Company Secretarial Assistant

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

The Company Secretariat team are essential in safeguarding Cancer Research UK. This strong-performing and respected team play a leading role in ensuring the charity is compliant with the Charity Commission and UK regulations.

As a Company Secretarial Assistant, your purpose will be to collaborate with the Company Secretariat team to support Cancer Research UK’s Trustees, CEO, Executive team, General Counsel & Company Secretary in delivering an effective and efficient approach to the charity’s governance.

You will gain exposure to and support the Council and its Committees, internal boards, senior leaders across the organisation, and where appropriate the Executive team.

You will have a valuable impact on the charity by strengthening the Company Secretariat’s governance processes and systems ensuring they are fit for the future in line with best practices, ultimately contributing to the smooth running of the function and both Cancer Research UK’s operational management and success.

If you have experience in Board / Committee administration with a demonstrable understanding of what good governance looks like, we would love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

Collaborating with the CEO, General Counsel & Company Secretary, Deputy Company Secretary other members of the Company Secretariat team to strengthen the foundations of the Company Secretariat function at Cancer Research UK, including but not limited to :

Providing Secretariat support to some of the Council’s Committees and other Secretariat meetings :

This includes making logistical arrangements for meetings, writing Committee Chair briefings, attending meetings, drafting minutes and actions for approval by the Committee Chair, and liaising with meeting members and senior stakeholders on all aspects of Committee business.

Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Company Secretariat activities and processes by creating and / or reviewing standard templates, policies, standard operating procedures and checklists, and technology (including the use of AI).

Supporting submissions of Cancer Research UK’s annual report and accounts, and annual related processes (e.g. declarations of interest).

Supporting the ongoing management of the charity’s organisational policies, requirements, and guidance.

Supporting the Deputy Company Secretary and collaborating with the Legal team to review Cancer Research UK’s group structure aiming to rationalise and consolidate where appropriate.

Supporting the Company Secretariat team in organising and delivering internal and external facing activities relating to the Council and its Committees.

Streamlining the Company Secretariat’s filing system and historical data ensuring to consolidate into up-to-date sources of information and comprehensive working registers.

Providing input into other projects or initiatives when required.

Supporting the Deputy Company Secretary in maintaining the charity’s registers and records of charitable corporate and fundraising registrations.

This includes supporting in maintaining compliance with statutory reporting and filing requirements in relevant jurisdictions for the group entities and subsidiaries.

What are you looking for?

Significant experience in Board / Committee administration (including minute-taking and supporting Board and Committee members).

Proven knowledge of governance requirements and best practices with a strong understanding of what good governance looks like.

For example, annual reporting & accounts, disclosures, regulators & commissions (e.g. the charity commission), legal compliance, and policy.

Strong planning, prioritisation, and organisational skills with a background in managing a complex and diverse workload while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

Built relationships at all levels (including senior leaders) using a diplomatic and confidential approach with effective communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.

Comfortable and efficient using Microsoft Office (including SharePoint, MS Teams, and managing hybrid meetings).

Ideally, CGI UK qualified (Chartered Governance Institute- formerly ICSA Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators) or equivalent.

This is desirable, meaning we welcome applicants without this qualification.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold : Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible : Act with rigour and professionalism

Human : Act to have a positive impact on people

Together : Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools.

Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

Additional information

If you want to know more about this role, here is a full job description. Please note this is a generalist profile used for internal & external purposes meaning we don’t expect candidates to meet all the criteria included (we will be shortlisting based on the criteria advertised).