General Secretary

A position has arisen for the General Secretary of The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, based at the Guild’s Central Office in Staines-upon-Thames.

The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain is the leading Trade Association for the Travelling Fairground Industry, representing circa 3000 members and their families UK-wide.

It operates from its Central Office in Staines upon Thames with 10 regional Section offices across the UK.

Its members operate funfairs throughout the year from historical Charter Fairs; to Holiday Fairs and at most public outdoor events such as Festivals; Melas; Winter Wonderlands and Carnivals.

The position arises following the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for the Guild to respond to the pace of change in legislation and guidance at short notice.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as the chief administrative officer for the Guild.
• Liaise with the Guild’s professional advisors.
• Organise an annual parliamentary dinner, annual general meetings (AGMs), Central Council events and Committee (producing agendas, taking minutes, ensure compliance with decisions), update rule book.
• Chair the industry wide Operator’s Safety Committee.
• Maintain a large network of stakeholders including national and local politicians, other industry associations and regulatory bodies.
• Act as company secretary to a company limited by guarantee.
• Provide legal, financial and/or strategic advice to the organisation and board.
• Manage a secretariat office with three staff to include the Assistant General Secretary and PR and Marketing Manager and line manage ten regional secretaries.
• Manage all banking, insurance, and contractual matters.
• Act as estates and facilities manager for grade II listed building.
• Administer two substantial benevolent funds.
• Manage all pension issues.
• Arrange appropriate insurance cover.
• Act as data controller and GDPR officer.
• Oversee media relations programme and maintain website.
• Manage the Guild’s quasi-judicial internal disciplinary system working with Tribunal

 Barristers and oversee case preparation.

• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.

Person specification:

The successful candidate must:

• Be able to work on own initiative as well as collaborate with senior management team in joint projects.
• Have experience at a senior level, preferably within a general management, company secretarial or governance function.
• Must be a robust, articulate individual comfortable addressing large groups.
• Should be used to working under pressure and be able to balance competing interests.
• Should be a good networker who can build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Have excellent organisational and financial skills are essential and some legal knowledge would be an advantage, as would experience of industrial health & safety matters.

Qualifications:

• Would suit a full/part qualified ICSA chartered secretary or someone with a legal background.

Salary:

• Circa £80k.

For further information about The Showmen’s Guild, please visit our website.