We are recruiting for an Interim Head of Democratic Services to lead and stabilise a key function within a local authority setting.
This role requires someone who can step in immediately, take ownership of live projects and provide leadership during a critical period, including supporting upcoming Budget and Full Council meetings.
Salary – £625 Per Day
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage Democratic Services, ensuring high-quality committee, member and scrutiny functions aligned to council priorities.
Provide expert constitutional and governance advice to councillors, senior leaders and officers, ensuring compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.
Oversee democratic decision-making processes, ensuring effective planning, transparency and accountability.
Act as the statutory Scrutiny Officer, developing and embedding an effective scrutiny function and ensuring robust challenge and oversight.
Lead Member Services, including support to Cabinet, political groups, civic functions and member development programmes.
Manage and lead a team of up to 15 staff, overseeing service delivery, performance, and continuous improvement.
Manage a service budget of approximately £1m, ensuring effective use of resources.
Drive service improvement, including organisational change, digital development and process efficiencies.
Skills and Experience
Experience leading Democratic Services or a similar governance function within a local authority.
Strong knowledge of local government governance, constitutional requirements and democratic processes.
Experience preparing for and supporting Budget Council and Full Council meetings .
Proven ability to deliver or support service restructure and organisational change .
Experience managing and leading teams of up to 15 staff.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work closely with Members, senior leaders and officers. Experience managing budgets and overseeing service performance.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Confident in driving service improvement and implementing effective processes and controls.
Essential
Able to hit the ground running across existing workstreams
Experience managing or delivering a service restructure
Confident leading and engaging a team of 12–15 staff
Experience preparing for and supporting Budget Council and Full Council meetings
Office Requirement: Minimum 3 days per week in the office
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