and its committees). The role involves working closely with Executive leadership, Chair, Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel, Board members, Committee Chairs and Independent Non-Executives.

The main purpose of the role is to provide end to end meeting support for the UK Board and Board Committees as well as acting as the main Business Lead on all system of quality management controls. There is also an expectation that this role would cover other Executive and Board Committees as and when needed. This role reports into the Group Head of Governance and Legal Counsel. This is a Senior Manager level role.

Specific Responsibilities

support the Group Head of Governance at a number of the main KPMG Boards, as well as acting as Secretary to the UK Board and other Board committees (including the Group Audit and Risk Committee;Providing end to end meeting support, including preparing agendas, following up on action points, drafting accurate and timely minutes and reviewing and updating annual plans;support the Group Head of Governance and Executive Lead to the INEs and ANEs in governance matters relating to KPMG UK's Independent Non Executives and Audit Non-Executives;support the Group Head of Governance as the named Business Lead on all System of Quality Management Governance Controls which includes:Oversee root cause analysis and design of remediation plans (including target dates and success measures), working alongside control owners where necessary to ensure plans are achievable and capable of remediating the relevant finding/deficiency on a timely basis.Monitor status of actions in KIM to ensure action plans are being delivered on time, paying particular attention to findings with no action plans, changes in target dates and overdue actions. Ensure KIM is being regularly updated by finding/control owners and provides an accurate view of remediation status. Follow up with finding/control owners as required and escalate any significant issues via Partner Sponsor and/or SoQM Delivery Group Where relevant, and with input from finding owners, maintain SoQM deficiency and CT SCF deficiency logs - providing updates to COFO risk and controls lead and Exco sponsor on a bi-monthly basisEstablish processes to ensure that control owners (or their delegates) are -Maintaining accurate DCDs, identifying changes on a timely basis and notifying the SoQM team where updates are neededRetaining adequate documentation to evidence the operation of their controls which meet the expectations of CAP team; andProviding confirmations and key control attestations on a timely basis (as required)Monitor status of DCDs in their area to ensure changes are being made promptly and new controls are being implemented on a timely basisAct as the first point of escalation for any issues relating to the design, operation, testing or remediation of SoQM controlsAttend the monthly SoQM Delivery Group meeting to share good practice and provide update on the operation (or failure) of relevant SoQM controls in their areaCascade and amplify messaging and comms distributed by 1st line central, SOQM SME and CAP teamsInput into needs assessment for training and technical updates for SoQM component owners, process owners, control owners and operatorsUnderstanding the CAP team testing timetable relevant to their area, and ensuring that control owners/operators understand and can deliver to the requirement timetables and understand and can deliver the required level and quality of documentation
Work with SoQM, CAP teams and control owners to provide assistance in resolving delays in either remediation, implementation or delivery of relevant elements of firm wide controls or delays in receiving information for testingUnderstand the key requirements of SoQM for their capability/component, the interaction of controls relating to relevant processes and how these mitigate identified process risk pointsUnderstand relevant process risk maps and associated process narratives, including which SoQM controls are owned and/or operated by their teamsIdentify and build relationships with key stakeholders with SoQM responsibilities in their area (component owners, process owners, control owners, operators and their delegatesImplement process (designed by 1st line central team) for the review and update of process risk maps and narratives on a cyclical basis. Business Lead to identify risk maps for review/update, facilitate updates ( through workshops) and ensure SoQM SME is included to review changes from a technical perspectiveProvide input into, and review output of the quarterly UK iRAP, including review of proposed source materials and new controls prior to recommendation to Risk/Ops exec for approvalWork with SoQM Team, other Business Leads (as necessary) and Control Owners to design new controls identified through the UK and/or Global iRAP process, ensuring they are implemented on a timely basisprovide line management, including oversight, guidance, coaching and mentoring;Providing effective and seamless cover for the other members of the Governance team during periods of annual leave;provide oversight of the company secretarial compliance obligations for the KPMG UK subsidiaries; andhave other responsibilities, including leading on various governance projects, including drafting sections of the firm's Transparency Report, updating and amending terms of reference and providing formal governance advice.
Essential skills and experience

We are seeking an experienced and proactive company secretarial governance professional, who is keen to develop their career, governance knowledge, skills and experience in a regulated business environment. They are likely to have 8+ years relevant experience and will possess the following skills and experience:

ACG/FCG qualified or qualified solicitor with relevant experiencean extensive knowledge of company secretarial practice and its application;experience of interpreting and applying governance codes;extensive board level experience, having attended and managed Board and Committee meetings in a sophisticated business environment;strong written communication skills, including the ability to draft high quality formal minutes (informed by good judgement and governance best practice) with excellent attention to detail and produced to tight deadlines;excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to build effective relationships and develop respect, trust and credibility at all levels, including with senior stakeholders;project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage stakeholder expectations and take a proactive approach to forward planning;line management experience, including providing oversight, guidance, coaching and mentoring; and Proficiency in technology, specifically Microsoft teams

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