Board Secretary

Board Secretary (Maternity Cover) London | Hybrid Working | Fixed Term to July 2027 £ 44,508 - £52,000 I am working on behalf of my client, who is seeking an experienced and highly organised Board Secretary to join their Private Office team on a maternity cover basis. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced governance professional to provide high-quality secretariat support to the Board, Chair, Chief Executive and Board Committees .

The role will be central to ensuring that the Board operates effectively, with well-managed meetings, clear governance processes, accurate records and effective follow-up of decisions and actions.

Please note:

some travel may be required to attend Board and Committee meetings at different locations. The successful candidate will have strong Board and Committee experience, excellent attention to detail and the confidence to work with senior leaders and stakeholders at all levels.

Key Responsibilities Provide a comprehensive and professional Board secretariat service to the Chair, Chief Executive, Board and Committees. Lead and support a small team responsible for Board and Committee administration and governance. Work closely with the Chair and Chief Executive to develop Board agendas, annual workplans and forward meeting schedules. Coordinate the end-to-end Board and Committee meeting cycle, including scheduling meetings, commissioning papers, preparing agendas, managing the Board portal and ensuring papers are circulated within agreed deadlines.

Attend Board and Committee meetings, including meetings that may require travel, and produce accurate, concise and high-quality minutes that clearly capture discussions, decisions and actions. Maintain the Board's register of decisions, actions and recommendations, ensuring that agreed actions are monitored and followed up. Maintain accurate and confidential governance records, including Board and Committee documentation. Ensure that Board and Committee members receive timely, accurate and appropriate information to support effective decision-making.

Provide advice and guidance to Board members and senior colleagues on governance procedures, meeting protocols and decision-making processes. Support the Chair and Chief Executive in ensuring that Board business is appropriately planned, prioritised and progressed. Coordinate the induction and onboarding of new Commissioners and Board members, ensuring they receive the relevant information, documentation and support. Support the effective administration of Board and Committee appointments, including maintaining appropriate records and governance documentation.

Build strong working relationships with Commissioners, Board members, senior leaders, executives and other key stakeholders. Support the review and continuous improvement of Board and Committee effectiveness, governance processes and ways of working. Ensure that confidential, sensitive and organisationally significant information is handled appropriately at all times. Contribute to the preparation of governance reports, Board papers and other documentation required for effective oversight and decision-making.

Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, quality and consistency of Board and Committee processes. About You We are looking for an experienced Board Secretary, Governance Manager or Company Secretariat professional who can demonstrate:
Proven experience providing secretariat support to a Board and/or senior-level Committees. Strong understanding of corporate governance, Board structures and effective decision-making processes. Experience preparing Board agendas, papers, minutes, action logs and governance reports. Excellent minute-taking and written communication skills, with the ability to accurately capture complex discussions and decisions. Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple meetings, deadlines and priorities simultaneously.

Experience working confidently with Chairs, Chief Executives, Commissioners, Board members and senior stakeholders. Excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify and resolve issues proactively. Sound judgement and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information. Experience leading or coordinating a small team would be advantageous. A proactive and collaborative approach, with the ability to work calmly and effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Strong IT skills and experience working with Board management or document-sharing systems.…