Company Secretary & General Counsel. Job in Much Hadham Education & Training Jobs

EasyWebRecruitment.com; Much Hadham; On-site; GBP 118,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional charity in Much Hadham is seeking a Company Secretary & General Counsel to lead governance and legal affairs. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor, bring strong knowledge of charity and company law, and have experience at a senior level. Key responsibilities include ensuring effective governance, advising the Board, and managing legal risks. This full-time on-site role offers an annual salary of £117,542.88 along with generous benefits including healthcare and development opportunities.

Benefits

Healthcare: Bupa private medical cover

30 days annual leave

Generous contributory pension scheme

Employee assistance programs

Free parking

Subsidised meals

Development culture investing in leadership

Qualifications

• Significant experience operating at a senior level.
• Advising Boards or Trustees is ideal.
• Experience in education, health, or social care is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective governance, record keeping, and compliance.
• Advise on governance best practices and statutory obligations.
• Lead legal matters including contracts and litigation management.
• Support organizational growth and due diligence.
• Manage legal and governance risks proactively.

Skills

Knowledge of charity law

Knowledge of corporate governance

Excellent judgement

Influencing skills

Pragmatic solutions-focused approach

Experience in regulated sectors

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister, or ICSA qualification

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:

• 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.