Company Secretary (Society Secretary) - Heart of England Co-operative Society

Location: Whittle House, Coventry

Contract: Permanent, Part-time (22.5 hours per week)

Salary: £45,000 - £54,000 (depending on experience)

**About Us: **The Heart of England Co-operative Society, an independent regional co-operative established in 1832, has been dedicated to serving our members and communities across the Midlands. With our commitment to co-operative values, we continue to grow, operating 37 food stores, 16 funeral homes, and expanding our services to include Coffee Shops.

**Role Overview: **As the Society Secretary, you will play a crucial role in enabling high-quality governance aligned with co-operative principles and best practices. Reporting to the CEO and accountable to the President of the Board, you will lead the provision of society secretarial and corporate governance services, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and supporting the Board in its duties.

Key Responsibilities:

• Governance & Compliance:

• Oversee the production and distribution of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

• Ensure compliance with the Society’s Rulebook and all legislative and regulatory requirements.

• Manage statutory filings and maintain statutory registers.

• Board Support:

• Provide secretarial services to the Board and its committees, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and recording minutes.

• Facilitate Board and Committee performance reviews and ongoing development.

• Member Engagement:

• Organise General Meetings and facilitate member democratic ownership.

• Act as a point of contact for members on governance matters.

• Leadership & Strategy:

• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to implement Society-wide policies and champion co-operative values.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Chartered Company Secretary, Chartered Accountant, or Solicitor.
• Knowledge of corporate governance, regulatory law, and risk management.
• Experience in report writing and minute-taking at a senior level.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Understanding of co-operative principles and the Society’s business activities.

Desirable:

• NEBOSH or IOSH certification in health and safety.
• Legal experience and familiarity with the Co-operative and Communities Benefit Societies Act 2014.

The closing date for this role is Friday 6th September, for more information, please contact recruitment@heartofengland-coop.co.uk

INDHP