Job Description

Are you ready to kick-start your career in corporate governance? We're offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join our Group Secretariat team in a brand new apprenticeship for the team. We'll provide hands-on experience in the vital functions of corporate governance, compliance, and board administration.

An apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity to build your career, you'll work in a large and highly rated organisation and gain professional business qualifications at the same time. You'll be studying the apprenticeship for 18 months alongside your day-to-day role, enabling you to apply new skills, knowledge and behaviours in the workplace.

You'll dedicate approximately 6 hours of your working week to the apprenticeship, attending online workshops, studying and work-based projects. Expert tutors will support and guide you through your apprenticeship programme from enrolment through to End Point Assessment. Upon completion of your apprenticeship, you'll gain the Governance Officer Level 4 apprenticeship qualification.

Working Hours & Shift Pattern: Full time, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of your learning pathway, we're unable to fulfil parttime or flexible work patterns.

Induction & Training: Your apprenticeship will start in September 2024 following an induction with the training provider.

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least 40% of your week away from home with a minimum of 2 days a week in our London office.

What you'll be doing:

• Support administration of board and committee meetings, preparing agendas and tracking/ updating actions from meetings.


• Assist in ensuring timely delivery of board papers. Using Diligent electronic board portal to prepare/ circulate meeting packs.


• Aid in maintenance of statutory records using Diligent Entities, producing first drafts of statutory returns for sign off, producing and filing statutory returns.


• Support delivery of statutory accounts year-end process, assisting preparations and proof reading final accounts.


• Ad-hoc corporate administration tasks and projects, including drafting minutes, resolutions and documents.


• Information collation and dissemination in response to audit requests, KYC requests and any other applicable needs.


• Organisation of electronic and hard copy records maintained within Company Secretariat, ensuring compliance with relevant retention periods., We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of our people in protecting what matters most to our customers. In exchange we offer a series of core and supporting benefits designed to empower our people to thrive both professionally and personally., We believe in hiring people who possess the appropriate skills and values that align with our vision. Our selection process is fair and equitable, ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to join us. We are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we take pride in treating our employees and potential hires with respect and without discrimination based on any Protected Characteristics., AXA UK are recognised as a Disability Confident Leader. We actively encourage applications from people who face barriers in the workplace due to a disability or long-term health condition. We participate in the Disability Confident 'Offer of Interview' scheme. This means a fair and proportionate number of candidates with long-term health conditions or disabilities who meet the essential criteria of a job, will be offered an interview.


• You'll need to show you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job advert or job description


• You don't need to share the details of your long term health condition or disability for your application to be considered under this scheme


As part of your application, you'll be asked if you would like to 'opt in'. To ensure ease of access, every job advert lists a responsible Talent Acquisition contact, who'll be able to connect you with our Accessibility Concierge if you require any support.

Screening & Conduct

As a regulated financial services company, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks. Additionally, adherence to the Prudential Regulation Authority's (PRA) Insurance Conduct Standards and the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Conduct Rules will be required., This depends on the location of the role, and what works best for you and the interviewer. We'll give you all the information you need to prepare for whichever format's used for your interview.

I'm struggling to connect to my online interview, what should I do?

Don't worry, we know these things happen. Get in touch with the person who arranged your interview, or the Talent Acquisition contact. One of the team will be able to help get the interview started or re-arrange it for a different time.

How do I get feedback on my interview?

Whenever possible, we'll call and provide feedback by phone. Sometimes, we'll need to provide feedback by email.

How can I prepare for my interview?

We'll send a candidate preparation pack before the interview to help you prepare.


• Keen interest in the Company Secretarial profession; with a desire to undertake the Governance Officer Apprenticeship.


• Excellent time management, organisation skills and attention to detail.


• Ability to work on own initiative.


• Confident dealing with people at all levels, including Board level Executives and Non-Executive Directors.


• Adaptable and flexible, with a positive attitude to change.


• Good team working skills including across departments.


• Work to high quality under pressure, handling sensitive situations and maintain confidentiality.


To be eligible for the apprenticeship programme you must meet the following criteria:

• Live in England or spend 50% of your working time in England, and have been a resident in the UK, the British Overseas Territories, or Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship.


• Have obtained GSCE maths and English (grade 4-9). You will be required to evidence your grades prior to starting the apprenticeship. If you are unable to evidence your grades you will be supported to complete a functional skills qualification as part of your apprenticeship.


• You must not already hold an equivalent or higher qualification in Governance or Risk.


Further checks will be carried out by the apprenticeship training provider as part of your enrolment process.

At AXA we have a culture of trust, respect and care, where everyone belongs. We have an ambition to become one of the most inspiring companies to work for, as such we're committed to supporting employee needs, providing meaningful career development, and celebrating differences. We all have a role to play in ensuring a working environment in which everyone, regardless of who they are, can reach their true potential., At AXA we're committed to offering a fair and inclusive experience to all candidates. You're encouraged to report, in good faith, any concerns of behaviour or processes believed to be inappropriate, unethical, or illegal.

Should you wish to report any concerns, you can do this through by sending an email to speak-up@axa.com, AXA's dedicated hotline. This service is managed by an independent investigation team. Please note that this email address is not for dealing with job or application related queries.
Read more

At AXA UK, we're appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• Competitive annual salary up to £27,500 dependent on experience


• Annual company & performance-based bonus


• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)


• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)


• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays


• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave


• AXA employee discounts


• Gym benefits, When will I hear back from you after my interview?


We aim to provide feedback as soon as the interview process allows. The time period will vary depending on the role.

How do I discuss the package I've been offered for a role?

You can discuss the package with your Talent Acquisition contact at offer stage.

Yay! I've got the role, what's next?

We'll carry out a number of background checks before you start. This is known as 'screening'.

Do you do any background checks?

Yes. All financial services companies, including AXA, are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Being part of a regulated industry means we must check the background of all applicants before we confirm a job offer.

Pre-employment screening is not just regulatory, it also gives us the confidence that our people are the right fit to protect what matters to customers, colleagues, and our business.

• Who is screened? Everyone, from first-jobbers to senior directors! Often, the higher up the career ladder you are, the more stringent the screening becomes.


• What is screened? Identity and address; qualifications; employment history; credit check; criminal record; directorships.


If you think anything may affect these checks, please tell us.

What benefits or perks do you offer?

At AXA, we appreciate the people who work for us and regularly review our rewards package to reflect that. The advert for the role you're interested in will detail what you can expect to receive, but you can see an overview of our benefits and perks on our Why Join Us page.

Does AXA offer car allowance or a company car?

This depends on the grade, role, and eligibility of the employee. Check the benefits listed on the ad for the role you're interested in or confirm with your recruitment contact.