Company Secretarial Assistant & Corporate Paralegal

Description
We are seeking a versatile and enthusiastic individual to join our busy legal team based at the Cambridge office.  This role is office-based, 5 days a week.  The team comprises the Group Legal Counsel & Company Secretary, two other solicitors, a contracts manager and a legal administrative assistant, and supports all businesses and locations in the Group.  

The purpose of this role is to provide effective company secretarial, corporate governance and broader paralegal support to the Group Legal Counsel & Company Secretary and the wider business, ensuring that Science Group and its subsidiaries comply with applicable statutory, regulatory and corporate governance requirements.  

The successful candidate will be proactive, willing to take on a broad range of work, and confident in liaising with colleagues of all levels of the business, in addition to demonstrating high standards of organisation and attention to detail.  They will need to quickly develop an understanding of the Group’s various businesses, key individuals and priorities.  
Key Responsibilities

Assist with preparation for monthly Board meetings and related Board packs

Assist with the annual general meeting including preparation of the AGM notice and related documentation.

Support the Group Legal Counsel with the maintenance of the corporate website in accordance with AIM Rule 26. 

Support the Group Legal Counsel in maintaining and developing the Company’s corporate governance framework, policies and procedures, ensuring documentation reflects current requirements and practice

Assist with the preparation of the annual report and accounts, including the corporate governance statement, directors’ report and other relevant disclosures.

Maintain statutory registers for subsidiaries across various jurisdictions, including registers of members, directors, secretaries, persons with significant control (PSC) and other relevant records, as applicable.

Prepare and submit statutory filings to Companies House, including changes to directors, confirmation statements, share capital and other relevant filings.

Coordinate subsidiary company administration, including board meetings for routine matters. 

Assist the Group Legal Counsel with documentation, public announcements and filings relating to listed company and regulatory matters such as buybacks, share options, Market Abuse Regulations and other compliance matters.

Monitor changes in relevant legislation, regulation, listing requirements and corporate governance guidance, highlighting developments that may affect the Company.
Other areas:

Assist the Group Legal Counsel with the Group’s annual corporate insurance renewals and liaise with the Group’s insurance brokers on day to day queries.

Assist the Group Legal Counsel with tenant matters, facilities contracts and leases across the Group’s locations.

Manage the Group’s IP portfolio in conjunction with the Group Legal Counsel.

Provide day-to-day administrative and organisational support to the Group Legal Counsel.

Assist with corporate transactions, due diligence and other strategic projects as required.

Work collaboratively with the rest of the legal team, Finance, HR and other back office functions.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Strong academic credentials; degree level beneficial but not essential.

Previous experience in a company secretarial, corporate governance or relevant paralegal role.

Good working knowledge of UK company law and Companies House filing requirements.

An understanding of corporate governance principles. 

Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Excellent written communication skills, high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability to handle confidential and commercially sensitive information with discretion.

Strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to liaise professionally with directors, senior management and external advisers.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Outlook.

Due to industry requirements, eligibility for UK Government Security Check (SC) clearance is a prerequisite for this role. As part of the clearance process, candidates will normally be expected to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of five years.

Benefits
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package