DEMOCRATIC SERVICES MANAGER

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; Liverpool City Region; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Holiday entitlement 29–34 days

Free travel on All‑Zone Metro

Flexible and hybrid working

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is seeking an experienced Democratic Services Manager to lead the Democratic Services function across the Combined Authority, Merseytravel and committees. Reporting to the Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer, you will provide governance advice and manage the Democratic Services Team to ensure robust decision‑making and statutory compliance.

You will work with elected members and senior officers, balance priorities, support governance policy

Qualifications

• Experience governance or democratic services
• Ability to advise elected members and senior officers on procedures
• Strong leadership and organisational skills

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Democratic Services Team across the organisation
• Provide expert governance and constitutional advice to committees and boards
• Ensure effective governance, decision-making and compliance with statutory requirements

Skills

Governance experience

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advice

Job description

• Employer: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
• Salary: £61,268 - £72,728
• Location: No 1 Mann Island
• 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.

Please ensure that you provide clear examples and evidence in your application of how you meet the below key essential criteria. The information you provide in your application will be used for shortlisting.

• Please provide an example of your experience administering and supporting committee or board meetings, including the preparation of agendas, provision of advice during meetings and delivery of accurate minutes and follow‑up actions.
• Please provide an example demonstrating your understanding of local government law, governance or constitutional procedures, and how you have used this knowledge to advise elected members or senior officers.
• Please tell us about a time when you successfully managed competing priorities and tight deadlines while maintaining a high‑quality service. What was your approach and what was the outcome?

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.

Staff Benefits

• 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.

Please highlight how you meet the remaining essential criteria outlined in the person specification within your CV.

Applications that do not include this evidence will not be considered under the guaranteed interview schemes.

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.

Please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa