Deputy company secretary jobs

You will support the work of the Trust Company and Synod in all matters of compliance with Company and Charity legislation, overseeing the day-to-day operation of the Trust and Synod offices. You will also have the lead in-house responsibility for ensuring that the Board is able to discharge its financial responsibilities in an informed and timely manner. You will work with the honorary Synod Treasurer in liaising with and supporting local churches in financial matters.

You will be based in the Trust Office in Southampton, visiting other locations across the Wessex area as needed. Flexibility is also required for attending occasional evening and weekend meetings.

Key Responsibilities: Company Secretary 

1. in consultation with the Trust Executive Officer and the Chair of the Board, convene and provide administration for annual general meetings (AGMs) and Board meetings, including: 
   • producing agendas
   • making all papers available to the Board in a timely manner 
   • taking minutes
   • conveying decisions 
   • handling meeting correspondence 
2. provide legal, financial and/or strategic advice to the Board during and outside of meetings, and more generally advise the Board on corporate governance matters 
3. keep up to date with regulatory or statutory changes and policies that might affect the organisation 
4. ensure that the Company’s policies are up to date and are approved 
5. communicate with external professionals involved in corporate governance, such as auditors 
6. implement processes or systems to help ensure good management of the organisation or compliance with legislation 
7. file all necessary documents with the Charity Commission and Companies House, including the Annual Report and Accounts 
8. inform the Charity Commission and Companies House of appointments and resignations of Trustee Directors 
9. take responsibility for HR and the health and safety of employees, including payroll in liaison with external consultants 
   • maintain Role Descriptions for staff 
   • ensure that the Company’s Employment Handbook and statutory employment policies are reviewed and updated annually 
10. manage the Company’s premises and facilities, including IT in liaison with external consultants 

Key Responsibilities: Deputy Treasurer 

1. in collaboration with the Synod Treasurer: 
   • ensure the Wessex Trust is managing the assets of the Synod in an appropriate manner and in accordance with its strategy and policies 
   • report on the Synod’s financial matters and budgets to the Synod Executive and Trust
   • ensure that policies, operations and priorities are in keeping with the aims of the Wessex Synod. 
   • participate in the Synod Executive’s regular review of the Wessex Synod’s governance structure 
   • attend relevant Assembly level meetings for matters of concern to Synod Treasurers 
   • liaise with the Treasurers of the 12 other Synods, with a particular focus on commitments to Inter-Synod Resource Sharing. 
2. manage the annual process to agree and deliver the overall contribution from the Synod to the United Reformed Church’s national Ministry and Mission Fund, or its successor 
3. develop and maintain a rolling 3-year projection of the Trust’s financial capacity 
4. participate in the appointment of the Trust Secretary and the Financial Accountant and participate in monitoring and evaluating their performance 
5. undertake line management responsibility for the Financial Accountant 
6. serve on the Investment Committee and assist in maintaining the Trust’s Investment and Reserves policies 
7. monitor changes in statutory financial requirements and ensure that relevant ones are implemented 
8. support the Trust Convener in the production of the Trustees’ Annual Report 
9. take overall responsibility in the staff team for work to prepare for and support the annual statutory audit 
10. lead the Trust’s response to the Audit Findings Report each year and prioritise responses.