Job Opportunity: Company Secretary (Society Secretary)

Location: Whittle House, Coventry

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

Salary: Circa £80K full-time equivalent (dependent on experience)

**About Us: **The Heart of England Co-operative Society is an independent, regional co-operative with a history dating back to 1832. We are a membership-driven organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of our members, customers, colleagues, and communities. Our Society operates across Food Retail, with 38 stores and 3 coffee shops, and Funeral Services, with 16 funeral homes. We take pride in our co-operative ethos, putting people and communities at the heart of our decisions.

**The Role: **We are seeking a highly skilled Society Secretary to work closely with our Board of Directors and CEO, ensuring high-quality governance in line with International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) principles, Society values, and governance best practices. The successful candidate will be responsible for corporate compliance, governance processes, and member democratic engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead company secretarial and corporate governance services.

• Ensure compliance with the Society’s Rulebook, corporate governance best practices, and legislative requirements.

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

• Manage statutory filings and ensure regulatory compliance with the Financial Conduct Authority and Companies House.

• Act as the Data Protection Officer (DPO) for the Society.

• Organise and deliver General Meetings and Board Elections.

• Provide governance support to the Board, CEO, and Executive Leadership Team.

• Facilitate director inductions, Board development, and training.

• Lead on risk management, internal audits, and GDPR compliance.

• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal stakeholders, external advisors, and regulatory bodies.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience in corporate governance and secretarial roles.

• Strong knowledge of corporate governance, regulatory law, and risk management.

• Experience with Board-level reporting, minute-taking, and governance processes.

• Ability to provide sound judgment and navigate complex stakeholder relationships.

• Professional knowledge of relevant legal frameworks, including the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 and Company Law (desirable).

• NEBOSH or IOSH certification in Health & Safety (desirable).

• A legal qualification or background (advantageous but not essential).

• High-level communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

• Commitment to the values and principles of co-operation.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced governance professional looking to make a significant impact in a values-driven organisation.

**How to Apply: **If you believe you have the experience and passion for this role, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the position.

Join us in shaping the future of Heart of England Co-operative Society and making a real difference in our communities!

INDLP