Assistant Corporation Secretary in City of Westminster

Location: London

Department: Office of the CEO / Corporate

Reporting to: Chief of Staff

Job Grade: P1

ABOUT C4

Channel 4 is a publicly-owned and commercially-funded UK public service broadcaster, with a statutory remit to deliver high-quality, innovative, alternative content that challenges the status quo. Channel 4 was set up by the government with a unique model and remit that aims to stimulate the independent production sector, drive innovation in broadcasting and to commission programmes that showcase Britain in all of its diversity.

ROLE & JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and working closely with the Corporation Secretary, this role will provide an exemplary secretariat and administrative function for the Channel 4 Board, helping to ensure that Board business runs smoothly and efficiently and fulfils its statutory governance obligations. The Assistant Corporation Secretary will also provide some support to the wider work of the Office of the CEO. This is an important administrative role sitting at the heart of the organisation, requiring excellent organisational and relationship skills, suitable for an accomplished administrative professional with governance and secretariat skills who has a proven track record of supporting Executives and/or Board members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attending all Board meetings and Board Sub-Committee meetings (Remuneration Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, and others as required).
• Accurate recording, initial drafting and distribution of the Board and Board Sub-Committee Minutes; Recording and safe storage of all Minutes.
• Maintenance of an up-to-date forward agendas calendar for Board and Committees.
• Maintenance of Board actions list.
• Co-ordination and notification to Board and Channel 4 staff of Board and Committee dates and deadlines; diary liaison with Chair, NEDs and Executive EAs.
• Practical set up of Board meetings (in person and virtual, across Channel 4’s five office locations) and liaison with guest presenters.
• Working with Chief of Staff to ensure timely delivery and circulation of Board and Committee papers (including accessible versions).
• Management of Diligent Board paper management app, including day-to-day liaison with the service provider, as well as review/retendering of the service.
• Maintenance of a full contact list of Board members including Board member appointment dates, term of appointments, Board attendance and Board member biographies.
• Administrative support to Corporation Secretary on a range of governance requirements, including updating Terms of Reference; management of annual Ofcom Declarations and director emoluments; Annual Report and annual Effectiveness Review and Board skills audit.
• Ad-hoc governance research, carry out initial shortlist of Board evaluation external provider and drafting Chair meeting notes.
• Liaison with C4 Archiving Department on archiving of Board and committee papers.
• Support on arranging Board training & development, corporate briefings & Inductions as needed.
• Distribution of weekly and monthly information packs to Board members e.g. Weekly Risk List, Programme Highlights and Performance Packs.
• Administrative contact for Chair and NEDs including organising Tech support, management of expenses, travel and hotel bookings when required.
• Redacting Board minutes as relevant in response to FOI requests.
• Setting up of Purchase Orders and overseeing the invoicing process for Board related payments.
• Support Chief of Staff, when required, with Executive business administration e.g. circulation of Executive papers, occasional cover for Executive meeting minute-taking.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Proven experience of operating at Executive Secretary / Assistant Board Secretary level.
• Excellent administrative / secretariat skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail demonstrating a meticulous approach to all tasks.
• Ability to prioritise workload without supervision.
• Acts with discretion and the highest standards of integrity.
• Proven ability to deal with highly confidential information.
• Is courteous and diplomatic and displays good judgement.
• Interest in and broad understanding of good governance issues.
• Demonstrates the ability to listen actively and draft accurate Minutes.
• Ability to understand the organisational strategy and how that impacts on the wider organisation.
• Ability to think strategically in response to Board actions.
• Proven ability in dealing with senior colleagues and Board members.
• Technically confident and capable of operating in a digital environment.
• Understanding/experience of using and managing a content management/board portal (e.g. Diligent Boards).
• Understanding of the statutory requirements of the Channel 4 Corporation and responsibilities as a Public Service Broadcaster.
• Ability and flexibility to work at pace and respond to changing circumstances.
• Able to understand financial concepts, required for minute-taking (training will be provided in this area).

DESIRABLE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Associate or Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

Benefits

There are a million reasons why it’s great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you:

• Private medical insurance
• Free Virtual GP access for employees
• Free Female Health hormone test each year
• Free Tastecard membership
• Access to financial wellbeing resources
• Discounted Gym memberships
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Holiday Purchase
• Hybrid working From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week.

Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week.

Equal Opportunities

Channel 4’s purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK. We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Disability Confident Scheme: Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme - Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job.

Care Leaver Friendly Employer: Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/adults.

Workplace Adjustments: We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers.