Senior Company Secretary | S-4 | Legal & Corporate Governance | Milton Keynes/London

Santander; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in the UK is seeking a Senior Company Secretary based in Milton Keynes/London. This 12-month fixed-term contract role involves providing governance support, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and acting as a liaison with senior management. The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years' experience in corporate governance within financial services and excellent stakeholder management skills. Competitive rewards and support for life stages are offered.

Benefits

30 days' holiday plus bank holidays

£6,000 car allowance

Company funded private medical insurance

Death-in-service benefit

Access to wellbeing support and fitness

Opportunities for volunteering

Global growth opportunities

Qualifications

• At least 7 years' experience working as a company secretary in listed or financial services.
• Practical knowledge of corporate governance and UK Corporate Governance Code.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Provide internal and corporate governance advice and support to the business.
• Oversee compliance with group and regulatory requirements.
• Act as the Secretary and advisor to Board level Committees.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Mentoring

Teamwork

Education

Membership of the Chartered Governance Institute

Job description

Senior Company Secretary | S-4 | Legal & Corporate Governance | Milton Keynes/London

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what's possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It's a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OFFICE is looking for a SENIOR COMPANY SECRETARY based out of MILTON KEYNES/LONDON.

This role is a 12 month fixed term contract.

In this high-profile role as Senior Company Secretary, you will be a part of the UK Corporate Governance Office and will provide high quality internal and corporate governance support and advice to the business and act as a liaison between Group Internal Governance Office and the business on corporate governance related matters.

You will be overseeing compliance with group, regulatory and statutory requirements on corporate and internal governance matters ensuring application of governance best practice throughout the Santander UK group.

You'll play a critical role in maintaining high standards of governance which will be constantly reviewed and improved upon.

To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Provide internal and corporate governance advice to the business and act as a liaison between Group Internal Governance Office and the business on corporate governance related matters.
• Provide specialist advice on corporate governance best practice, including the Listing rules, DTRs, MAR, UK Corporate Governance Code.
• Participate as Corporate Governance Office lead on the annual report and financial statements programme for the ring-fenced bank and the holding company.
• Deputise for the Head of Corporate and Internal Governance.
• Act as a Secretary and advisor to one or more Board level Committees and be responsible for effective interaction and relationships with senior management and Executive & Non-Executive Board members as applicable.
• Act as a line manager to Internal Governance Team member(s) and develop them.
• Keep up to date with all relevant legal and regulatory developments to ensure that local policies are updated accordingly.
• Act as project lead in respect of corporate governance aspects of new business initiatives, projects, legislative or regulatory developments.
• Oversee consistent application of our documents workflow system SIMPLA and application of the meeting management tool SanGovPro by the business areas.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We're enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Practical knowledge of corporate governance, including knowledge of the Companies Act 2006, the UK Corporate Governance Code, PRA/FCA governance requirements and listing rules, together with the associated excellent stakeholder management and diplomacy skills.
• At least 7 years' experience working as a company secretary either in listed or financial services businesses.
• Membership of the Chartered Governance Institute as an Affiliate, Associate or Fellow, or equivalent.
• Experience of working effectively in a busy corporate governance or secretariat function.
• Excellent attention to detail and written communication skills.
• Well-developed organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work efficiently under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Experience of working in a regulated environment, ideally financial services.
• Ability to mentor and develop more junior team members.
• Line management experience.
• A positive attitude and the ability to work well in a team, interacting effectively with people at all levels of the organisation.

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

• 30 days' holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year.
• £6,000 car allowance per year.
• Company funded individual private medical insurance.
• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.
• Share in Santander's success by saving or investing in our share plans.
• As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services.
• Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.
• Wellbeing that goes beyond work – we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
• Support for every life stage – from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what's possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we're proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone - regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We're committed to creating a recruitment experience that's accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive - at work and at home - while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow. To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).

Right to work in the UK

Every individual must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander either by way of nationality, visa or work permit. If you do require a working visa / permit this will not influence our decision on whether to progress your application. However, if you do not have a right to work, or an application for a working visa / permit is unsuccessful, Santander will not proceed with your application and will withdraw any conditional offer previously made.

We welcome applications on the understanding that, should you be offered this role, there may be no relocation package available. Santander will pay the employer mandatory government fees that are required to pay in connection with visa sponsorship. You may be liable for your own personal employee immigration and relocation costs.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

If there's anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it's a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we're available through email. You can contact us at [e-mail].