Interim Senior Assistant Company Secretary - 6 Month FTC

What’s in it for you

We offer excellent benefits that help make Tesco a great place to work.  These include but aren’t limited to:

• Annual bonus scheme
• Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus 8 Bank holidays)
• On-site state of the art gym at our Welwyn Campus with discounted “Gympass” membership & free health checks via Nuffield Health
• Retirement savings plan - save between 4% and 7.5% and Tesco will match your contribution
• Life Assurance - 5 x contractual pay
• Share Schemes – Join our ‘Buy As You Earn’ & ‘Save As You Earn’ share schemes after 3 months service
• Colleague Clubcard (including a 2nd card for a family member) after 3 months service
• Colleague Discounts:
  • 10% increasing to 15% after every pay day for a four day period, off most purchases at Tesco
  • 10% off One Stop
  • 10% off pay monthly & SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile
  • 20% off all F&F purchases
  • 20% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. T&C’s apply
  • 25% off Tesco Café
  • 50% off complete glasses purchases & free eye tests (other offers available) at Vision Express
  • 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy
• An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases, treats for the family, eating out and utility bills for the home
• Cycle to work scheme
• Shuttle Bus Service to/from Welwyn Garden City Station to Welwyn Campus
• Opportunities to get on - take advantage of our ongoing learning opportunities and award-winning training, to help you achieve the job and career you want
• Our Employee Assistance Programme helps you deal with life’s challenges
• Financial wellness - Tesco has partnered with experts to help you make the most of your money
• Get involved in a range of fundraising activities with our long-term charity partners

About the role

An opportunity has arisen to join this high profile, fast-paced and collegiate FTSE50 team. The position will involve a broad range of listed plc and general company secretarial responsibilities, working with senior partners in the business.

The role calls for an immediately available, experienced, confident and upbeat individual who will contribute and play a key role in the development of an industry-leading team.  

You will be responsible for

As an Interim Senior Assistant Company Secretary in the team, you will have responsibility for a variety of matters across the areas below. A periodic rotation of responsibilities is anticipated to ensure development and a depth of knowledge and experience across the team.

1. Tesco PLC Listed Company Obligations

• Supporting PLC Board and Committee meetings, including organising meetings and drafting agendas and papers
• Ensuring adherence to best practice principles of corporate governance
• Running the Group’s compliance with Market Abuse Regulations, maintaining the Tesco Insider List and related policies and processes including the Group training programme
• Drafting Corporate Governance sections of the Tesco PLC Annual Report
• Supporting with preparations for the Tesco PLC Annual General Meeting
• Maintaining sections of the Tesco PLC website
• Support Non-executive Directors leading our workforce engagement programme
• Supporting with queries from the business regarding regulatory compliance and continuing obligations

2. Subsidiary Governance, Statutory Compliance and Board Support (UK and International)

• Running and coordinating the statutory compliance of a portfolio of group entities in collaboration with cross-functional teams and external auditors
• Handling and advising the boards of trading subsidiaries and joint ventures, including the principal UK operating company, and supporting with board meetings, governance initiatives, compliance with statutory reporting requirements
• Induction and training for statutory directors of subsidiaries and joint ventures
• Advising on governance structures, processes and best practice, ensuring that subsidiary companies meet the required standards of corporate governance and other Group policies
• Developing and advising on key governance policies, including the Group’s delegated authority and signing policies
• Monitoring developments in company law and governance; consulting cross-functionally and advising the business on the implications of statutory change and best practice; attending seminars and industry groups; and responding to consultations
• Supporting on international subsidiary governance and management of relationships with overseas service providers

3. Transactional and Project Support

• Providing company secretarial support on various projects, including updates to and bond issuances under the Group’s EMTN programme, mergers and acquisitions and intra-group restructuring and capital reorganisations. Includes primary drafting and reviewing relevant documentation, due diligence, facilitating approval processes and dealing with post completion matters
• Handling inter-company dividend and intra-group funding processes, including equity injections
• Supporting on company secretarial and company law aspects of reserve planning projects
• Liaising with cross-functional teams including Tax, Treasury, Communications, Legal and Property as well as external advisers
• Providing information to internal and external partners, including auditors and regulatory bodies and effectively handling queries

4. Management

• This role will have line management responsibility for a junior team member, setting and monitoring objectives and managing feedback, appraisal and development processes. In addition, there will be opportunities to coach and support other team members.

You will need

You will have proven experience of dealing with directors and senior partners and of building strong working relationships cross-functionally in a listed company environment. Attention to detail and the ability to work well as a teammate will be key strengths. You will have strong commercial awareness and be able to think creatively to proactively offer ideas and solutions to support the evolving needs of the wider business.

In addition, you must:

• Be a qualified lawyer or chartered secretary (ICSA) – good knowledge of company law and governance requirements is critical;
• Have strong technical and analytical skills with ability to think broadly on a range of issues and apply sound judgement in problem solving;
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to deliver complex messages in a simple and creative way;
• Have strong project management, planning and organisational skills and able to work well under pressure, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines;
• Have the ability to collaborate closely with senior managers and Directors and proactively influence where appropriate;
• Be able to lead and adapt well to change in a constantly evolving retail environment; and,
• Have a tenacious and persistent approach with a focus on developing yourself and other members of the team.
• Be available either immediately or within a month's notice

About us