Company secretary and head of compliance jobs

About The Role

Join Our Award-Winning Team at Care South!

Role: Company Secretary & Data Protection Officer

Pay: £65,000 per annum plus car allowance and mileage

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week

Working Pattern: General working hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Occasional working from home with CEO approval

Location: Office based role, based at Care South’s head office in Poole

About the Role

Care South is seeking an exceptional Company Secretary & Data Protection Officer (DPO) to join our senior team at our Head Office in Poole.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, this critical senior hybrid position places you at the very heart of our strategic operations.

You will hold the keys to our corporate governance while simultaneously serving as our legally designated expert and strategic lead on all aspects of UK GDPR and information privacy.

This is not a standard administrative role; it is a high-visibility position for a resilient, diplomatic professional who thrives on variety and complexity. One day you will be advising the Board and ensuring compliance with Company and Charity law, and the next you will be championing "privacy by design" across the organisation, managing corporate risk frameworks, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

If you possess a flawless eye for detail, an executive presence, and a deep passion for both corporate compliance and data privacy, we want to hear from you.

You will be joining a leading not-for-profit charity providing high-quality Residential Care, Care at Home and Assisted Living services. Care South is one of the Top 20 care companies, as rated on carehome co uk, based on published reviews from residents and their family and friends, endorsing our strong reputation in providing high quality care.

About You

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience as a Company Secretary or Board Secretary within a corporate or charitable environment.

• Qualified Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland professional qualification or a legal qualification.

• A professional Data Protection/Privacy qualification (e.g., CIPP/E Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection) or equivalent deep experience.

• Strong knowledge of the Companies Act, Charities Act and UK GDPR frameworks.

Skills & Attributes

• Pragmatic, pro-active and “can do” attitude”.

• Executive presence - exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the diplomacy and tact required to advise Board members and Senior Executives.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Meticulous accuracy -utmost attention to detail regarding minutes, legal registers, and regulatory compliance timelines

• Resilience & pace - ability to handle complex workloads, maintain absolute confidentiality and discretion, and work under pressure using your own initiative.

• Tech Savvy - advanced proficiency in MS Office suite with a solid understanding of modern IT security frameworks.

• Understanding of and adherence to Care South’s HEART values of Honesty, Excellence, Approach, Respect and Teamwork.

Your Rewards and Benefits

At Care South, we really value all our staff, whatever the role. We offer a stimulating and incredibly rewarding career, and we celebrate our colleagues every year through the Care South Stars Awards.

As a not-for-profit charity and registered company limited by guarantee, our focus isn't on owners or shareholders - it's firmly on those in our care and those who care for them. We are continually looking for ways to enhance the reward and recognition of our amazing Care South team.

Our current benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary
• Car allowance
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Permanent ill-health insurance
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Allocated car parking space at head office
• Paid induction and ongoing training
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Blue Light Card and online retail discounts
• Free Enhanced DBS check
• Staff Association
• Annual Care South Stars Awards

What You Need to Know

• You must be aged 18 or over
• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check
• We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position
• A full UK driving licence 
• Own car with business insurance and regular travel across the Care South portfolio as and when required

Apply today and become part of something truly special!

Deadline for applications: Friday 4 September 2026
Interviews planned for week commencing: Monday 14 September 2026

We are looking for a person with an understanding of working with a values-driven team of people, in the charity or not-for-profit sector.

The person appointed will have an appreciation of the aims and values of the Sustain alliance and be excited by supporting our organisation in effective ways of working, whilst freeing up senior leaders and spokespeople to undertake influencing, communication, partnership development and fundraising activities.

The Operations and People Manager will help Sustain function effectively as an organisation and be a great place to work. This is a senior, trusted role working closely with the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Senior Management Team (SMT), line managers and Trustees to strengthen our people, operational and governance systems.

