Head of Democratic Services

Bolton Council; Bolton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Bolton Council is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to head Democratic Services, supporting governance, decision-making and accountability across the Council.

Reporting to the Borough Solicitor, you will oversee committee administration, scrutiny, member support, constitutional governance and the decision-making processes, driving improvement and digital transformation within the function.

This is a senior role with a permanent, full-time appointment and a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree level qualification or equivalent, preferably in Law, Public Administration, Politics, Governance, Business management or a related discipline.
• Significant experience leading democratic services, governance or scrutiny in a large public sector organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of high-quality democratic services, including committee administration, scrutiny, member support, constitutional governance and decision-making processes.
• Advise elected Members and senior officers on governance matters and drive organisational improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement, service modernisation and digital transformation within Democratic Services.
• Manage budgets, resources and a professional team delivering effective support to Members and committees.

Education

A relevant degree level qualification or equivalent, preferably in Law, Public Administration, Politics, Governance, Business management or a related discipline

Job description

Grade K £50,269 £54,495 per annum pay award pending

Contract: Permanent

Role specifics A relevant degree level qualification or equivalent, preferably in Law, Public Administration, Politics, Governance, Business management or a related discipline

Interview date: TBC

For further information about this role, contact: [e-mail]

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Please read the detailed information at the bottom of this advert before you make an application as it may be rejected if we detect AI use.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application

Ask us about flexible working options to fit with your work/life balance - #HappytoTalkFlexible

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to lead our Democratic Services function, playing a pivotal role in supporting effective governance, democratic decision-making and accountability across the Council.

Reporting to the Borough Solicitor, you will lead the delivery of high-quality democratic services, including committee administration, scrutiny, member support, constitutional governance and decision-making processes. Acting as the Council's principal adviser on democratic governance matters, you will work closely with elected Members, senior officers and partners to ensure robust governance arrangements and the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

You will drive continuous improvement, service modernisation and digital transformation within Democratic Services, whilst managing budgets, resources and a professional team delivering effective support to Members and committees.

About You

You will bring significant experience of leading democratic services, governance or scrutiny functions within a large and complex public sector organisation. You will have a strong understanding of local government governance, constitutional processes and decision-making frameworks, together with excellent leadership, communication and relationship management skills.

You will be confident advising senior elected Members and Chief Officers on complex governance issues and driving organisational improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity to shape and strengthen democratic governance within a forward-looking council, ensuring Members receive the support they need to serve their communities effectively.

About Us

This is your opportunity to join us at an exciting time as we have strong ambitions for the borough.

Bolton is a great place to work. We are a welcoming organisation that wants to contribute to a place where people feel active, connected and prosperous. We are passionate about improving the outcomes and experience of Bolton people. We want Bolton to be a vibrant place built on strong cohesive communities, successful businesses and healthy, engaged residents.

As an employer we want to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment, by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits, including discounts and exclusive gym membership prices and salary sacrifice schemes. In addition, we offer a generous annual leave allowance, flexible work opportunities, access to a Pension Scheme, as well as a range of employee wellbeing and support services.

Our Values are really important to us, read all about them below, along with all our great staff benefits, the job description/person specification for the role and the important legal bits, and our Top Tips too.

Within Greater Manchester, local authorities have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please see greater.jobs for further information before you apply.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English as per the person specification.

This organisation has signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. That means we will recognise your continuous or ‘unbroken’ service in any Greater Manchester local authority or NHS organisation that has signed the commitment, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or Greater Manchester Combined Authority, giving you access to our service-related benefits. Please see the home page of greater.jobs for more information.

For more information about working for Bolton Council, please see greater.jobs; for advice and support with your application, contact [e-mail]

Supporting Documents

• Job Description
• Documents for Right to Work
• Privacy Notice
• Staff Benefits
• Top Tips
• Our Values & Behaviours