Assistant Corporation Secretary

ENGINEERINGUK; London; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public service broadcaster seeks an Assistant Corporation Secretary to provide administrative support for Board operations. This critical role requires excellent organizational skills and governance knowledge, ensuring Board meetings run smoothly and statutory governance obligations are met. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a meticulous approach and strong relationship management abilities.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Free Virtual GP access

Discounted gym memberships

Pension

Life assurance

Income protection

Holiday purchase

Qualifications

• Proven experience at Executive Secretary/Assistant Board Secretary level.
• Ability to manage confidential information with integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to listen actively and draft accurate Minutes.

Responsibilities

• Attend Board meetings and accurately record minutes.
• Manage the Board calendar and actions list.
• Provide administrative support for governance requirements.

Skills

Administrative skills

Attention to detail

Discretion

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Governance knowledge

Education

Higher Education Qualification

Associate or Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries

Tools

Content management/board portal

Job description

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Job Title: Assistant Corporation Secretary
Reports to: Chief of Staff
Department: Corporate
Location: London
Grade: P1

ABOUT CHANNEL 4

Channel 4 is a publicly-owned and commercially-funded UK public service broadcaster, with a statutory remit to deliver high-quality, innovative, alternative content that challenges the status quo. Channel 4 was set up by the government with a unique model and remit that aims to stimulate the independent production sector, drive innovation in broadcasting and to commission programmes that showcase Britain in all of its diversity.

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and working closely with the Corporation Secretary this role will provide an exemplary secretariat and administrative function for the Channel 4 Board, helping to ensure that Board business runs smoothly and efficiently and fulfils its statutory governance obligations. The Assistant Corporation Secretary will also provide some support to the wider work of the Office of the CEO.
This is an important administrative role sitting at the heart of the organisation, requiring excellent organisational and relationship skills, suitable for an accomplished administrative professional with governance and secretariat skills who has a proven track record of supporting Executives and / or Board members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attending all Board meetings and Board Sub-Committee meetings (Remuneration Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, and others as required).
• Accurate recording, initial drafting and distribution of the Board and Board Sub-Committee Minutes; Recording and safe storage of all Minutes.
• Maintenance of an up-to-date forward agendas calendar for Board and Committees.
• Maintenance of Board actions list.
• Co-ordination and notification to Board and Channel 4 staff of Board and Committee dates and deadlines; diary liaison with Chair, NEDs and Executive EAs.
• Practical set up of Board meetings (in person and virtual, across Channel 4's five office locations) and liaison with guest presenters.
• Working with Chief of Staff to ensure timely delivery and circulation of Board and Committee papers (including accessible versions).
• Management of Diligent Board paper management app, including day-to-day liaison with the service provider, as well as review/retendering of the service.
• Maintenance of a full contact list of Board members including Board member appointment dates, term of appointments, Board attendance and Board member biographies.
• Administrative support to Corporation Secretary on a range of governance requirements, including updating Terms of Reference; management of annual Ofcom Declarations and director emoluments; Annual Report and annual Effectiveness Review and Board skills audit. Ad-hoc governance research, carry out initial shortlist of Board evaluation external provider and drafting Chair meeting notes.
• Liaison with C4 Archiving Department on archiving of Board and committee papers.
• Support on arranging Board training & development, corporate briefings & Inductions as needed.
• Distribution of weekly and monthly information packs to Board members e.g. Weekly Risk List, Programme Highlights and Performance Packs.
• Administrative contact for Chair and NEDs including organising Tech support, management of expenses, travel and hotel bookings when required.
• Redacting Board minutes as relevant in response to FOI requests.
• Setting up of Purchase Orders and overseeing the invoicing process for Board related payments.
• Support Chief of Staff, when required, with Executive business administration e.g. circulation of Executive papers, occasional cover for Executive meeting minute-taking.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Proven experience of operating at Executive Secretary / Assistant Board Secretary level.
• Excellent administrative / secretariat skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail demonstrating a meticulous approach to all tasks.
• Ability to prioritise workload without supervision.
• Acts with discretion and the highest standards of integrity.
• Proven ability to deal with highly confidential information.
• Is courteous and diplomatic and displays good judgement.
• Interest in and broad understanding of good governance issues.
• Demonstrates the ability to listen actively and draft accurate Minutes.
• Ability to understand the organisational strategy and how that impacts on the wider organisation
• Ability to think strategically in response to Board actions
• Proven ability in dealing with senior colleagues and Board members.
• Technically confident and capable of operating in a digital environment.
• Understanding/experience of using and managing a content management/board portal (e.g. Diligent Boards)
• Understanding of the statutory requirements of the Channel 4 Corporation and responsibilities as a Public Service Broadcaster.
• Ability and flexibility to work at pace and respond to changing circumstances.
• Able to understand financial concepts, required for minute-taking (training will be provided in this area).

DESIRABLE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Associate or Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

Basic salary per annum starting from£48,125.00 Application questions to complete
Please remember to complete the additional application questions by uploading a Word or PDF attachment. These questions really help us get to know you better and we won't be able to consider your application without them.

Please outline how you meet the 'Essential Experience & Skills' outlined in the Job Description (Max 500 words)

BenefitsThere are a million reasons why it's great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;

• Private medical insurance
• Free Virtual GP access for employees
• Free Female Health hormone test each year
• Free Tastecard membership
• Financial guidance 1-2-1's available each quarter
• Discounted Gym memberships
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Holiday Purchase Hybrid workingFrom September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week.
Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week. Applications Close Date12 Jun 2025 Equal OpportunitiesChannel 4's purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK.

We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Disability Confident Scheme:
Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme - Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.

For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.

Care Leaver Friendly Employer:
Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.

For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.

Workplace Adjustments:
We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via the following e-mail [e-mail]

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