Job Introduction

Bradford Children and Families Trust was established in April 2023 to bring a step change in the quality and delivery of Children’s Services across our district.
Our purpose is clear - to ensure that our promise to improve the lives of children and young people in Bradford becomes a reality. It’s a tough ask. It requires dedication, determination, and resilience – but under a new Chief Executive, Senior Leadership team and an unswerving drive to deliver the best outcomes, we are confident that we will achieve our ambition.
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
About the role:
Here’s a summary of the main duties and responsibilities of the company secretary:

• The company secretary ensures effective corporate administration, regulatory compliance, and governance. Key duties include:
• Board & Committee Support: Compile agendas, papers, minutes, and action trackers, ensuring timely completion of actions. Maintain and update essential governance documents.
• Executive Support: Provide secretarial and operational assistance to the Chair, Executive Directors, and Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), managing tasks like NED timesheet sign-off.
• Meeting & Planning: Ensure forward planning of Board and Committee meetings 18 months in advance, including development days.
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Maintain corporate records, file returns with Companies House, inform of changes, and ensure legal compliance.
• Communication Facilitation: Act as a link between internal and external stakeholders, addressing inquiries, managing complaints, and handling communication.
• Policy Management: Oversee corporate policies, the Document Library, and assurance/governance processes.
• Miscellaneous: Handle any other tasks requested for the effective operation of the Trust.
• The role encompasses a broad range of administrative, legal, and governance responsibilities essential for the efficient functioning of the Trust. (See Job description)

About you
Essentially you will have:

• A good honours degree the ideally in accountancy and finance, business and management or law or equivalent experience.
• A recognised professional qualification in company secretarial practice or relevant field and/or willingness to undertake qualification.
• Experience of senior board level minute taking and maintaining accurate actions logs and records to ensure strong governance.
• Significant experience in a similar role within a public sector organisation or a regulated environment.
• Good written communication skills.
• Experience of producing high quality and accurate minutes, reports, which often reflect complex and sensitive issues and wider organisational documentation
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with people at all levels.
• Attention to detail and a well-organised approach to work, with a high degree of accuracy in document preparation and record-keeping.
• The ability to prioritise work, with minimum supervision in an organised efficient manner in order to maximise the effective use of both their own time and that of the Chair/Director or NED.
• Ability to use initiative compatible to the role and is able to multi-task whilst maintaining confidentiality at all levels at all times.

Benefits:

• Generous Employer Contributions in a Local Government Pension Scheme
• Competitive salary and pay progression structure.
• Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay
• Supportive carer and parental policies
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
• Supportive staff networks
• Access to Blue Light Card Discounts
• Professional development/support
• Career Progression
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement
• Flexible Working/Hybrid options subject to service need
• Hybrid Working Available: Yes

Want to know more?
For any queries or an informal discussion regarding the role please contact:
Stacey Reilly - PA to Director of Strategy and Governance
Email: stacey.reilly@bradfordcft.org.uk