Democratic Services Manager

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; Grimsby, North East; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS contributions 5.5%–12.5%

Generous holiday entitlement (29–34)

Free travel within region with All-Zon

Job summary

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is seeking an experienced Democratic Services Manager to lead and develop the Democratic Services function. You will report to the Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer and manage the Democratic Services Team to support governance across the* Combined Authority, Merseytravel and associated committees and panels.

You will provide expert advice on constitutional, procedural and governance matters while ensuring statutory requirements are met and maintaining

Qualifications

• Experienced governance or democratic services professional.
• Strong understanding of local government decision-making and committee administration.
• Ability to provide procedural and governance advice to elected members and senior officers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Democratic Services function across the Combined Authority, Merseytravel and boards.
• Support elected members and senior officers with governance and decision-making processes.
• Ensure statutory requirements are met and provide expert governance advice.

Job description

To help make Liverpool City region the best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business – where no-one is left behind

• Employer: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time
• Hours: 35 hours per week.
• DBS Check: No
• Closing Date: 18/11/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: RES/26/348613

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Democratic Services Manager to lead and develop our Democratic Services function at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Reporting to the Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer, you will manage and support the Democratic Services Team, ensuring the effective delivery of governance and decision-making processes across the Combined Authority, Merseytravel and associated committees, boards and panels. You will play a key role in supporting elected members and senior officers, providing expert advice on constitutional, procedural and governance matters, whilst ensuring statutory requirements are met.

The role requires strong leadership, political awareness and organisational skills to balance competing priorities, manage scrutiny arrangements, oversee member support functions and maintain high standards of democratic governance. You will also contribute to the development of policies relating to members, support key democratic processes, and work closely with senior leaders, including the Chief Executive's Office and the Mayor's Office, to ensure the smooth operation of formal meetings and decision-making structures.

About the person

You will be an experienced governance or democratic services professional with a strong understanding of local government decision-making processes and committee administration. You will be confident providing procedural and governance advice to elected members and senior officers, often within politically sensitive environments.

The successful candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be capable of managing competing priorities and tight deadlines, and have experience leading or supervising teams to deliver high-quality services. You will be highly organised, politically aware and committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct and public service.

You will thrive in a fast-paced environment, building positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders whilst ensuring governance arrangements remain effective, compliant and transparent

About the organisation

The Liverpool City Region is world-famous for its history, culture and creativity. A place of firsts, it is the birthplace of modern railways, public health and international trade. Now, our economy is being transformed once again, changing the world through world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, digital and creative, and advanced manufacturing - growing an economy already worth £35 billion a year.

The Combined Authority plays a central role in catalysing this innovation-led economy. We are seizing the unique opportunity to use our devolved powers and funding to create wealth and prosperity for all our 1.6 million residents and the whole UK - investing in our economy, people, place, transport and digital infrastructure. Our vision is for the Liverpool City Region to be: The best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business - where no-one is left behind.

• Local Government Pension Scheme contributions between 5.5% and 12.5%
• Generous holiday entitlement of 29 days rising to 34 days after 5 years service, as well as bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
• Free travel around Liverpool City Region with an All-Zone Metro card worth £1,450 per year plus All Zones Off Peak Trio ticket for your spouse or partner
• Flexible and hybrid working
• 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family and Free counselling service
• Automatic enrolment to our Westfield Health Programme
• Corporate discounts at council-owned gyms
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications including paid membership fees and even a £1k interest free learning loan for any non-job-related learning

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have declared that they: have a disability, are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background,are care experienced (whether through foster care, residential care, supported living, kinship care, live-in care, home care or adoption),are a member of a reservist or have close family links to a member of the Armed Forces as we are under-represented by people from these communities.

To be considered under one of these schemes, you must indicate your eligibility in the relevant section of the application form. In addition, you must clearly demonstrate in your application how you meet the key essential criteria listed above.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We actively promote diversity and inclusion, please note that this role is not on the Home Office List of Occupations eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled worker route. We recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position.