Head Of Democratic Services

SOLOS Consultants Ltd; Eastbourne; Ibrido; GBP 65.000 - 75.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

SOLOS Consultants Ltd is looking for a Head of Democratic Services to lead Democratic Services, Overview and Scrutiny, and Civic Office within a local authority. You will shape governance, advise elected Members, and drive improvements while managing budgets and teams.

The role requires senior local government experience, strong political awareness, and the ability to work across groups with impartiality. Hybrid work in the South East is offered.

Competenze

• Significant experience in local government in a senior management or governance role.
• Strong understanding of governance, political structures and decision‑making processes.
• Experience advising elected Members, senior officers and stakeholders on complex matters.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Experience managing budgets and operational demands in the public sector.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management in a political setting.
• Ability to remain impartial while building cross‑party relationships.

Mansioni

• Provide strategic leadership to Democratic Services, Overview & Scrutiny, and Civic Office teams.
• Advise on democratic governance, constitutional matters and council decision‑making.
• Oversee planning of Council, Cabinet and committee business including meeting schedules.
• Lead development of constitutional arrangements and democratic procedures.
• Support Overview & Scrutiny to challenge decisions and influence policy.
• Ensure guidance and support for elected Members and officers.
• Oversee allowances, declarations of interest and transparency requirements.
• Provide leadership for civic functions and support for Mayor/Deputy Mayor.
• Manage budgets, resources and team development with a focus on improvement.

Conoscenze

Senior governance experience

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Communication

Descrizione del lavoro

Head of Democratic Services

Location: Hove, East Sussex (hybrid - 3 days onsite)

Contract: Temporary, initially 3 months

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week (4 days per week considered)

Rate: £34.58 per hour PAYE or £46.36 per hour Umbrella

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Head of Democratic Services to provide strategic leadership across Democratic Services, Overview and Scrutiny, and Civic Office functions within a local authority.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior local government professional with a strong understanding of democratic governance, political processes and council decision-making to take on a key leadership role, ensuring that democratic arrangements operate effectively, efficiently and in accordance with relevant legislation.

Working closely with elected Members, senior officers and key stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in supporting transparent decision‑making, maintaining high standards of governance and driving continuous improvement across democratic services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to Democratic Services, Overview and Scrutiny, and Civic Office teams, ensuring high-quality service delivery and effective performance management.
• Act as a trusted adviser on democratic governance, constitutional matters, political processes and council decision‑making arrangements.
• Advise senior officers, elected Members, committee chairs and political group leaders on complex, sensitive and politically significant issues, maintaining impartiality and sound professional judgement.
• Oversee the planning and coordination of Council, Cabinet and committee business, including meeting schedules, the Forward Plan, political balance and committee appointments.
• Lead the development and review of constitutional arrangements, democratic structures and decision‑making procedures in response to legislative and organisational change.
• Support effective Overview and Scrutiny arrangements, enabling Members to challenge decisions, contribute to policy development and hold decision‑makers to account.
• Ensure elected Members receive appropriate advice, information, administrative support and development opportunities.
• Oversee Members' allowances, declarations of interest, hospitality registers and associated governance and transparency requirements.
• Provide leadership for civic and ceremonial functions and ensure effective support for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
• Manage budgets, resources, service performance and team development, promoting innovation and continuous improvement.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Significant experience working within local government in a senior management, Democratic Services or closely related governance role.
• A strong understanding of local authority governance, political structures, constitutional arrangements and formal decision‑making processes.
• Experience advising elected Members, senior officers and other stakeholders on complex or politically sensitive matters.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate teams and deliver effective services.
• Experience managing competing priorities, service budgets and operational demands in a challenging public sector environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the diplomacy and judgement required to operate in a politically sensitive setting.
• The ability to remain impartial while building effective relationships across political groups and the wider organisation.

A specific professional qualification is not essential; relevant senior‑level experience and demonstrable expertise are key.