The post-holder will lead practical improvements in HR, people processes, line management standards, staff development, onboarding, offboarding, organisational culture and compliance. They will combine sound judgement, strong systems thinking and a people-centred approach, helping Sustain keep processes clear, proportionate and well-managed, while supporting colleagues to focus on effective delivery.

The mission of the Sustain alliance is to catalyse systemic change in the UK’s food and farming system – securing a healthy, fair, and sustainable future for all people, nature and a stable climate. Working in collaboration with our alliance members and others, we run a range of advocacy work, projects and campaigns to achieve permanent changes in policy and practice; and to engage more people, organisations and communities in being food system change-makers.

As with all senior roles at Sustain, the person appointed to this role will work mainly at the Sustain office in London during their probationary period, and thereafter at least half of working hours at our office, whilst benefiting from the flexibility offered to all colleagues. This is part of senior role-modelling of the creativity, support, engagement and well-being benefits that in-person working cultivates between colleagues. This will be managed in coordination with other senior colleagues to enable good in-person coverage and connectivity across the week and across common holiday periods.

Role and responsibilities
•Strengthen Sustain’s people, HR, operational and governance systems so that the charity works effectively, fairly and well.
•Help Sustain be a great place to work, with clear standards, supportive line management, good staff development and a positive, inclusive culture.
•Lead on high standards and practical improvements in recruitment; induction; probation; appraisals; people and HR processes; line management skills, knowledge and tools; staff consultation; and organisational policies and practices.
•Support senior leaders, line managers and Trustees with clear advice, reliable processes, good records and proportionate and effective risk management.
•Develop and maintain systems that are simple, useful and appropriate for Sustain’s size, values, resources and legal responsibilities
 

Tasks and responsibilities:

Organisational operations and systems
•Lead on managing and developing the charity’s operational activities.
•Ensure that senior management actions that support operational effectiveness are managed and carried out in a timely way, via an accessible and accountable process.
•Lead and/or participate in a range of internal groups that support operational effectiveness.
•Support the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and other relevant staff with governance matters, including:
oReporting to the Council of Trustees on operational and people matters;
oPerformance of the ‘Company Secretary’ role on behalf of Trustees;
oTrustee recruitment, induction and management of necessary information and processes;
oAppropriate compliance with the Charity Governance Code.
•Working with the Chief Executive and Chair of the Council of Trustees, help prepare and coordinate the agendas and the running of the quarterly board meeting and occasional (at least annual) staff and Trustees strategy day, as well as the Sustain AGM, Annual Report and Trustee elections (annual), as one of the key links in communication with and between Sustain’s Council of Trustees.
•Lead on development and implementation of one or more relevant chapter of Sustain’s Organisation Development Plan (ODP).

•Support the planning and running of events, working with Sustain team leads, partners, venues and contributors.
•Work with the Head of Finance, Head of Digital and Design and external suppliers to help ensure office, IT and operational arrangements are appropriate and support effective working.
 

People, HR and employment processes
•Lead development and implementation of HR processes, practical actions and transactions, using external HR and/or legal advisors for authoritative support and advice where needed.
•Lead on full lifecycle support for Sustain staff including:
oEffective and inclusive recruitment, onboarding and offboarding – implementing Sustain’s commitment to recruitment for diversity – working with SMT, finance and admin leads;
oCreating, grading, reviewing and updating job descriptions, working with line managers and the senior leadership team;
oManaging employment contract variances; funding precarity; end-of-contract and risk-of-redundancy processes, working with senior managers, line managers, affected employees and HR/legal advisors;
oCreating or supporting a range of opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and identities to get involved.
•Act as first point of contact for HR queries, taking ownership of policies and process, culture and employee relations; informed by HR advice, consultation and annual staff survey, including overseeing an action plan to embed areas of good practice, and to pursue improvements in an accountable way.
•Regular review of job descriptions, grades, progression and staff benefits within Sustain to ensure we remain competitive within the sector.
•Provide or commission sector benchmarking data, analysis and recommendations to inform decision-making, using a methodology agreed with Trustee oversight, on matters such financial and non-financial staff benefits.
•Maintain and improve the Staff Handbook, Recruitment Handbook, and related policies, guidance, advice and other support.

Line management standards, learning and staff development
•Lead the development and implementation of clear, practical standards for line management at Sustain, working with SLT, SMT, the Line Managers Forum and external advisers where appropriate.

•Develop and oversee implementation of key processes such as annual appraisals, annual planning and objective-setting, and a suitable performance management process.
•Help ensure objective-setting, personal development and progression conversations are undertaken routinely, and that these and performance management are handled consistently, fairly and in line with Sustain’s values and legal responsibilities.
•Support line managers to run effective 1-to-1s, probation reviews, appraisals, workload conversations, development conversations, and difficult conversations where needed.
•Ensure suitable and sufficient ongoing learning opportunities and training for the staff team and the Line Managers group, driving the charity’s approach to consistent standards, personal development and career progression.
•Maintain and improve the Line Managers Handbook and related tools, templates and guidance.
Culture, EDI, staff voice and union liaison
•Manage and develop Sustain as a great place to work, with a working culture and practices that support effective delivery, as well as health, wellbeing and personal development.
•Serve as an active member of the Diversity Group, to implement and innovate on equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, and to gather data to measure and report on impact and progress.
•Working with the CEO, provide a route for requests and suggestions from the Health and Wellbeing Group to be properly considered and actioned as appropriate.
•Develop and support ways for staff voices to be heard and influence policies, practices and organisational culture, and for staff to be able to raise ideas and concerns confidently and see actions taken as a result.
•Support structured staff consultation and union liaison processes, helping ensure they are well-organised, transparent, well-documented and conducted in line with Sustain's policies and recognition arrangements.

Governance, compliance and risk management
•Develop and update key resources, contributing to useful reference sets such as the Staff Handbook, Recruitment Handbook and Line Managers Handbook, including overseeing production, maintenance and updating of all policies, procedures and guidance relevant to operations and people.
•Ensure Sustain complies with all employment, health and safety, data protection, charity legislation and statutory guidance including filing at Companies House and maintaining organisational records with the Charity Commission, and managing the risk register and internal policies tracker.

•Ensure adherence to health, safety, diversity and safeguarding procedures in the office, in hybrid working and for events and activities; undertaking comprehensive risk assessments for events and activities; and ensuring appropriate risk mitigation, staff communication and updates to guidance.
Other
•Potential for this role to line-manage one or more member of staff, volunteer, paid intern and/or external consultant, offering 1-to-1 support for objective-setting, work delivery, coaching and pastoral matters.
•Any other reasonable tasks and duties, agreed with the Chief Executive, consistent with the nature and level of the role.

Person specification / What we’re looking for:

Qualifications and requirements
•Significant experience operating at a senior level in a people, HR, operations or an organisation development role, including responsibility for organisational systems and staff management. [E]
•Experience of working in a charity, not-for-profit, campaigning, membership, alliance or other values-led organisation. [D]
•Demonstrable commitment to the operations and people role through a relevant qualification, training or other continuing professional development (CPD). [D]
 

Experience
•Significant experience leading organisational, people or operational improvement and advising senior decision-makers. [E]
•Developing skills and learning plans, and commissioning and/or delivering learning opportunities including training, workshops, facilitation and/or coaching. [E]
•Managing employment contracts to improve employee information and job security, especially where funding is short-term and project-based, with insights into good practice. [D]
•Delivering training and/or guidance to improve people-related functions to be delivered by line managers. [D]
•Working in a unionised organisation. [D]
Skills, abilities and attitudes
•Confidence and experience to take a leadership role on operational and people matters, working with the Chief Executive, Trustees and senior managers. [E]
•Strong problem-solving skills, and negotiation skills and the ability and confidence to provide insightful and constructive proposals and advice. [E]
•Excellent project management skills. [E]
•Aptitude for managing financial information and budgets. [D]
•Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively in writing and verbally, including on complex, confidential or contentious matters. [E]
•Proficiency with computer software and records management. [E]

