Office of the Secretary – Vice President - Corporate Legal

You will join The Office of the Secretary (“OTS”), which sits within the Firm’s Legal function, that partners with senior management, control groups, lines of business and corporate units to promote effective governance of the Firm. The role will primarily be aligned with the Corporate & Investment Bank or Asset Management lines of business in EMEA.

In this role you will provide efficient governance advice and support to stakeholders in EMEA. You will oversee and deliver corporate governance and company secretarial services to the Firm’s subsidiaries in the region.

You will act as the lead strategic business partner to senior stakeholders, including boards and other senior executives, providing advice on corporate governance and company secretarial matters that relate to EMEA legal entities and funds, and lead on material communications with board directors. You will be working closely with the Head of OTS EMEA and other members of OTS global leadership in delivering the strategic and operational objectives.

If you and have extensive experience of operating within a high-performing corporate secretariat, with the ability of rapidly building credibility and influence with key stakeholders, this role is for you.

Job responsibilities

• Oversee and deliver day-to-day corporate governance and company secretarial services in respect of EMEA legal entities, including board/board committee governance and legal entity management
• Monitor changes in corporate legislation and the financial services regulatory environment and take or recommend action as appropriate
• Oversee and coordinate information flows to EMEA legal entity boards and board committees, by proactively driving the agenda-setting process with the relevant board or committee Chair and partnering with relevant stakeholders on the preparation of board and committee meeting/briefing materials
• Lead and deliver against ad hoc projects and/or corporate transactions that may arise, working with multiple stakeholders.
• Act as an effective channel of communication for EMEA legal entity board members, with a particular focus on non-executive directors. Oversee and coordinate board member onboarding, induction and ongoing training, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders within EMEA.
• Lead and deliver governance enhancements in relation to OTS managed legal entities, driving governance standards in line with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Develop effective working relationships with others within OTS, demonstrating the Firm’s core values as a colleague.

Required qualifications, capabilities and skills

• Strong degree-level academic background
• Qualified Company Secretary, Corporate Governance Professional or Corporate Solicitor with relevant work experience
• Track record on leadership on corporate governance and company secretarial matters within a high-profile environment, including extensive interaction with non-executive directors
• Track record of delivering change and driving corporate governance best practice.
• Detailed understanding of corporate governance matters impacted by changing law and regulations in the financial services industry
• Impeccable integrity and ability to work independently and work well as a part of a wider team
• Emotional intelligence and gravitas, to develop and maintain effective working relationships with board members and senior management
• Ability to work independently and work well as a part of a wider team
• Strong written and verbal skills, and an effective communicator with maturity to deal effectively at all levels of the organisation
• Able to prioritise and manage multiple projects at the same time, with flexibility to adapt to shifting expectations appropriately
• Good judgement, self-awareness, tact and discretion

Preferred qualifications, capabilities and skills

• Experience gained working in other regulated financial services, asset management or insurance organisations.