UK

United Kingdom · Compliance, quality and safety · Director/VP (16-20 years)

Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary

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  • Experience bandDirector/VP (16-20 years)
  • Direct reports3-8 reports
  • Reports toGroup Company Secretary
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Deputy Company Secretary (Governance) · Head of Board Support (Audit & Risk) · VP, Corporate Governance (Compliance) · Director, Audit & Assurance Secretariat

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

iCQ Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership iCan Qualifications Limited · Level 7 · covers 1 of 7 standards
SFEDI Awards Level 3 Certificate in Business Innovation, Sustainability and Growth SFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards · Level 3 · covers 1 of 7 standards
SFEDI Awards Level 3 Award in Business Innovation, Sustainability and Growth SFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards · Level 3 · covers 1 of 7 standards
GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 5 · covers 1 of 7 standards
CICM Level 5 Diploma in Credit and Collections Management Chartered Institute of Credit Management · Level 5 · covers 1 of 7 standards
NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Trade Unions Today NOCN · Level 2 · covers 2 of 7 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Establish organisational governance controls iCQ Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership
Complying with Statutory Regulations and Organisational Safety Requirements SFEDI Awards Level 3 Certificate in Business Innovation, Sustainability and Growth
Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management
Compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements CICM Level 5 Diploma in Credit and Collections Management
Understanding your Pension Scheme NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Trade Unions Today

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Automation Fluency building AI into how work runs
Systems Fluency seeing the whole picture
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary

5 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Establish organisational governance controls iCan Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 7 standards Level 7
  2. Complying with Statutory Regulations and Organisational Safety Requirements SFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards · covers 1 of 7 standards Level 3
  3. Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 7 standards Level 5
  4. Compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements Chartered Institute of Credit Management · covers 1 of 7 standards Level 5
  5. Understanding your Pension Scheme NOCN · covers 2 of 7 standards Level 2
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • ESG Governance & Reporting Expertise
  • Digital Governance & AI Ethics Oversight
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary plan as you set up, starting with the free Data Fluency module. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

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Keep this read. One email with what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for and where to start free. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

3What this role really is

This role manages the Audit Committee and shapes governance across the organisation, guiding the board through regulatory requirements and protecting the company's reputation.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Diligent Boards / Nasdaq Boardvantage (or similar) Strategic

You'll lead the strategic use and optimisation of our board portal, designing enterprise-wide governance workflows, integrating with other GRC systems, and leading vendor selection/renewal discussions. You'll ensure the platform fully supports the Audit Committee's needs and security requirements.

ServiceNow GRC / Archer GRC Suite (or similar) Architect

You'll define the GRC data strategy for board reporting, influencing module implementation to ensure the platform effectively supports strategic risk oversight and compliance reporting for the Audit Committee. You'll work with IT to ensure data integrity and reporting capabilities.

MS SharePoint (with Sensitivity Labels) / Intralinks Strategic

You'll set enterprise policy for board-level information handling and secure collaboration, liaising with the CISO on security protocols, and approving new collaboration tools to ensure the highest level of data protection for sensitive committee materials.

Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence / Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions Strategic

You'll use these platforms to inform the Audit Committee's forward agenda, proactively identifying emerging regulatory risks (especially in CQHS, finance, and cyber) before they become mainstream issues, and briefing the Chair on their potential impact.

MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote) Strategic

You'll establish and enforce templates and best practices for all board-level documentation across the enterprise, ensuring consistency, clarity, and professionalism. You'll use advanced features to manage complex documents and presentations, and OneNote for strategic meeting preparation.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Governance Policy & Framework Design N/A N/A You'll lead the design and implementation of new governance policies and frameworks, proposing them to the Group Company Secretary and Board for approval. You'll own the execution.
Audit Committee Agenda Setting N/A N/A You'll proactively develop and propose the Audit Committee's forward agenda, consulting closely with the Chair, CFO, and CAE. You'll have significant influence over what topics are prioritised and when.
Team Hiring & Performance Management N/A N/A You'll have full hiring authority for roles within your direct team, up to Senior Audit Committee Secretary level. You'll manage their performance, development, and compensation within approved budgets.
Vendor Selection (Governance Tools) N/A N/A You'll lead the evaluation and selection of governance-related software and services (e.g., board portals, GRC platforms) up to £50K, with recommendations for larger investments going to the Group Company Secretary.
Regulatory Interpretation & Advice N/A N/A You'll provide expert interpretation of complex regulatory requirements (e.g., Companies Act, UK Corporate Governance Code, specific CQHS regulations) and advise the Audit Committee on their implications and necessary actions.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Board Effectiveness Review Scores (Audit Committee)
Year-over-year improvement in independent board effectiveness review scores specifically related to the Audit Committee's support and information quality.
Target · Achieve a year-over-year improvement of >10% in relevant sections of the Board Effectiveness Review.

