Assistant Company Secretary

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)
• Retirement savings plan - save between 4% and 7.5% and Tesco will match your contribution
• Life Assurance - 5 x contractual pay
• Great colleague deals and discounts, saving you money on everyday purchases, eating out and utility bills for the home
• 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

Click here to read more about the benefits we have available for our colleagues

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 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 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. Governance and Statutory Compliance

• Handling and advising the boards of Group subsidiaries and joint ventures, supporting with board meetings, governance initiatives and compliance with statutory reporting requirements in collaboration with cross-functional teams, the external auditors and overseas service providers;
• Advising on governance structures, processes and standard methodology;
• Reviewing and developing statutory compliance processes and procedures to reflect best practice and improve efficiency.

2. Tesco PLC Listed Company Obligations

• Taking a lead role in preparing for the Tesco PLC AGM;
• Supporting with the drafting of the Tesco PLC Annual Report;
• Maintain the relationship with the Group’s Registrars, coordinate retail shareholder matters and shareholder strategy, including in relation to Share Schemes;
• Handle PLC dividends and reinvestment schemes, small share dealing, asset reunification and share forfeiture processes; corporate sponsored and global nominee services;
• Preparing and releasing routine regulatory announcements;
• Supporting with queries from the business regarding regulatory compliance and continuing obligations;
• Provide support on matters relating to compliance with the Market Abuse Regime as the need arises.

3. Transactional and Project Support

• Providing company secretarial support on various projects, including liquidations, intra-group restructuring and capital reorganisations. Includes drafting and reviewing relevant documentation, due diligence, facilitating approval processes and taking care of post completion matters;
• Supporting on company secretarial and company law aspects of reserve planning projects;
• Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including Tax, Treasury, Legal and Property external advisers;
• Providing information to internal and external partners, including auditors and regulatory bodies and effectively handling queries.

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 needed;
• Have strong technical and analytical skills with ability to think broadly on a range of issues and apply good 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 interpersonal skills and able to work well under pressure, prioritise optimally and meet deadlines;
• Have the ability to liaise with senior managers and Directors and proactively influence where appropriate;
• Be able to lead and adapt well to change in a fast-changing retail environment; and,
• Have a tenacious and persistent approach with a focus on developing yourself and other members of the team.

About us