Assistant Company Secretary

Hello. We’re Haleon. A new world-leading consumer health company. Shaped by all who join us. Together, we’re improving everyday health for billions of people. By growing and innovating our global portfolio of category-leading brands – including Sensodyne, Panadol, Advil, Voltaren, Theraflu, Otrivin, and Centrum – through a unique combination of deep human understanding and trusted science. What’s more, we’re achieving it in a company that we’re in control of. In an environment that we’re co-creating. And a culture that’s uniquely ours. Care to join us. It isn’t a question.

With category leading brands such as Sensodyne, Voltaren and Centrum, built on trusted science and human understanding, and combined with our passion, knowledge and expertise, we’re uniquely placed to do this and to grow a strong, successful business.

This is an exciting time to join us and help shape the future. It’s an opportunity to be part of something special.

About the role

Assistant Company Secretary, Global Subsidiaries within Haleon’s Corporate Secretariat. This role will primarily lead on subsidiary governance for the Haleon group of companies and be responsible for providing leadership on overall service delivery, overseeing and managing the efficient administration of all entities in the Group (approx. 150 legal entities across 61 countries) and overseeing compliance by each entity with statutory, regulatory and governance requirements. The role will also be responsible for establishing a subsidiary governance framework for Haleon’s recently launched Business Services unit operating across India and Poland. 

This role will provide some oversight of two Company Secretarial Assistants offering direct management, mentorship and development.

This role will require the ability to work with colleagues in central HQ functions and global & in-country functions alongside external service providers such as law firms and auditors. The role holder will be proactive, willing to challenge processes and assist in driving change in line with the Corporate Secretariat’s roadmap.

Key Accountabilities 

Global Subsidiary Management 

• Identification and enhancement of the governance processes, controls and ways of working within the Corporate Secretariat team and review and where necessary draft and establish Haleon subsidiary management policies and frameworks;
• oversee and manage the international governance framework to support entity formation, dissolution, registration and director and officer changes in a timely, efficient and compliant manner;
• oversee international affiliate governance matters, including the function’s support of all aspects of corporate administration including document execution, updates to authorised signatories, proxies, notarisation/legalisation of documents and KYC/information requests;
• lead on global director training and induction programmes;
• support senior internal stakeholders with company secretarial matters, including governance best practice initiatives;
• support Treasury team with executing capital injections, global dividend processes and bond and debt issuances;
• manage the use of other third-party vendors (local legal counsels or local corporate secretariat providers) in a cost-effective manner to support compliance objectives related to subsidiary management;
• responsible for review of the UK subsidiary governance reports and all Companies House filings requirements; 
• provide support in respect of Group projects, reorganisations, rationalisations and transactions (M&A) as required;
• manage relationship with EY, partner to Haleon for governance technology including entity management system and document execution tool; and
• organise and conduct subsidiary board meetings (where necessary) including drafting suitable proposals, producing minutes and communicating decisions to all those concerned with implementation /observance.

Additional responsibilities and projects

• Assisting in the preparation of the Haleon plc Annual Report including, as necessary, drafting sections of the Financial Statements, Directors’ Report and Shareholder Information in line with the role’s Key Accountabilities;
• keeping abreast of changing company and corporate law and other regulatory requirements in the UK and other jurisdictions, and corporate governance practice generally (including in regulatory bodies and the professions);
• support with ensuring that the department keeps pace with developing and emerging best practice, new legislation, regulatory and corporate governance developments
• assisting in the review and simplification of legacy GSK processes to ensure efficiency, fitness for purpose and alignment to Haleon’s risk appetite, including evaluating digital offerings to enable maturity of Corporate Secretariat operations; and
• assisting the Company Secretary and Deputy Company Secretary with projects and tasks, as appropriate.

Skills and experiences

• Chartered Governance Institute (CGI or equivalent) qualified with proven post-qualification experience in a corporate secretariat function (experience working within a global group is an advantage);
• thorough knowledge of Companies Act 2006 and all ancillary regulations along with company secretarial practices and procedures;
• experience in managing projects from inception through to delivery and be comfortable advising on all matters relating to subsidiary governance
• strong day–to–day managerial skills;
• strong written and verbal communication skills;
• strong planning and organisational skills with an attention to detail;
• excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills;
• good knowledge of entity management systems and Microsoft Office; and
• ability to think strategically and commercially, whilst balancing business needs and constraints.

Care to join us. Find out what life at Haleon is really like www.haleon.com/careers/

At Haleon we embrace our diverse workforce by creating an inclusive environment that celebrates our unique perspectives, generates curiosity to create unmatched understanding of each other, and promotes fair and equitable outcomes for everyone. We're striving to create a climate where we celebrate our diversity in all forms by treating each other with respect, listening to different viewpoints, supporting our communities, and creating a workplace where your authentic self belongs and thrives. We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

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Haleon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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