If last year's score for 'Quality of Audit Committee Papers' was 3.8/5, we'd expect to see it at 4.2/5 or higher this year, based on the initiatives you've driven.

Regulatory Compliance Incident Rate (Audit-related)
Reduction in the number of regulatory breaches or findings directly attributable to gaps in Audit Committee oversight or governance processes.
Target · Zero material regulatory fines or public censures related to audit, financial reporting, or internal controls.

Successfully navigating a complex new financial reporting standard without any adverse comments from external auditors or regulators, avoiding potential fines of £500K+.

Timeliness of Board Pack Distribution
Percentage of Audit Committee meeting packs distributed within the agreed-upon timeframe (e.g., 7 days prior to meeting).
Target · Maintain >98% on-time distribution of all Audit Committee board packs.

For 4 quarterly meetings and 2 ad-hoc sessions, 5 out of 6 packs were distributed on time, meaning 83% – which would be too low. We aim for near perfection here.

Completion Rate of Audit Committee Action Items
Percentage of action items assigned by the Audit Committee that are closed out by the agreed deadlines.
Target · Achieve >90% completion rate for Audit Committee action items within their specified due dates.

Out of 30 actions logged in Q1, 28 were completed on time, and the 2 outstanding had clear, board-approved extensions. That's a 93% rate, which is good.

Strategic Governance Counsel
Your ability to provide proactive, insightful advice to the Audit Committee Chair and members on emerging governance trends, regulatory changes, and best practices.
  • You're regularly consulted by the Chair on forward agenda planning. Your input is sought on new policy developments. You're seen as a trusted advisor, not just a process manager. The Audit Committee relies on your briefings for complex issues.
Stakeholder Confidence & Trust
The level of confidence key internal and external stakeholders (CFO, CAE, External Auditors) have in your governance processes and the integrity of information presented to the Audit Committee.
  • You receive unsolicited positive feedback from the CFO or CAE on the quality of support. External auditors highlight your efficiency and thoroughness. There are no 'surprises' for the Audit Committee because you've managed the information flow effectively. People come to you for advice on sensitive matters.
Team Leadership & Development
Your effectiveness in leading, mentoring, and developing your direct reports, building a high-performing governance team.
  • Your team members are actively progressing in their careers, taking on more responsibility. They feel supported and challenged. You have a clear succession plan for key roles. Your team consistently delivers high-quality work, even when you're focused on strategic initiatives.
Risk Anticipation & Mitigation
Your ability to identify potential governance, compliance, or reporting risks before they materialise and propose effective mitigation strategies to the Audit Committee.
  • You proactively add topics to the forward calendar based on emerging regulatory trends. You flag potential conflicts of interest or control weaknesses early. Your insights help the Audit Committee steer clear of potential pitfalls, rather than reacting to them.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Impact on Organisational Integrity

You'll feel a deep satisfaction knowing your work directly contributes to the ethical backbone and regulatory compliance of the entire company. Every robust governance process you implement, every clear minute you draft, strengthens our foundation.

Successfully guiding the Audit Committee through a complex new regulatory reporting standard, knowing your efforts prevented potential fines and reputational damage.

Strategic Influence at the Highest Level

You'll regularly engage with the Board and C-Suite, providing critical advice that shapes strategic decisions around risk, finance, and compliance. You're not just executing; you're advising the people who set the company's direction.

