At a Glance
- Tasks: Establish and operate an effective governance framework for a new business area.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leader in retirement savings with over 200 years of experience.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £95,000, private medical cover, 38 days leave, and excellent pension.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value curiosity, connection, and accountability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on governance and decision-making at a strategic level.
- Qualifications: Qualified company secretary with strong governance experience, ideally in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 95000 £ per year.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: This role is Hybrid with a home location in our London office.
Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Closing Date: Friday 7th August 2026
Salary and benefits: Starting at £95,000 with an indicative bonus range of 30-60%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.
Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
The role: As Senior Assistant Company Secretary, you’ll play a key role in establishing, implementing and operating an effective governance framework for a strategically important new business area within the Standard Life Group. Working closely with the Board, Chair, executive leadership team and shareholder representatives, you’ll provide expert governance advice, insight and constructive challenge to support high-quality decision-making, regulatory compliance, risk management and strong Board stewardship.
You’ll be responsible for building strong governance foundations from the outset, including Board and Committee structures, delegated authorities, terms of reference, governance policies, statutory records and decision-making frameworks. You’ll also lead the planning and delivery of Board, Committee and shareholder meetings, ensuring agendas, papers, minutes, actions and reporting are clear, timely and effective.
This is a varied and influential role where you’ll monitor governance, regulatory and legislative developments, identify opportunities to improve governance practices, oversee governance-related risks and controls, and support Board and Committee effectiveness through annual planning, director induction and ongoing governance education.
You’ll also be part of the wider Standard Life Company Secretarial team, sharing best practice, maintaining high standards and helping to create a culture of transparency, accountability, continuous improvement and governance excellence across the new business area.
What are we looking for?
- A qualified company secretary, holding the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland qualification or equivalent.
- Strong company secretarial and corporate governance experience, ideally gained in financial services or another highly regulated environment.
- Experience supporting Boards, Committees, senior leaders and/or shareholder representatives, including agenda planning, paper governance, minutes and action tracking.
- The ability to build trusted relationships, influence senior stakeholders and provide clear, constructive governance advice and challenge.
- Strong judgement, resilience, attention to detail and the confidence to manage complex governance matters in a fast-paced environment.
We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you.
If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
Senior Assistant Company Secretary employer: Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)
Standard Life is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where BPA Actuaries can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the life insurance sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive salaries, and an attractive benefits package that includes private medical cover and generous annual leave, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, making it an ideal workplace for those seeking both professional development and personal fulfilment.
Contact Details:
Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Assistant Company Secretary
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Assistant Company Secretary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
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Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group). Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)
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✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group), especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
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In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