Knowledge
•Knowledge and experience of end-to-end management of staff team members and their development: recruitment, induction and probation; learning experiences, skills and training; personal and career development; performance management; support for health and wellbeing; and HR processes. [E]
•Sound knowledge of UK HR and employment rules and statutory guidance, and their implementation in good practice. [E]
•Knowledge of IT, online and practical systems for improving processes and efficiency. [D]
 

Attitudes and personal qualities
•Highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to work flexibly, independently and meet deadlines; whilst having the judgment to know when and who to consult before proceeding. [E]
•High integrity, with a professional, diplomatic, values-led, solutions-focused and collaborative approach to working with individuals and a wider team. [E]
•Commitment and ability to work at our office in East London regularly. [E]
•Demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and racial justice. [E]
•Commitment to the mission and values of Sustain, and an interest in healthy and sustainable food and farming. [D]

Application closing date: Monday 14 September at 5pm (BST)

First stage interviews will take place (via Zoom) on: Wednesday 23 September 2026

Second stage interviews to take place in-person (London office) on: Wednesday 30 September 2026

Early applications are encouraged.

For any queries, please contact our recruitment team.

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (with CFO responsibilities) 

Location: Rugby or Hybrid/ Home with ability to travel to meet the charity’s needs
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Salary: £68,000 - £75,000  
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Closing Date: 21st August 2026

About HCPT

HCPT is a UK-based charity that provides life-changing pilgrimage experiences to Lourdes for children and adults with disabilities, complex medical needs, and social challenges of all faiths, and none. Every Easter and Summer, HCPT brings together thousands of volunteers, medical professionals, and chaplains to support pilgrims in a joyful, inclusive, and faith-filled environment. Our work is rooted in Christian values, community, and the belief that every person is uniquely gifted and loved.

Role Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of HCPT’s Senior Leadership Team, responsible for the effective delivery and high performance of all operational and business support aspects of the charity’s work. This includes leadership of all business support functions; Finance, HR, IT and Governance, working with and through internal teams and external business partners.  As such we are looking for an experienced chartered accountant who is also astute in leading the wider business operation of medium sized charity.

The postholder will have oversight of the quality and efficiency aspects of all that we do in planning and execution of pilgrimages, care & safeguarding, compliance and infrastructure and will support the CEO to develop a culture of accountability and high impact, whilst staying true to our values of: Compassion, Faith, Inclusion, Community and Celebration.

The COO will ensure that HCPT’s operations are safe, efficient, and aligned with our Catholic ethos and mission of inclusion and care, and that our performance is optimised to deliver excellence, which is:  THE BEST pilgrimage experience we can offer as defined and measured by our beneficiaries and volunteers.

This is a senior role in volunteer-led organisation and as such the successful postholder will be required to exercise flexibility with evening and weekend work to meet the business needs of the charity, given the availability of our volunteer leaders who have professional commitments during the day. The role also requires the post holder to travel to and work in Lourdes for two weeks over Easter each year, leading operational delivery of our largest annual pilgrimage.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO to implement HCPT’s strategic plan and vision.
• Lead and line manage internal business support functions and outsourced partners across; finance, HR and IT delivering excellence in our infrastructure.
• Support the CEO to realign the resources of the charity to improve performance, build capacity and increase impact, utilising the best in digital and AI tools to simplify complexity and create capacity.
• Lead on the development and tracking of departmental KPIs and dashboards, developing a culture focused on personal accountability, performance, quality management and continuous improvement.
• Support CEO to develop Operational Risk Register, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans.
• Line manage our Head of Care and Safeguarding, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and working as part of the wider care and safeguarding committees to anticipate legislative and other changes to how we deliver our mission in partnership with the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Support CEO in project management of system migration and development of AI tools which drive efficiency and quality of service delivery.
• Support CEO in quality management and articulation of impact for all stakeholder groups.
• Deputise for the CEO as required.

