Governance Manager / Company Secretarial Assistant
Milton Keynes | Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 from home)
Board-facing governance role | Occasional travel for board meeting
Reporting to: Legal Director / Company Secretary
About the Company
My client is a purpose-driven, industry-backed organisation delivering a national infrastructure programme with significant environmental impact. Operating across multiple UK regions, they are building robust governance and operational frameworks as they scale towards a major public launch milestone and beyond.
This is an opportunity to join a growing legal function where you'll work closely with senior leadership and Board members to support effective governance, decision-making and regulatory compliance.
The Role
As Governance Manager, you will play a key role supporting the effective operation of the Board and its sub-committees, helping to ensure strong governance, sound decision-making and statutory compliance.
Working closely with the Legal Director & Company Secretary, Board members and Committee Chairs, you will coordinate Board and Committee activity, prepare high-quality papers, track actions and maintain governance frameworks. This role would suit someone highly organised who enjoys working closely with senior stakeholders and acting as a trusted governance partner within an organisation.
This role offers strong exposure to Board and Committee activity and would suit someone looking to further develop their company secretarial or governance career.
Key Responsibilities & Priorities
* Support the effective operation of the Board and its Sub-Committees, ensuring meetings are well organised, professionally run, and aligned to governance best practice
* Coordinate the preparation and distribution of Board and Committee papers, ensuring accuracy, quality, and timely delivery
* Produce clear and accurate minutes and maintain statutory records in line with regulatory requirements
* Manage the governance calendar, including annual cycles, meeting schedules, and forward planning activities
* Track Board and Committee actions, proactively following up to support timely completion
* Support statutory compliance requirements, including Companies House filings and the maintenance of corporate records
* Maintain governance documentation including Terms of Reference, delegated authorities, and Board processes, ensuring they remain up to date and fit for purpose
* Support governance reporting from Sub-Committees to the Board, helping to ensure clear oversight and accountability
* Apply and interpret Terms of Reference to ensure governance processes are followed consistently
* Coordinate key governance policies including conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, and whistleblowing frameworks
* Maintain the corporate policy framework and policy register, supporting regular review cycles and continuous improvement
About You
Essential experience and knowledge
* Previous experience in a company secretarial or corporate governance role (such as Governance Officer, Governance Manager, or Company Secretarial Assistant)
* Strong exposure to supporting Boards and Committees, including preparing papers, minute taking, and action tracking
* Proven ability to maintain governance records, statutory registers, and corporate documentation
* Good understanding of core corporate governance principles and statutory compliance requirements
* Experience coordinating governance calendars and supporting governance processes across multiple committees
* Familiarity with Companies House filings or working alongside external advisers on statutory compliance
* Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information and support senior stakeholders
* Regular involvement in Board and Committee meetings and senior governance forums
* Proficient in Microsoft 365, including SharePoint, with experience maintaining documentation and records within shared repositories
Desirable
* Part-qualified CGI (GradCGI) or working toward a governance or company secretarial qualification
* Exposure to policy frameworks or corporate governance policies
* Experience working in a regulated, public interest, or purpose-led organisation
Skills and behaviours
* High level of integrity and discretion, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
* Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
* Ability to build credibility and confidence with senior stakeholders, including Board members
* Comfortable handling queries from Directors and senior leaders in a professional and confident manner
* Strong written communication skills, particularly in minute taking and governance documentation
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a structured environment
* Proactive and reliable, with a strong sense of ownership for governance processes
Interview Process
Interview process may include:
* Initial screening call
* Hiring Manager Interview: Experience deep dive via Teams
* On-site Interview: Meet the team
* Leadership Interview: Final remote conversation
* Offer stage
(Process may vary slightly depending on availability and scheduling.)
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to join a mission-led organisation delivering a nationally significant programme, where you can play a central role in ensuring governance frameworks support organisational growth and accountability.
Package includes:
* Competitive base salary
* Bonus scheme
* Holiday: 34 days inclusive of bank holidays. Additional holidays for length of service
* Flexible bank holidays - giving you the freedom to celebrate the days that matter most to you
* Hybrid Working: 60% office or field-based and 40% home-based, with some flexibility according to business and personal needs
* Pension: 5% employer contribution. If you increase your contribution, the company will match up to 10%
* Bike to work scheme and car salary sacrifice scheme
* Private Medical Insurance
* Life Insurance
* Income protection
* Family Leave: Equal and progressive parental leave policy
* Additional paid leave for various life situations