Company Secretary (part-time)

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 130 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle many of the world’s problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

What are we looking for?

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, team focussed and self-motivated part‑time Company Secretary to support the Board and Chairperson. This newly created position is designed to provide support to the firm’s board and senior management team on day-to-day operational, strategic and governance activities.

Areas of focus and responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end Board cycle, including forward planning, agendas, papers, logistics, minute-taking, and post-meeting follow-up
• Maintain the annual governance calendar and ensure deadlines are visible and met (papers, approvals and decisions)
• Draft and quality-check Board minutes, capturing decisions clearly and proportionately and ensuring an accurate record of discussions
• Maintain decision logs and action trackers; monitor progress, chase owners and provide clear status updates to the Chair/COO
• Act as a central point of coordination between the Board, Directors, Partners and senior management, ensuring information flows are timely
• Coordinate the preparation of briefing materials for senior leaders (eg. business cases, proposals and presentations) to support decisions at Board level
• Support communication of Board decisions, approvals and priorities to relevant senior stakeholders, including clarity on ownership, deadlines and next steps
• Provide governance support for Board/Partner strategy sessions and offsites (agendas, packs, facilitation support, actions and follow-up)
• Support governance good practice and contribute to continuous improvement of governance processes, including lessons learned after meetings and maintaining secure, accessible records

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include undertaking additional tasks as required.

Skills and experience

• Prior experience in Company Secretary roles (either in‑house or advisory)
• Commercial acumen and excellent client service (internal and external)
• Ability to manage sensitive situations with diplomacy and confidence
• Strong understanding of Board responsibilities and governance frameworks
• Highly organised and detail‑oriented
• The integrity to handle highly confidential information appropriately
• An excellent communicator, both verbal and in writing
• Passionate and enthusiastic about providing exceptional client service
• Have the ability to use own initiative to adapt, and think laterally
• Demonstrable team player, with flexible attitude and approach to work and work colleagues
• Self-motivated and goal focussed, you will enjoy change and variety, and thrive under pressure

The essentials

• Part-time, 2-3 days per week
• 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• Hybrid working policy with at least 1 day in the office
• 12 week probation period
• 12 week notice period
• Flexible benefit package including pension, private medical insurance, denplan, season ticket loan, discounted gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, the ability to buy and sell holidays, flu jabs, doctors consultation service, cycle to work scheme, on site café and more

Information for Recruitment Agencies

Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.