About us:

Ninety One is an independent, active global asset manager with R3,4 trillion* of assets under management.

Established in South Africa in 1991, as Investec Asset Management, the firm started offering domestic investments in an emerging market. In 2020, almost three decades of organic growth later, the firm demerged from Investec Group and became Ninety One.

Our distinctive capabilities sit within differentiated fixed income and credit as well as specialist equities, and we have a unique perspective and approach to investment opportunities presented by emerging markets and the energy transition.

*as at 31 December 2025

Ninety One is an equal opportunities employer. Our imperative is to attract and retain the best talent by providing a corporate environment where people from varying backgrounds can develop professionally and build a rewarding career.

About the team:

The Company Secretarial team is a global team with responsibility for maintaining the integrity of Ninety One’s corporate governance framework. We thrive on exceptional organisational prowess and attention to detail, strengths that are paramount in navigating a complex mix of legal and regulatory requirements.

We are looking for an individual with exceptional organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and a robust understanding of legal and regulatory environments. This role requires a proactive approach to handling a broad range of responsibilities, from organising board and committee meetings and minute-taking to statutory filings, as well as being involved in a number of governance projects.

The Assistant Company Secretary role is highly demanding, requiring exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and a strong ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing legal and governance advice, including minute writing, and ensuring the organisation’s compliance with corporate governance regulations, statutory obligations, and best practices.

In this role you will:

Corporate governance & compliance

• Provide expert advice on corporate governance best practices, directors’ duties, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with the South African Companies Act, King IV principles, and other relevant governance frameworks.
• Develop, implement, and oversee corporate governance policies, processes, and compliance frameworks.
• Monitor and assess regulatory updates, advising senior leadership on governance-related legislative changes.
• Advise on and support the refinement of Ninety One’s global governance framework.

Board & committee support

• Take responsibility for a portfolio of committee and/or board meetings, including their administration.
• Manage a range of day-to-day support functions, working closely with team members to maintain an efficient and professional company secretariat function across Ninety One.
• Support and facilitate board and committee meetings, including agenda setting, board pack preparation, and minute-taking.
• Ensure effective management of board resolutions, governance records, and compliance reporting.
• Provide governance training and advisory support to subsidiary company board members, executives, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in drafting, maintaining, and reviewing board and committee charters, governance manuals, and policies.

Legal & risk advisory

• Advise on legal and compliance risks impacting the organisation’s governance and regulatory obligations.
• Support contract negotiations and reviews to ensure compliance with regulatory and corporate requirements.
• Assist with due diligence, risk mitigation strategies, and entity structuring from a governance perspective.
• Provide legal guidance on commercial and corporate transactions, ensuring alignment with governance standards, where required.

Technology & process automation

• Implement and oversee the automation of governance and compliance processes using technology tools.
• Leverage board portal software (e.g. Diligent) and entity management platforms to improve efficiency.
• Support digitalisation initiatives to enhance reporting, governance compliance tracking, and regulatory submissions.
• Train internal teams on the adoption of technology-driven governance solutions.

Stakeholder & regulatory engagement

• Act as the primary point of contact for senior managers, Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors, regulators, and governance stakeholders.
• Engage with industry bodies, legal advisors, and corporate governance networks to stay abreast of best practices.
• Support internal leadership with strategic governance and compliance decision-making.

You should consider applying if you have:

• A law degree
• Experience using entity management platforms and board portals (e.g. Diligent, GEMS, or similar tools) is advantageous.
• Qualification as a company secretary
• Strong working knowledge of the South African Companies Act, King IV, and applicable governance legislation.
• Experience in statutory filings with CIPC and corporate compliance matters.
• Proven ability to advise senior leadership and boards on corporate governance and legal matters

Some of the attributes we look for in a person are:

• The ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships
• The ability to ‘approach and own’ and continuously look for opportunities to develop
• A strong belief in doing the right thing
• Driven by results
• Ability to recognise and embrace change
• A client focused and collaborative approach
• A curiosity about technology and its potential to drive innovation
• High conviction and be comfortable sharing opinions