Company Secretary & General Counsel

hireful; Much Hadham; On-site; GBP 118,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity organization in Much Hadham seeks a Company Secretary & General Counsel. This senior role involves ensuring effective governance and legal compliance while advising the Board of Trustees. Ideal candidates will be qualified solicitors or company secretaries with strong knowledge of charity law and corporate governance. The position offers a competitive salary of £117,542.88 per annum and benefits such as generous leave and private medical cover. This role is on-site, requiring driving to various locations.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Bupa private medical cover

Generous pension scheme

Employee assistance

Subsidised meals

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of charity law, company law, and corporate governance.
• Experience advising Boards or Trustees within complex, regulated organisations.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach balancing legal rigour with organisational realities.

Responsibilities

• Act as Company Secretary to the Board of Trustees, ensuring effective governance.
• Advise Trustees on governance best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Lead on legal matters including contracts and disputes.

Skills

Charity law knowledge

Company law expertise

Corporate governance experience

Excellent judgement

Discretion and influence

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister, or ICSA-qualified company secretary

Job description

Company Secretary & General Counsel

Location: Much Hadham, Hertfordshire (SG10 6EW)

Hours: Full time

Salary: £117,542.88 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

Providing clarity, assurance, and leadership at the heart of their organisation.

Our client is entering an exciting and important phase of its journey. With a strong heritage, a clear mission, and ambitious plans for the future, they are now seeking an experienced and highly credible Company Secretary & General Counsel to strengthen governance, support strategic growth, and provide expert legal leadership across the organisation.

This is a senior, influential role, working closely with the Chair of Trustees, Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Team, ensuring that their organisation continues to operate with integrity, transparency, and confidence in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

About their organisation

Our client is a leading regional charity supporting children, young people and adults with epilepsy and other complex needs to live life to the full. From their 60‑acre site in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, they deliver integrated education, health, therapy, residential care and supported living services, and they are regulated by Ofsted and CQC as well as the Charity Commission.

Established in 1903 and becoming an independent charity in 2018, our client now has an annual income of approximately £21m and a growing portfolio of services. As they look ahead to the next phase of development, including potential service expansion, strong governance and legal oversight are critical.

The Role

As Company Secretary & General Counsel, you will hold overall responsibility for the charity’s governance framework and legal affairs. You will act as the principal adviser to the Board and Executive Team on governance, constitutional matters, legal risk, and compliance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as Company Secretary to the Board of Trustees, ensuring effective governance, accurate record keeping and minute taking, high‑quality Board and committee processes and compliance with charity and company law
• Advising Trustees and senior leaders on governance best practice, statutory obligations, and regulatory requirements
• Leading on legal matters including contracts, disputes, litigation management, and engagement with external legal advisers
• Supporting organisational growth, including due diligence, acquisitions, and the development of future governance structures
• Identifying and managing legal and governance risk, ensuring issues are addressed proactively and pragmatically.
• Supporting the development of a strong governance culture aligned to the charity’s values and mission.

The role is primarily based at their Much Hadham site, with some travel to other locations as required.

About You

You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister, or ICSA‑qualified company secretary, with significant experience operating at senior level. You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of charity law, company law, and corporate governance
• Experience advising Boards or Trustees, ideally within complex, regulated or values‑led organisations.
• Excellent judgement, discretion, and the ability to influence at the highest level.
• A pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach, balancing legal rigour with organisational realities.
• Experience within education, health, social care, or similarly regulated sectors would be advantageous, as would experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or organisational change.

What They Offer

• Salary: £117,542.88 per annum
• Annual leave: 30 days plus service‑related increases
• Healthcare: Bupa private medical cover
• Pension: Generous contributory scheme
• Wellbeing: Employee assistance, free parking, subsidised meals, and a beautiful countryside campus
• Development: A culture that invests in leadership, professional growth, and continuous learning
• The opportunity to shape one of the UK’s most distinctive models of integrated education, care, and health provision.

This is an on‑site role based in Much Hadham. Due to their rural location, a driving licence and access to transport are essential.

Apply Now

If you are ready to lead with vision, compassion, and impact, they would love to hear from you.

Guide with integrity. Advise with confidence. Be part of a charity where purpose comes first.

REF‑225 848