Deputy Director, Elections Policy

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department seeks a strategic leader for a crucial elections policy role. Responsibilities include setting legal frameworks, developing legislation, and building stakeholder relationships for effective policy delivery. Candidates should have substantial policy experience in a political context and skills in risk management and leadership. The position is full-time and based in various UK cities, including Manchester. The department fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion, with competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension

Learning and development opportunities

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Extensive policy experience in a political environment is essential.
• Ability to navigate complex legislative landscapes and deliver results.
• Strong leadership skills to manage and inspire teams.

Responsibilities

• Set the legal framework for election and voter registration.
• Develop law regulating political parties and manage Electoral Commission relations.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders for policy delivery.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Policy development

Communication

Leadership

Risk management

Job description

Overview

Elections is an important priority area for the Government, with a number of significant manifesto commitments to be delivered including: extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds; improving voter registration policy and systems to address the millions missing from the electoral register; strengthening the political finance framework to combat the threat of foreign interference; and ensuring all electors have the opportunity to vote by reforming and improving the voter identification regime. Several other policy areas are being taken forward as part of the reform package including harassment and intimidation of candidates and electoral staff. This will require both primary and secondary legislation as well as a significant digital and operational delivery programme. This role leads on both the policy development of these new measures (including legislation), as well as maintaining the underlying legal and policy framework. It also supports implementation, assisting local authority teams to deliver them in practice, through monitoring, information, funding and mitigating identified delivery risks. This is a high‑profile role with an exciting opportunity to lead on an ambitious policy agenda from the beginning and see it through into delivery.

Responsibilities

• Set the legal and policy framework for, and support the effective administration and delivery of elections, electoral registration and franchise, including the work of the Election Claims Unit.
• Develop law and policy on the regulation of political parties, candidates and third‑party campaigners, and manage the Government’s relationship with the Electoral Commission.
• Develop robust and effective policy and legislative provisions to support the delivery of both manifesto commitments and additional measures to ensure the continued effective operation of elections.
• Understand interactions with wider Departmental and Government deliverables including devolution and the work of the Defending Democracy task force.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (including the Electoral Commission, trade bodies), creating partnerships to support policy development and delivery, allow honest feedback to be shared and issues to be unblocked.
• Act as HMG sponsor for the Boundary Commissions for England and Wales, overseeing appointments to the Boundary Commission England, agreeing budgets and ensuring statutory duties are fulfilled.

Person Specification

• High‑profile role requiring the ability to think strategically while grasping detail quickly, identify risks and navigate a complex policy, legislative and delivery landscape.
• Significant policy experience, including delivering legislation, and a track record of solving complex challenges and working at pace in a highly political environment.
• Solid understanding of constitutional principles and how these should be integrated into the delivery of a modern electoral system.
• Experience working closely with digital and programme management colleagues to ensure that policy is designed with implementation in mind; experience in this area would therefore also be advantageous.
• Experienced and inspirational leader, able to empower, develop and inspire teams to deliver, even under pressure; comfortable working and leading in a fast‑paced environment with considerable ambiguity, flexibility and change.
• Effective communicator, credible at senior levels, commanding confidence with Ministers, senior central government officials, local councils and other stakeholders.
• Willing to challenge and innovate in that context.

Selection Process and Assessments

During sifting, both your CV and Statement of Suitability will be assessed against the role’s Essential Criteria. Candidates may be invited to attend staff engagement panels and meetings with Ministers or senior stakeholders as part of the selection process.

Contract and Working Pattern

This is a permanent appointment, full‑time and suitable for a job share. The role is located in Bristol, Darlington, London, Manchester and Wolverhampton; flexible working is encouraged.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationalities of the Republic of Ireland
• Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
• EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Security Clearance

Successful candidates must meet the baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) and must have Security Clearance (SC) prior to starting the role.

Diversity, Inclusion and Benefits

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. The role offers competitive salary, pension, learning and development, and a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.