The Audit Committee Chair regularly seeks your input on the forward agenda, valuing your perspective on emerging governance risks and opportunities.

Leading and Developing a Specialist Team

You'll get to build, mentor, and empower a team of governance professionals, seeing them grow and take on more complex responsibilities under your guidance. Their success is your success.

Seeing a junior team member you've mentored successfully manage a complex board paper submission process for the first time, with minimal oversight.

What frustrates people
  • The relentless chase for late board papers from senior executives, often requiring you to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines.
  • Dealing with 'urgent' last-minute changes to board packs after they've already been distributed, leading to frantic re-circulation and explanation.
  • The high-wire act of accurately minuting contentious board debates, capturing dissent and rationale without inflaming political tensions.
  • Being perceived as 'just admin' by those who don't understand the strategic importance and legal weight of the Company Secretary function.
  • The sheer mental exhaustion of proofreading hundreds of pages of dense material, knowing a single typo or factual error could be a major issue.
  • Managing the expectations of multiple, powerful stakeholders who often have conflicting priorities or interpretations of governance best practice.
What this role does not give you
  • A '9-to-5' routine, especially around board meeting cycles.
  • Constant public accolades; much of your work is about preventing problems, which often goes unnoticed.
  • Complete autonomy without needing to consult or gain consensus from multiple senior parties.
  • A role where you're always the one making the final strategic business decision (you advise, the board decides).
  • The chance to build products or directly drive sales revenue (your impact is indirect but profound).

8Who you work with

This role is absolutely critical. You're not just supporting; you're shaping the governance culture of the entire business. Your work directly impacts our regulatory standing, investor relations, and our ability to manage enterprise-level risks effectively. Essentially, you're building the guardrails that keep the company on the right track, protecting our licence to operate and our long-term value.

Inside the business
  • Audit Committee Chair and Members (Non-Executive Directors)
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Finance Leadership Team
  • Chief Audit Executive (CAE) and Internal Audit Team
  • Chief Risk Officer (CRO) and Enterprise Risk Management
  • Legal Counsel and General Counsel
  • CEO and Executive Leadership Team
Outside the business
  • External Auditors (e.g., Big Four firms)
  • Regulators (e.g., FCA, PRA, HSE, ICO)
  • Institutional Investors and Proxy Advisors
  • Industry Bodies and Professional Associations
  • Governance Consultants and Legal Advisors

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • Proven track record of at least 10-12 years in a senior company secretarial or governance role, with significant exposure to Audit Committee support.
  • Demonstrable experience in designing and implementing corporate governance frameworks for a listed company or large, complex organisation.
  • Extensive experience managing and developing a team of governance professionals.
  • A deep, practical understanding of financial reporting, internal controls, and enterprise risk management.
  • Exceptional ability to draft legally robust and highly accurate board minutes and governance documentation.
  • Experience in advising senior executives and non-executive directors on complex governance and regulatory matters.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced GRC Platform Optimisation

Critical within 12 months. GRC platforms are becoming more integrated and sophisticated. You'll need to move beyond just using them for reporting to actively designing and optimising their configuration to provide real-time, strategic insights for the Audit Committee, linking risk, audit, and compliance data seamlessly.

Integrated Risk Reporting · Automated Control Monitoring · Data Visualisation for Governance · GRC System Integration

  • This month: Meet with our GRC system administrator to understand current capabilities and limitations.
  • Next quarter: Identify one key area where GRC reporting to the Audit Committee could be significantly improved.
  • Month 3-6: Work with your team and IT to design and implement a new GRC dashboard or reporting module.
  • Month 6-9: Present the enhanced GRC reporting to the Audit Committee, gathering feedback for further optimisation.

Quick win: Explore advanced reporting features within our current GRC platform. Look for online tutorials or user groups for best practices in GRC dashboard design.

