Corporate Secretary executes and maintains all required official corporate filings, documents, reports and records according to applicable laws and regulations. Responsible for shareholder relations, communicating with Board members and coordinating shareholder lists and registrations. Being a Corporate Secretary researches and responds to shareholder requests for information. Manages the coordination of Board and shareholder meetings and the preparation of all necessary agendas and documents required for the meetings. Additionally, Corporate Secretary the incumbent in this role is usually an officer of the corporation. May require a Juris Doctor degree. Typically reports to top management. The Corporate Secretary manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. To be a Corporate Secretary typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)
At SITA, we are meeting the new needs of travel ... today. In an international high-performing culture, combining IT, Telecommunications, Air Transport and Critical Infrastructure, where people do great things together.
SITA is one of the world’s smallest multi-nationals. Our 4500 people are present across over 120 countries, in which we manage more than 350 legal entities. We serve an industry that is by its nature international. Our products and services are designed to support more efficient, easier, safer and greener air travel.
Under the overall accountability of the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary, SITA is looking for an experienced corporate lawyer/company secretary to lead a small team devoted to the corporate management of its subsidiaries, affiliates and branches across the globe.
On top of the functional skills and experience, this position requires a high sense of ownership, strong commercial acumen, the willingness to get into the detail while keeping a clear sense of direction and purpose and the ability to work with colleagues across all functions and in all corners of the world.
We are seeking to modernize and digitalize further our understanding of and access to corporate information and compliance so that it can be seen and reported in real-time. The role will involve challenging and influencing stakeholders, fostering relationships, and navigating complex, ambiguous situations to deliver transformative outcomes. It is also highly pragmatic in focus: this is about stuff that needs doing each day and needs to work.
Your Mission
In short, in this role you will be responsible for all month-to-month activity associated with the corporate management of SITA’s holding and subsidiaries, affiliates and branches across the globe.
In this role, you will be likely to interact with external counsel, commercial registries and other governmental authorities globally, and colleagues across the rest of the General Counsel function as well as Finance and the management of SITA’s business units and regional commercial teams.
You will directly manage a small team, currently comprising two other colleagues. You will be fully integrated into a great General Counsel function of 30 lawyers and other professionals looking after legal, regulatory and compliance matters of SITA across the globe.
Example of key responsibilities include:
Main Board Support
· Supporting the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary in advising the Board and Boards of all subsidiaries of their duties and obligations especially in complex or sensitive matters
· Working closely with the Board and Shareholder Relation team.
Corporate Officer Appointment, Empowerment, Training and Support
· Ensuring that all SITA’s subsidiaries, affiliates and branches across the globe have the requisite directors and officers (including ensuring compliance with requirements on qualifications, residence, nationality) and delegations of authority
· Providing appropriate training and support to all corporate officers, to ensure the right level of expertise in those holding these positions and the maintenance of the highest standards of professionalism in all appointments
Corporate Policy and Intra-Group Engagements
· Working closely with Finance (and especially the Tax Team) and external advisers, you will ensure that all business units and regions have clarity on the choice of entity for the transaction of business
· Working closely with Finance (and especially the Tax Team) and external advisers, you will also ensure that all necessary intra-group and inter-company financing, contracts and engagements are documented and complied with
Corporate Compliance, Records, Registries and Filings
· Opening and Closing of all entities
· Refreshing and maintaining a comprehensive database of corporate compliance, records, commercial and other registries and necessary filing for each subsidiary, affiliate and branch
· Dashboarding and reporting on compliance with corporate regulations and filings globally; ensuring this information is always up-to-date and secure, yet available to those who need to know
M&A and Related Integration
· Ensuring the necessary integration of corporate processes and support, following any M&A or similar activity
Do you recognize yourself ?
· Drive & Problem Solver : You’re ambitious, you work hard because you love it, you own things and get them done
· People-centric : You can boost employee morale and motivation through setting a clear vision, objectives and sense of pride in the work being done (even when you are not the line manager).
· Analytical Mind : You thrive on ambiguity. You challenge your assumptions, and those of others, you are able quickly to identify and formulate problems and their solutions, and support your analysis with data and reasoning
· Growth over Ego : You are eager to learn, and receive feedback to grow. You let others speak and seek to understand their viewpoints.
· Effective Communicator : at all levels – colleagues across all functions, advisors, regulatory & government entities, senior management and Board.
· Curious & Courageous: You are willing to ask, and be asked, tough questions
Your experience & skills
· Legally trained and experienced, you are likely also to hold a qualification from the Corporate Governance Institute or equivalent body. You understand financial principles and practices in a multi-national corporate context. And you probably already have 8 years relevant work experience
· Strong project management principles (task identification and prioritization, timeline management, results focus). But you don’t just manage, you “do” stuff !
· Analytical mindset with the ability to assess complex situations and develop appropriate strategies
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels
· Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
· Completely fluent in English (written and spoken); all other languages a real plus
SITA’s workplace is all about diversity, many different countries and cultures are represented in our workforce. We collaborate in our impressive offices, embracing a hybrid work format. As part of our global benefits, we offer:
🏡 Work Flexibility: Work from home up to 2 days/week (depending on your Team's needs).
You may wish to flex your arrival time at the office, to beat the rush hours or you may want to leave the office earlier to pick up your kids from school or to go to your favorite game: We support you in being open about your needs and routine with you manager.
🌿 Employee Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by SITA is a yearly free service for practical advice in any part of your life.
🚀 Professional Development: Unleash your potential with our training offers via Coursera!
🌎 Flex-location: Benefit for 30 working days from anywhere around the world each year!
🙌🏽 Competitive benefits according to the local market
SITA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse workforce. In support of our Employment Equity Program, women, aboriginal people, members of visible minorities, and/or persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and self-identify in the application process.