Job Description
Are you an organised, detail-focused professional with a passion for good governance and high-quality decision-making? Were looking for a Governance Officer to join our team and play a key role in supporting effective leadership, transparency, and compliance across the organisation.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the leading voice of 5.7 million small businesses and the self-employed across the UK. Since 1974, we've supported people to start, run and grow their own business.With market-leading benefits, local support, financial expertise, networking events and more, we provide our members with all the tools they need to succeed in business. Were also the UKs leading business campaigner, focused on delivering change on issues that matter most. With teams across the UK, we work with governments and decision-makers to make real change happen.
About the Role
As a Governance Officer, you will be central to ensuring our governance arrangements run smoothly and efficiently. You will organise meetings, support Board and Committee members, prepare and distribute high-quality papers, and maintain accurate records. Youll also help promote best practice, compliance, and continuous improvement in governance processes across FSBs Board, Committees and Scrutiny Body.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide high-quality company secretarial, governance, and compliance support, ensuring all processes align with statutory and organisational requirements.
* Deliver comprehensive administrative support across a wide range of tasks, often working to tight deadlines and managing multiple priorities effectively.
* Coordinate and support Board, Committee, and senior leadership meetings, including preparing agendas, collating papers, distributing documentation, and ensuring timely follow-up of actions.
* Take accurate, clear, and concise minutes at Committee and/or Board level, ensuring well-structured records that support effective decision-making and governance assurance.
* Provide professional, confidential support to Directors and senior management, acting as a trusted point of contact and ensuring they receive timely information and administrative assistance.
* Maintain robust electronic and paper-based governance records, registers, and filing systems, ensuring all documents are up-to-date, well organised, and compliant with regulatory requirements.
* Support the management of governance cycles, annual plans, statutory reporting deadlines, and compliance activities.
* Assist in developing and reviewing governance policies, procedures, and documentation to promote best practice and continuous improvement.
* Respond to governance and compliance queries from internal and external stakeholders in a professional and timely manner.
About You
Were looking for someone who is:
* Knowledge of, and a genuine interest in, corporate governance and company law, with the ability to apply this understanding in day-to-day practice.
* Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise a diverse and often competing workload while maintaining a structured and methodical approach.
* Comfortable working to tight and sometimes demanding deadlines, managing complex tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment and within a busy, small team.
* Strong relationship-building skills, with the confidence and professionalism to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
* A collaborative mindset, demonstrating a supportive, positive, and flexible approach to achieving shared goals and contributing to team success.
* A proactive and self-motivated approach, with strong attention to detail, a commitment to accuracy, and the ability to work independently when required.
Required Qualifications:
* GCSE Maths and English Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent
FSB is dedicated to helping small businesses survive through these difficult times, and we value our staff enough to provide highly competitive rates of pay, benefits, and internationally recognised qualifications. We believe your work life balance is important, so our working hours dont include weekend or evening work. We provide you with all the tools, skills and support to help our members every day, and help you develop your skills through teamwork and relationship building. We believe diversity is the key to success, and we encourage people from all walks of life and backgrounds to come and join us. Our inclusive environment allows all our employees to bring their whole selves to work.
In addition to a fulfilling career with FSB, youll also benefit from:
* 26 days holidays per year plus bank holidays with the option to buy 3 days with your Annual Flex Pot*
* Annual Flex Pot* to spend on benefits including additional pension, additional holidays, additional critical illness cover, additional life cover, cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
* Health cash plan* (Access to claim back numerous benefits, including towards dental treatment, optical, chiropody, physiotherapy, counselling, health and wellbeing)
* Critical illness and income protection insurance*
* Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
* Access to an employee assistance programme and mental health first aiders
* Group Personal Pension (GPP)
*Applicable on completion of probationary period and subject to terms
Additional Information
All applicants must be able to provide at interview stage their highest education certificates as listed on their CV and verification of their eligibility to work in the UK.
As an equal opportunities employer, FSB is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We believe there is a strong case for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda and aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace, where all employees can bring their whole self to work. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a range of backgrounds to apply and join FSB. Candidates with a disability who require reasonable adjustments should contact the HR department.
Applicants are advised to apply early. We reserve the right to close a vacancy prior to the closing date if a high number of applications are received. If you are successful and short listed for interview you will be contacted by email.
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