AI-Driven Document Analysis & Synthesis

Important within 12-18 months. The volume of regulatory documents, internal reports, and board papers is only growing. AI tools that can quickly analyse, summarise, and extract key insights from vast amounts of text will become indispensable, allowing you to focus on critical analysis and strategic advice rather than manual review.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) · Generative AI for Summarisation · Entity Recognition & Extraction · Prompt Engineering for Governance

  • This month: Experiment with public generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) to summarise a complex regulatory document.
  • Next quarter: Identify a specific governance task (e.g., reviewing a new policy draft) where AI could significantly assist.
  • Month 3-6: Pilot a secure, enterprise-grade AI document analysis tool with your team for a specific use case.
  • Month 6-9: Document the time savings and accuracy improvements from using AI for document analysis, sharing best practices with your peers.

Quick win: Start using AI for drafting routine emails or summarising meeting transcripts (if secure tools are available). Encourage your team to experiment with AI for initial research tasks.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend CGIUKI conferences, workshops, and thought leadership events to stay abreast of the latest governance trends and regulatory changes.
  • Engage with industry peer groups and networks to share best practices and benchmark our governance processes.
  • Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) in areas like ESG reporting, cyber governance, and AI ethics to future-proof your skills.
  • Contribute to governance publications or speak at industry events, positioning yourself as a thought leader.
  • Mentor junior governance professionals, giving back to the profession and developing your leadership skills.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

ESG Governance & Reporting Expertise

Critical within 12 months. Investors, regulators, and employees are demanding far greater transparency and accountability around Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. The Audit Committee's remit is expanding beyond just financial reporting to include robust oversight of non-financial metrics and disclosures. New regulations (e.g., CSRD in Europe, TCFD/ISSB standards) are making this a mandatory, complex area.

  • Double Materiality
  • Integrated Reporting (IIRC)
  • TCFD / ISSB Standards
  • ESG Data Assurance
  • Stakeholder Capitalism Principles

Digital Governance & AI Ethics Oversight

Important within 18 months. As the company increasingly uses AI, automation, and digital platforms, the Audit Committee will need to oversee the associated risks: data privacy, algorithmic bias, cyber security, and ethical use of technology. You'll be instrumental in shaping the board's understanding and oversight of these complex areas.

  • AI Governance Frameworks
  • Algorithmic Bias & Fairness
  • Cyber Resilience & Data Integrity
  • Digital Ethics Policies
  • Automated Decision-Making Oversight

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Defensible Minute Taking & Record Keeping
  • Corporate Governance Frameworks (COSO, ISO 31000, UKCG Code)
  • Board & Committee Dynamics
  • Stakeholder Sequencing & Management
  • Forward Agenda Planning & Strategic Foresight
  • Internal Controls & Financial Reporting Oversight

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Assistant Company Secretary (Large Organisation)

    3-5 years in this role

    Skills to master

    • Deepen expertise in all aspects of board support, manage multiple committees, develop strong stakeholder management skills with senior executives, and begin to mentor junior staff. Get comfortable with complex regulatory interpretation.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully managed the full cycle for multiple board committees independently.
    • Consistently received excellent feedback from Committee Chairs and senior executives.
    • Demonstrated ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion.
    • Proven ability to lead small projects or initiatives within the company secretarial function.
  2. 2

    Head of Governance / Legal Counsel (Specialist Governance)

    5-7 years in this role

    Skills to master

    • Focus on designing and implementing governance frameworks, providing legal advice on corporate law and regulatory compliance, and managing governance projects. Develop a strategic understanding of enterprise risk management and internal controls.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Led the implementation of a significant new governance policy or framework.
    • Provided critical legal or governance advice that influenced senior management decisions.
    • Managed relationships with external legal counsel and regulators effectively.
    • Demonstrated ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical business solutions.
  3. 3

    Senior Manager, Internal Audit / Risk & Compliance

    7-10 years in this role

    Skills to master

    • Gain a deep, hands-on understanding of internal controls, risk assessment methodologies, and compliance program management. Develop strong analytical and investigative skills. This path provides a different lens on the Audit Committee's oversight areas.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully managed complex internal audit engagements or risk assessments.
    • Presented findings and recommendations to senior management and potentially the Audit Committee.
    • Demonstrated strong understanding of financial reporting and operational risks.
    • Proven ability to drive improvements in control environments or compliance processes.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to the top of the governance profession within a company, or to work as an independent advisor or board member.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

Also named as a next step, with no page in the catalogue yet:

  • Chief Compliance Officer / Chief Risk Officer

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Establish organisational governance controls, worked against Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary.

