Senior Company Secretary | S4 | Corporate Governance Office | Milton Keynes

Senior Company Secretary | S4 | Corporate Governance Office | Milton Keynes

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

In this high-profile role as Senior Company Secretary, you will be a part of the UK Corporate Governance Office and will provide high quality governance support to a Board Committee and subsidiary boards.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OFFICE is looking for a SENIOR COMPANY SECRETARY based out of MILTON KEYNES.

You’ll be designing and implementing senior management directives in regulatory and statutory compliance and ensuring governance best practice throughout the Santander UK group. You’ll play a critical role in maintaining high standards, systems and procedures which will be constantly reviewed and improved upon. 

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Running of one Board level committee and subsidiary boards (including board committees) or management committee, including all preparation, taking minutes of meetings and distributing actions.

• Taking responsibility for your own portfolio of subsidiary legal entities.

• Implementing and overseeing compliance with the Subsidiary Governance Framework.

• Contributing to the annual report and financial statements programme.

• Providing specialist advice on statutory compliance and governance best practice, internal governance requirements and new business and legislative developments/projects.

• Work closely and build strong, effective relationships with Senior Management and Board members.

• Act as line manager to member(s) of the Corporate Governance Office Team, including identifying and facilitating development opportunities for them.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience

• Practical knowledge of corporate governance, including knowledge of the Companies Act 2006, the UK Corporate Governance Code, PRA/FCA governance requirements and listing rules, together with the associated excellent stakeholder management and diplomacy skills (Required).

• Experience of running a Board level Committee (Required).

• Experience of working effectively in a busy corporate governance or secretariat function (Required).

• Experience of working in a regulated environment, ideally financial services (Required).

• Experience of contributing to the annual report and financial statements programme (Required).

Education

• Membership of the Chartered Governance Institute as an Affiliate, Associate or Fellow, or equivalent (Required).

Languages

• English

Hard Skills

• Excellent attention to detail and written communication skills including strong minute writing (Required).

• Well-developed organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work efficiently under pressure and to tight deadlines (Required).

Soft Skills

• A positive attitude and the ability to work well in a team, interacting effectively with people at all levels of the organisation (Required).

• Line management experience (Required).

• Ability to mentor and develop more junior team members (Required).

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.
Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year

• £6,000 car allowance per year

• Company funded individual private medical insurance

• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.

• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans. 

• As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services

• Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.

• Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.

• Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.

• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.

• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location.

Right to work in the UK

• All candidates must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at resourcing@santander.co.uk.