Finance & Business Support Function Management

• Own and lead all financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting across the organisation. 
• Lead the internal finance team and external partners to deliver accurate, timely monthly and quarterly management accounts and financial insights. 
• Develop and implement HCPT’s long-term financial strategy, including reserves policy, sustainability planning, and scenario modelling. 
• Oversee cashflow management and liquidity planning in line with appropriate reserves levels, ensuring the financial resilience of the organisation. 
• Ensure robust financial controls, policies, and compliance with all statutory requirements, including VAT, Corporation Tax, and charity regulations. 
• Lead the organisation’s annual audit process and act as the primary finance liaison with auditors. 
• Drive value-for-money, cost optimisation, and financial efficiency across all operations and pilgrimage programmes. 
• Provide strategic financial insight, analysis, and challenge to the CEO and Board of Trustees, including leading financial reporting to the Board. 
• Partner with fundraising teams to support financially robust grant applications, pricing strategies, and impact reporting. 
• Oversee financial governance and reporting alignment across UK and French operations. 
• Lead and manage all business support functions, including HR, IT, and governance, ensuring effective integration with financial planning and control.

Performance Management & Growth

• Support the CEO with development and implementation of HCPT’s strategy for growth, ensuring all departments understand their roles and responsibilities, demonstrated by high performance.
• Lead on the development of HCPT-wide KPIs in the UK and French organisations and support the CEO to deliver the step change in a culture of accountability and leadership at every level.
• Devise and develop reporting frameworks and a dashboard for operational management reporting which links into the quarterly Board pack.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UK charity law, care & safeguarding regulations, data protection requirements, and health & safety standards.
• Maintain risk registers and lead on safeguarding and incident response protocols, working with and through the Head of Care & Safeguarding.
• Support the CEO and Board of Trustees with operational reporting and risk management as the key point of contact with our volunteer leaders relating to the business operations of the charity.
• Assume Company Secretary duties and ensure all legal and fiscal records and annual returns are prepared on time to our regulators, working in partnership with our professional services advisers, CEO, SLT and Board of Trustees.

People & Volunteer Management

• Lead and support a team of staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of compassion, professionalism, and collaboration.
• Oversee HR policies, recruitment, training, and wellbeing.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations.

Systems & Infrastructure

• Ensure our systems and infrastructure are fit for purpose and can enable positive customer service approaches and develop SLAs internally and externally and which include what the organisation needs from our volunteers.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of systems for group registration, medical records, safeguarding, and volunteer management, including disposal in line with information lifecycle management and legislation governing this.
• Ensure data security, operational efficiency, and user-friendly processes for data management in line with GDPR and applicable data protection law.

Person Specification

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership role, ideally within a UK charity or faith-based organisation.
• Strong demonstrable financial leadership and management of a medium sized charity with a turnover of £4m plus, and a recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
• Strong experience of developing and delivering improvement methodology in change management programmes.
• Strong understanding of UK charity governance, safeguarding, and financial management.
• The ability to travel to Lourdes for two weeks each Easter to deliver the largest annual event for the charity.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of HCPT’s spirituality, mission and values.

Desirable

• Experience working with Lourdes pilgrimages or Catholic diocesan structures.
• Familiarity with medical or care provision in a group travel context.
• Experience working in cross-cultural environments.

N.B. Please note the duties listed are not exhaustive and the charity may require different or additional duties to be undertaken depending on changing business needs.

What We Offer

• A meaningful leadership role in a mission-driven charity
• Flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave
• Up to 5% employer pension contributions, based on employee contributions
• Group life cover and healthcare benefits
• Opportunities for spiritual and professional development
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and adults with additional needs

HCPT is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check before appointment, and references will be taken up prior to confirmation