Establish organisational governance controls Level 7

Applied to your work in Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary

This unit aims to provide learners with an understanding of organisational governance controls, including compliance requirements and the legal and regulatory framework. Learners will be able to establish effective governance controls within an organisation to ensure adherence to relevant legislation and standards, mitigating potential risks and promoting stakeholder confidence.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary
  • Defensible Minute Taking & Record Keeping
  • Corporate Governance Frameworks (COSO, ISO 31000, UKCG Code)
  • Board & Committee Dynamics
  • Stakeholder Sequencing & Management
  • Forward Agenda Planning & Strategic Foresight
  • Internal Controls & Financial Reporting Oversight
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Group Company Secretary

    3-5 years

    L7 (C-Suite)

    • Advanced knowledge of capital markets regulations and stock exchange rules.
    • Expertise in international corporate governance practices for global operations.
    • Strategic oversight of subsidiary governance structures.
    • Crisis management communication from a governance perspective.

  2. Chief Compliance Officer / Chief Risk Officer

    4-6 years

    L7 (C-Suite)

    • Expertise in all relevant regulatory regimes (beyond just governance).
    • Advanced risk modelling and quantitative risk assessment techniques.
    • Designing and overseeing robust compliance monitoring and testing programmes.
    • Crisis response and regulatory investigation management.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, the sheer volume of information and the meticulous nature of governance work can be overwhelming. But here's the thing: AI isn't just for techies anymore. It's a powerful co-pilot that can dramatically cut down on the tedious, repetitive tasks, freeing you up to focus on the strategic, high-value work that truly matters for the Audit Committee.

For a Director of Governance, AI isn't about replacing your judgment; it's about augmenting it. Imagine having an intelligent assistant that can digest hundreds of pages of regulatory updates, summarise complex reports, and even draft initial communications. That's not science fiction; it's what you'll be doing here, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in corporate governance.

AI-Enhanced Minute Drafting & Review

Use AI transcription and summarisation tools during meetings to generate highly accurate transcripts and initial minute drafts. This means you spend less time on manual note-taking and more time refining the strategic narrative, ensuring legal defensibility and precision. You'll also use AI to cross-reference minutes against previous discussions, spotting inconsistencies instantly.

Proactive Regulatory Intelligence & Impact Analysis

Leverage AI-driven regulatory intelligence platforms to automatically scan global and local updates, identifying changes specifically relevant to our CQHS sector and financial reporting. AI will then draft initial impact assessments, highlighting key changes for the Audit Committee's pre-reading, allowing you to anticipate risks rather than react to them.

Strategic Knowledge Retrieval & Synthesis

Connect generative AI search tools to our secure internal document repositories (e.g., board portals, GRC platforms). This lets you instantly retrieve and summarise past board decisions, discussions, or reports on any given topic (e.g., 'What were the Audit Committee's concerns regarding cyber risk in Q3 2023?'). It's like having a perfect institutional memory at your fingertips.

Automated Governance Communication & Reporting

Use AI assistants to draft initial versions of routine governance communications, such as follow-up emails to action owners, requests for information, or even sections of annual governance reports. This frees up your team to focus on the nuanced, sensitive communications that require a human touch and strategic oversight.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary?

Common routes in include Assistant Company Secretary (Large Organisation) (3-5 years in this role), Head of Governance / Legal Counsel (Specialist Governance) (5-7 years in this role) and Senior Manager, Internal Audit / Risk & Compliance (7-10 years in this role). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary progress to?

This role can lead on to Group Company Secretary (3-5 years) and Chief Compliance Officer / Chief Risk Officer (4-6 years), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director of Governance & Audit Committee Secretary?

Increasingly, ESG Governance & Reporting Expertise and Digital Governance & AI Ethics Oversight. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

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17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in compliance, quality and safety

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

Expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and board dynamics transfers well. Similar senior governance roles exist in other regulated industries such as financial services, pharmaceuticals or energy, in large private companies, and in public sector bodies. The principles of good governance stay the same even when the regulations differ.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Data Fluency module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.