Corporate governance jobs are regulatory, supporting, and legal positions enforcing a business’s corporate governance guidelines. By enforcing or regulating corporate governance guidelines, all professions connected to corporate governance work toward effective organizational performance. On a foundational level, parties directly involved with corporate governance are the board of directors and upper management. The profession also extends out to internal and external auditors, the company secretary or managerial staff, and securities attorneys.
The board of directors, the CEO, and management are all affected by corporate governance guidelines that attempt to convey shareholder expectations. Any of these corporate governance jobs, therefore, are connected with corporate governance responsibilities. The board of directors, for example, works within the guidelines to appoint and supervise upper management.
The company secretary is an executive position responsible for upholding corporate governance guidelines. This position’s nomenclature varies, sometimes being referred to as chartered secretary or chief financial officer. Responsibilities are legal and regulatory in nature. This position usually has much influence over the organization’s corporate governance culture.
The corporate governance officer or manager is generally a lower ranking position than the company secretary that works to achieve similar goals. More stress is generally placed on monitoring and analysis of relevant information. This position also works to keep the board of directors connected to operational and financial data.
Corporate governance jobs also encompass external and internal governance auditors. Auditors do not directly work with governance guidelines. Instead, they verify that the guidelines are being followed. An internal auditor works to ensure security, monitor risk management, and ensure compliance with guidelines. Checks done by external auditors have similar goals. External auditors can be brought in by the company or can be regulatory in nature.
Consulting professionals can also specialize in corporate governance. Consultant positions can be external or internal. Consulting corporate governance jobs include SAP governance, risk, and compliance. Consulting positions can therefore be regulatory or advisory in nature.
In a less direct manner, additional regulatory corporate governance jobs include all managerial positions. Financial, human resources, and operational department managers are affected by corporate governance guidelines and should therefore have some knowledge of them. While these three managers may have different responsibilities, they share the responsibility of adhering to governance guidelines and ensuring the company is operating according to said guidelines.
Corporate securities attorneys and corporate governance paralegals are two legal professions dealing with corporate governance. These positions aid the organization in upholding legal requirements of corporate governance guidelines. This may include preparing security filings, ensuring compliance with local laws, and staying abreast of current legal issues.