Deputy Electoral Services Manager

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Coventry City Council is seeking an experienced Deputy Electoral Services Manager to lead strategic planning and delivery of elections, referendums and electoral registration. You will deputise for the Head of Electoral Services, provide expert guidance on electoral law, and drive service improvements in a major metropolitan authority.

You will lead staff development, manage election teams and coordinate with councillors, agents and partners to ensure high standards of performance and customer

Qualifications

• Significant experience in electoral registration and election administration.
• Strong knowledge of electoral law and processes.
• Ability to interpret complex legislation and provide practical advice.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience delivering service improvements and managing change.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the strategic planning and delivery of elections, referendums and electoral registration activities.
• Deputising for the Head of Electoral Services when required.
• Providing expert advice on electoral law, guidance and best practice.
• Leading service improvement initiatives and helping drive innovation.
• Supporting the management and development of staff, election teams and temporary election workforce.
• Building strong relationships with councillors, candidates, agents, senior officers and external partners.
• Helping ensure the service continues to meet the highest standards of performance, compliance and customer service.

Skills

Electoral Registration

Election Administration

Electoral Law

Stakeholder Engagement

Job description

Every election matters. Every voter matters. Every detail matters.

We're looking for an experienced, motivated and forward-thinking electoral professional to join our Electoral Services team as Deputy Electoral Services Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced electoral professional looking to broaden their strategic responsibilities and develop towards a future Head of Electoral Services role.

It is opportunity to play a leading role in delivering elections, referendums and electoral registration services across one of the UK's largest metropolitan authorities. Working closely with the Head of Electoral Services, you'll help shape the future of the service, drive continuous improvement and ensure democratic processes are delivered to the highest standards.

Whether supporting major electoral events, implementing legislative change, advising key stakeholders or developing innovative service improvements, you'll be at the heart of local democracy in Coventry.

This is a role where no two days are the same. One day you may be advising on complex electoral legislation, leading a service improvement project or supporting a boundary review. The next, you could be overseeing election planning, briefing candidates and agents, or helping to deliver a major election event.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.


• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.


• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.


• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.


• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.


• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

What is the job role?

• Supporting the strategic planning and delivery of elections, referendums and electoral registration activities.


• Deputising for the Head of Electoral Services when required.


• Providing expert advice on electoral law, guidance and best practice.


• Leading service improvement initiatives and helping drive innovation.


• Supporting the management and development of staff, election teams and temporary election workforce.


• Building strong relationships with councillors, candidates, agents, senior officers and external partners.


• Helping ensure the service continues to meet the highest standards of performance, compliance and customer service.

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

Who are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who is passionate about electoral administration and committed to delivering excellent public services.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in electoral registration and election administration.


• Strong knowledge of electoral law and electoral processes.


• The ability to interpret complex legislation and provide clear, practical advice.


• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Experience of delivering service improvements and managing change.


• Excellent communication skills and confidence working with stakeholders at all levels.


• Strong leadershi

p qualities and the ability to support, motivate and develop colleagues.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans


• Are currently in care or have previously been in care


• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'.

We recognise that you might use AI tools to help with your application. While these tools can be useful, please make sure that all information you provide about your experience, skills, and qualifications is accurate. What matters most to us is hearing about your experience and the achievements that truly reflect you!

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards andbenefits package - to find out more please visit

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Deputy Electoral Services Manager

Company: Coventry City Council Salary: £41,177 to £47,665 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Council House Earl Street Coventry, CV1 5RR Job type: Permanent Posting date: 22 Oct 2026 Closing date: 15 Nov 2026

Summary

Help shape democracy in Coventry.

Interview date(s): 23 November 2026