THE ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION

JOB DECRIPTION

Job Title:Head of Legal and Company Secretary (3 days per week)

Role Description:Senior Manager

Reporting to:President/School Director

Reporting Staff:Data Protection Officer and a Personal Assistant

Role Overview

The role of the Head of Legal and Company Secretary is a senior management role that supportsthePresidentof theArchitecturalAssociationby facilitatingthesmooth functioningof theAA Councilanditscommittees and management in the effective management of legal issues. It is an important role that sits at the interface of governance and management and acts as the custodian of the organisation’s integrity.

The role holder acts asthecustodianof theArchitecturalAssociation’sgoverningconstitution and ensures that the AA maintainscompliancewithitsobligations including the requirementsof reportingandpublicaccountability,charitylaw,companylaw,andanyotherrelevantlegislationor regulations as well as safeguardingtheeffectiveandefficientadministrationandfinancialstability of the organisation.

In addition, subject to the role and responsibilities of the School Director, the Company Secretary will work alongside the Senior Management Team (SMT)to provide leadership and management to the school as delegated by the School Director.

Operational Responsibilities

As the AA’s CompanySecretarythe role holder shall take:

  • Responsibilityfor thesmoothfunctioningof theArchitecturalAssociation’sgovernanceby facilitatingmeetingsof theAA Council anditssub-committeesandensuringappropriateongoingtrainingandevaluationof the AA CouncilandtheChiefExecutive.
  • Responsibilityfor servingasaninitialpointof contactfor theArchitecturalAssociation’sstakeholdersandotherinterested parties,andfor correspondenceon behalfof theAA Council.
  • Responsibilityfor circulatingagendas,supportingpapers,andmeetingminutesfor meetingsof theAA Councilandall sub-committeemeetingsingood time;andfor makingthearrangementsfor all meetingsof theAA Councilanditssub-committees.
  • Responsibilityfor maintainingtherecordofactionpointsdeterminedby theAA Council,andfor arrangingtimelycompletion andreportingwithrespecttodesignatedactions.
  • Responsibilityfor monitoringandremaining up-to-dateon therelevantlegislativeandregulatorychangesaffectingthe AA’sanditsactivities,andfor advisingtheAA Counciland ChiefExecutiveaccordingly.
  • Responsibilityfor maintainingtheArchitectural Association’scompliancewithcompanylaw,charitylaw,andVATlawinall aspectsof itsday-to-dayoperations.Suchresponsibilityincludesmakingcertain thattheArchitecturalAssociation’scommunications(stationary,emails,websites, orders,invoices,chequesandotherrelevantdocuments)provideallthedetails required.
  • Responsibility,incollaborationwiththe ArchitecturalAssociation’saccountant,auditors,andexternal legalcounsel,for the completionandfilingof theArchitecturalAssociation’send-of-yearaccountsand otherstatutoryreporting.
  • UndertakethedutiesandresponsibilitiesofCompanySecretaryfor thesubsidiariesof theArchitecturalAssociation,Inc.

Strategic Leadership & Management Responsibilities

The role holder will work with the members of the SMT to:

  • Provide strategic leadership and management, as delegated by the School Director
  • Lead delivery of academic quality enhancement
  • Handle all legal and regulatory issues efficiently and cost effectively making use of external counsel where required
  • Monitoring, reviewing and reporting on activities within the AA
  • Consider and enhance day-to-day management and strategic operations across all activities including budget, resources and staffing.
  • Ensure that the Council and the Academic Board are advised in order to support corporate and academic governance decision-making.
  • Lead the delivery of the AA’s strategic Plan, prepare and monitor, review and report progress on the AA’s annual operational planning.
  • Propose and manage an affordable, sustainable budgetary framework including the management of the AA’s reputation.
  • Enhance information provided to the School Community related to the efficient management and deployment of academic and other resources.
  • Identify, monitor and report on significant risks faced by the AA; implement risk management arrangements, prepare and manage the AA’s Risk Register.
  • Assist in identifying development, fundraising and partnership opportunities.
  • Support reporting staff and lead on review and appraisal process
  • Meet regularly with reporting staff and foster a coherent and cohesive approach to the management work of the AA.
  • Consider and manage sensitive and confidential matters, including operational budgets and matters with sensitive human resources, commercial or other implications.
  • Manage external and internal reporting; attend Council and Sub-Committee meetings; review and recommend actions identified at these meetings.
  • Liaise with Academic Board members, academic advisory and other working groups on the delivery of the academic strategy
  • Undertake other senior management-related duties, as identified and arise as part of the normal operational developments.

How to apply

If you would like to apply, please send a statement of interest and your cv along with salary expectations by post, or email to by Sunday 2ndJuly 2017. Please ensure that you state the title of the job you are applying for as the subject heading.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the uk

The Architectural Association School of Architecture aims to create conditions that ensure staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of their gender, race, religious/political beliefs, ethnic or national origin, disability, family background, age, sexual orientation, or other irrelevant distinction.