Company Secretary

Role outline
The Company Secretary supports the Board of trustees in ensuring that governance of the charity is maintained to the highest standards, and we comply with charity law, company law, and guidance from the Charity Commission.
The Company Secretary works closely with the Chair of trustees, the CEO, and the Senior Leadership Team on areas like Reporting, HR, Health & Safety, and Diversity and Inclusion.
The Company Secretary will develop a close working relationship with all other parts of the organisation, enabling them to achieve the above more effectively.
Salary: £32,083 FTE (full time equivalent)
Band 6 (provisional grading subject to potential role evaluation.)
Hours: Part time (21 hours per week)
Managed by: CEO
Direct Management of: N/A
Working Links
With the CEO, to whom the person in this role reports.
With the trustees of the charity, in particular the Chair.
With the various teams at FLD.
With stakeholders at the external organisations we work with.
Key Responsibilities
To act as nominated Company Secretary for both the FLD charity and the FLD limited company.
To arrange, prepare for, and co-ordinate trustee Board meetings and associated sub-committees, including writing and collating papers, taking notes and minutes, and updating the action logs.
To arrange the Annual General Meeting (working with the Membership & Volunteer Lead), and compile the Annual Report/Impact Statement circulated in advance.
To collate reports for management and trustees on progress against the strategic objectives of the charity, and delivery of the projects and campaigns in the operational work plan.
To co-ordinate recruitment of new trustees, and development of skills across the current trustee Board.
To own and update key corporate documents like the Articles of Association, Risk Register, Disaster Recovery Plan, HR policies and procedures, and the Staff Handbook, and to ensure that other key policies are regularly reviewed and updated.
To research the latest governance requirements and best practice for charities and ensure FLD is complying with current Charity Commission requirements, procuring specialist professional advice if required.
To update the Charity Commission and Companies House websites with the latest information about FLD.
To help FLD develop its Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy and roll it out at trustee Board level, across the staff group, and among supporters, members, and volunteers.
Embody a positive culture of collaboration and creativity to ensure all parts of the organisation are working together effectively.
You Will Be...
Well versed in charity sector governance requirements, with demonstrable experience of performing a Company Secretary role or similar.
Super-organised, with a great flair for administration, attention to detail, a methodical approach to project management, and the ability to prioritise.
A great communicator, with advanced verbal and written English skills, and a prose style that balances detail with clarity.
A team player, with your strong interpersonal skills and empathy enabling you to get the best out of colleagues at all levels.
Great at building and developing strong, supportive working relationships with trustees and senior management, and advising/coaching the Board on governance matters.
Capable of working with complex data to compile reports, with the design and IT skills to present it professionally and elegantly.
Diplomatic and discreet, particularly when it comes to handling sensitive information.
Positive, optimistic, and solutions-oriented - with the ability to see a path through any short-term challenges and maintain morale and vision.
Other Requirements
You may have a legal background or qualifications.
You will have an affinity for the convictions and beliefs of Friends of the Lake District, and a love for the landscapes of Cumbria.