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Job Title: Company Secretarial Assistant

Department: Company Secretarial, Legal

Location: 80 Strand, London. This is a hybrid working position however leans towards remote working.

Our Organisation

Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world’s leading learning company.

At Pearson (FTSE 100) we believe in the power of difference; harnessing the unique skills, perspectives, and backgrounds of every employee helps us foster innovation and create the most effective solutions for learners around the world. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do. We foster a work environment that’s inclusive and diverse — and where our people can be themselves — so we can reflect the customers and learners we serve. You can learn more about our commitment to a diverse and inclusive culture here:

https://plc.pearson.com/careers/diversity-equity-inclusion/

Summary of Role:

The Company Secretarial team comprises dedicated professionals focused on ensuring that Pearson complies with good corporate governance practices and associated laws and regulations. Pearson is a FTSE 100-listed company, with an ADR programme listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and entities in approximately 70 countries.

We are looking for a Company Secretarial Assistant to play a lead role in managing our group subsidiaries and driving the continued implementation of our global governance framework. In addition, you will work on a range of listed company and group-level activities including annual report and year-end processes, share capital management, intra-group transactions and corporate projects.

This is a varied role for an experienced and driven company secretarial professional, offering good development opportunities. You will have ownership and accountability for a number of aspects of the team’s work from day one, while working closely with the Senior Assistant Company Secretary who will provide guidance, coaching and advice in your day-to-day role.

Duties and responsibilities include:

Subsidiary entity management:

The role has direct day-to-day responsibility for UK entity management and requires close collaboration with colleagues and oversight of external providers in respect of US and Rest of World entities. Duties include:

• Maintain statutory records and associated filings for Pearson plc and UK subsidiaries in a timely and accurate manner, including through GEMS, working closely with the Company Secretarial Administrator
• Collaborate with colleagues and oversee external providers in respect of non-UK matters, including offering advice and input on complex topics, ensuring compliance with internal protocols and policies, seeking approvals, managing filings and supporting escalation where needed
• Oversee good standing status for US subsidiaries including the progress of monthly filings for registrations in all US states; maintain the relationship with our US registered agent and oversee correct billing
• Manage document approval requests relating to UK subsidiaries, including Powers of Attorney, Forms of Proxy, Inter-Company agreements, shareholder resolutions
• Support production and review of UK subsidiary company accounts in respect of company secretarial disclosures (i.e. shares, dividends, s172 statements etc)
• Support the Senior Assistant Company Secretary in respect of committee administration of the main UK operating entity, including production of meeting agendas, collating papers and minute-taking.

Global subsidiary governance:

• Maintain and develop global governance policies, including on Legal Entity Changes and duties of Global Governance Representatives, including supporting their implementation, monitoring compliance and updating as needed
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in global subsidiary governance practices
• Oversee the production and maintenance of group structure chart and answer related queries.

Projects and transactions:

Working under the guidance of Senior Assistant Company Secretary where appropriate, assist and advise on:

• Ad hoc corporate projects including group re-organisations, M&A activity, purchases of own shares, changes to subsidiary company articles, corporate governance and statutory audits etc
• Drafting and reviewing transaction documentation including, but not limited to, minutes, agreements / deeds, subscription letters, stock transfer forms, share certificates.

PLC / Group support:

• Assist with year-end duties related to Pearson plc’s annual report, AGM, 20-F and audit process
• Maintain restricted persons and insider lists; process clearance to deal requests
• Liaise with share registrar and ADR depositary bank including engagement with shareholder initiatives and maintaining accurate share capital records
• Assist with approvals and administration of share plans with respect to the company secretarial elements, liaising with the Share Plans team as required
• Assist with preparation and submission of stock exchange announcements and regulatory filings
• Maintain full and accurate records in support of controls owned by the Company Secretarial team
• Support Insurance team with D&O insurance renewal process

General:

• Regular review of existing processes, documentation and record-keeping, and updating or suggesting improvements where appropriate, with a particular focus on use of technology to drive improvements
• Ad hoc corporate governance projects
• Research and present findings on upcoming statutory and regulatory changes to the team, as required
• Assist in the review and maintenance of corporate website and departmental intranet page
• Respond to Company Secretariat inbox queries
• Provide any other assistance as may be required by the Company Secretary, Deputy Company Secretary, Senior Assistant Company Secretary or the department generally

Who are we looking for?

Skills and experience:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a Company Secretarial role, to include global subsidiary management and/or listed company experience
• CGI graduate or partly qualified preferred (or equivalent)
• Knowledge of GEMS or similar company secretarial software
• An interest in, and aptitude for, using technology to enhance work processes

Personal attributes:

• Self-motivated and pro-active, keen to get involved and contribute to the overall objectives of the department and wider business
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Good standards of accountability and ownership
• Able to demonstrate the highest standards of confidentiality, sensitivity and discretion
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Well-organised
• Resilient, flexible attitude with the ability to prioritise work from multiple sources
• Willing to drive own personal development and build profile with stakeholders

Your Benefits & Reward

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business! Along with learning, development and mentoring opportunities, our range of benefits can support the different needs of our diverse colleagues, and their families too. Joining our Pearson family can provide you with unlimited and truly global career progression options, and you can also look forward to exploring our impressive benefits, such as:

• Flexible options for work from home days.
• A starting holiday of 25 days plus UK public holidays, and you’ll earn 1 additional day’s holiday per year you work with us.
• Generous pension scheme where we match and double what you contribute.
• Maternity, paternity, and family care leave as well as flexible work policies.
• Shares and stock purchase options.
• Healthcare and dental plans, and an employee wellbeing assistance programme for you and your family to help balance work, family and personal life.
• Cycle to work program, gym membership concessions in selected office locations, along with retail and leisure discounts.

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [email protected].

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: LEGAL

Organization: Corporate Legal

Schedule: FULL\_TIME

Req ID: 12947