Electoral Services Manager

Vivid Resourcing Ltd; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivid Resourcing Ltd is helping a public-sector client in Chelmsford recruit an Electoral Services Manager on an interim basis. The role oversees registration and election activities, ensuring statutory deadlines are met and the service runs smoothly.

The successful candidate will lead the electoral services team, coordinate canvass activity, manage elections and referendums, and engage with candidates, parties and the public with clear, calm leadership.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior electoral services role, with responsibility for managing registration and elections.
• Strong knowledge of electoral law, including the registration and election processes and the role of the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer
• Experience of delivering elections or referendums and managing the annual canvass.
• Experience of managing and motivating a team through peak periods.
• Working knowledge of electoral management software.
• Sound planning, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work to fixed statutory deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Good understanding of data protection requirements as they apply to electoral data.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day running of the electoral services function, including team workload and priorities.
• Oversee the annual canvass and the maintenance of an accurate, complete electoral register.
• Plan and deliver elections and referendums, including polling stations, postal voting, staffing and counting arrangements.
• Ensure compliance with electoral legislation, statutory deadlines and Electoral Commission guidance and performance standards.
• Recruit, train and brief polling and count staff, presiding officers and poll clerks.
• Support the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer in the delivery of their statutory duties.
• Manage budgets, contracts and suppliers linked to electoral activity, including printing and election management software.
• Provide advice and guidance to candidates, agents, councillors and members of the public.
• Prepare reports, performance information and post-event reviews, and identify improvements to the service.
• Lead, coach and support the electoral services team.

Skills

Senior electoral services

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Electoral law

Election delivery

Canvass management

Data protection

Communication skills

Tools

Electoral management software

Job description

Location: Chelmsford, United Kingdom
Contract: Interim

About the role

Our client is looking for an Electoral Services Manager to lead its electoral services function in Chelmsford on an interim basis. The role carries responsibility for the accurate and lawful delivery of electoral registration and election activity, and will suit someone who can take charge of a live service with minimal settling-in time.

The successful candidate will oversee the annual canvass and the maintenance of the electoral register, and will manage the planning and delivery of elections and referendums. The work calls for close attention to statutory deadlines, sound judgement under pressure and a clear grasp of the legislation that governs the service.

The Electoral Services Manager will also lead and support the electoral services team, work with colleagues across the organisation and engage with candidates, agents, political parties and the public. Clear communication and calm, organised leadership are central to the role.

Main responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day running of the electoral services function, including team workload and priorities
• Oversee the annual canvass and the maintenance of an accurate, complete electoral register
• Plan and deliver elections and referendums, including polling stations, postal voting, staffing and counting arrangements
• Ensure compliance with electoral legislation, statutory deadlines and Electoral Commission guidance and performance standards
• Recruit, train and brief polling and count staff, presiding officers and poll clerks
• Support the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer in the delivery of their statutory duties
• Manage budgets, contracts and suppliers linked to electoral activity, including printing and election management software
• Provide advice and guidance to candidates, agents, councillors and members of the public
• Prepare reports, performance information and post-event reviews, and identify improvements to the service
• Lead, coach and support the electoral services team

Requirements

• Proven experience in a senior electoral services role, with responsibility for managing registration and elections
• Strong knowledge of electoral law, including the registration and election processes and the role of the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer
• Experience of delivering elections or referendums and managing the annual canvass
• Experience of managing and motivating a team through peak periods
• Working knowledge of electoral management software
• Sound planning, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work to fixed statutory deadlines
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Good understanding of data protection requirements as they apply to electoral data

The offer

This is an interim position based in Chelmsford. Rate, start date and contract length are to be confirmed with candidates. The role offers the chance to lead an established electoral services function and take responsibility for a service with clear statutory importance.

If you have a strong electoral services background and are looking for your next interim leadership role, this position gives you a clear remit and a team to lead.