Company Secretary & Data Protection Officer

About The Role

Join Our Award-Winning Team at Care South!

Role: Company Secretary & Data Protection Officer

Pay: £65,000 per annum plus car allowance and mileage

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week

Working Pattern: General working hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Occasional working from home with CEO approval

Location: Office based role, based at Care South’s head office in Poole

About the Role

Care South is seeking an exceptional Company Secretary & Data Protection Officer (DPO) to join our senior team at our Head Office in Poole.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, this critical senior hybrid position places you at the very heart of our strategic operations.

You will hold the keys to our corporate governance while simultaneously serving as our legally designated expert and strategic lead on all aspects of UK GDPR and information privacy.

This is not a standard administrative role; it is a high-visibility position for a resilient, diplomatic professional who thrives on variety and complexity. One day you will be advising the Board and ensuring compliance with Company and Charity law, and the next you will be championing "privacy by design" across the organisation, managing corporate risk frameworks, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

If you possess a flawless eye for detail, an executive presence, and a deep passion for both corporate compliance and data privacy, we want to hear from you.

You will be joining a leading not-for-profit charity providing high-quality Residential Care, Care at Home and Assisted Living services. Care South is one of the Top 20 care companies, as rated on carehome co uk, based on published reviews from residents and their family and friends, endorsing our strong reputation in providing high quality care.

About You

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience as a Company Secretary or Board Secretary within a corporate or charitable environment.
• Qualified Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland professional qualification or a legal qualification.
• A professional Data Protection/Privacy qualification (e.g., CIPP/E Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection) or equivalent deep experience.
• Strong knowledge of the Companies Act, Charities Act and UK GDPR frameworks.

Skills & Attributes

• Pragmatic, pro-active and “can do” attitude”.
• Executive presence - exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the diplomacy and tact required to advise Board members and Senior Executives.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Meticulous accuracy -utmost attention to detail regarding minutes, legal registers, and regulatory compliance timelines
• Resilience & pace - ability to handle complex workloads, maintain absolute confidentiality and discretion, and work under pressure using your own initiative.
• Tech Savvy - advanced proficiency in MS Office suite with a solid understanding of modern IT security frameworks.
• Understanding of and adherence to Care South’s HEART values of Honesty, Excellence, Approach, Respect and Teamwork.

Your Rewards and Benefits

At Care South, we really value all our staff, whatever the role. We offer a stimulating and incredibly rewarding career, and we celebrate our colleagues every year through the Care South Stars Awards.

As a not-for-profit charity and registered company limited by guarantee, our focus isn't on owners or shareholders - it's firmly on those in our care and those who care for them. We are continually looking for ways to enhance the reward and recognition of our amazing Care South team.

Our current benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary
• Car allowance
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Permanent ill-health insurance
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Allocated car parking space at head office
• Paid induction and ongoing training
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Blue Light Card and online retail discounts
• Free Enhanced DBS check
• Staff Association
• Annual Care South Stars Awards

What You Need to Know

• You must be aged 18 or over
• This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check
• We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position
• A full UK driving licence
• Own car with business insurance and regular travel across the Care South portfolio as and when required

Apply today and become part of something truly special!

Deadline for applications: Friday 4 September 2026
Interviews planned for week commencing: Monday 14 September 2026