Head of Democratic Services / Pennaeth Gwasanaethau Democrataidd

Cardiff Council; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension scheme

Generous annual leave 28–33 days

Discounted leisure and travel options

Flexible hybrid working

Job summary

Cardiff Council is seeking an outstanding leader to head the Democratic Services Team, delivering robust governance and high-quality support to elected, independent and co-opted members.

You will steer Scrutiny Services, coordinate committee governance, oversee the Protocol Office for the Lord Mayor, and administer the Electoral Services Team across four parliamentary divisions and two Senedd constituencies.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering democratic services in local government.
• Ability to motivate staff and develop work systems.
• Proven track record advising senior officers and Members.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Democratic Services Team and manage Scrutiny Services.
• Coordinate governance arrangements for Committee and Member Services.
• Oversee Protocol Office activities for the Lord Mayor and administer Electoral Services.

Skills

Democratic services leadership

Strategic governance

Staff management

Diplomatic liaison

Job description

About the Service

As the capital of Wales, Cardiff offers the experience of working in one of the fastest growing and most highly skilled cities in Britain but also offers easy access to the fabulous South Wales region’s coastline and countryside with worldwide standing.

As part of Governance and Legal Services Directorate based at County Hall, the Democratic Services Team support the Elected, Independent and Co-opted Members of the Council and contribute to the Council’s governance and decision-making processes.

The Services operate a hybrid working model which enables employees to work flexibly from home or from an office base, depending upon service requirements.

About the Job

We are keen to recruit an outstanding individual with proven track record of providing high-quality democratic services in support of its Elected, Independent and Co-opted Members. As a capital city, Cardiff is always striving to identify innovative solutions to deliver service excellence within its budgetary constraints.

You’ll lead a Democratic Services Team which includes directly managing Scrutiny Services to deliver ongoing service improvements across the authority, co-ordinating the delivery of robust governance arrangements by the Committee and Member Services Team, overseeing the support to the Protocol Office for the activities of the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff, and the administration of the Electoral Services Team with four Parliamentary electoral divisions and two Senedd Constituencies.

This is a role for someone who can combine strategic and operational leadership, political awareness, sound judgement and exceptional organisational skills. You’ll need the confidence and diplomacy to advise senior officers and Members from different political groups, navigate complex and sensitive issues, and build trusted relationships across the Council including regional partners. You will also be expected to support and maintain the governance and performance arrangements of the Council.

The postholder will be a member of the Directorate Management Team, supporting the Director of Governance and Legal Services and Monitoring Officer and may deputise for the Director on occasions including on politically sensitive matters.

What We Are Looking For From You

We are seeking high calibre candidates who must have experience of local government democratic services with a meaningful knowledge of its legislation and guidance. You will need the ability to motivate and manage staff and develop work systems and processes with the team partners and stakeholders. The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate drive and resilience and be able to deal with a varied and demanding workload.

We expect the individual appointed to take personal responsibility for delivering excellence, to work with others to achieve the best possible outcomes, to embrace change and new opportunities, to make the most of the resources available and to act in the best interests of the Council.

Benefits of Working for Cardiff Council

Cardiff Council offers a competitive salary in the context of a fair pay structure with annual nationally negotiated pay awards and incremental progression. You will have entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme that provides an index linked career average pension on retirement. Death in Service cover is also included and as a LGPS member, you can take it up a notch with our Shared Cost AVC Scheme through our partners at My Money Matters. You’ll save on both Income Tax and National Insurance – making it a savvy way to grow your retirement savings even faster.

We offer a generous annual leave package, starting at 28 days and rising to 33 days after 5 years, plus the option to purchase up to 10 additional days each year. There are attractive maternity and paternity shared parental leave benefits, many in excess of the statutory minimum requirements. We also provide discounted leisure membership with access to leisure centres across the city as well as discounted bus and train travel.

The Council is committed to promoting and supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees. We provide a free and confidential employee assistance programme, which offers a 24/7 confidential counselling line, with support specialists on hand. There is also comprehensive online support on a wide range of issues.

Additional Information

The Council’s Flexi Time policy does not apply to this Post however, the post is open to individuals who wish to have flexible working patterns, subject to meeting the needs of our clients and having mutual regard to the working arrangements of existing Team members.

This vacancy is suitable for post share subject to there being another suitably qualified and experienced employee/candidate who wishes to post share.

This is a politically restricted post.

If you have been shortlisted, you will be invited to undertake an interview. We will contact all applicants to advise them whether or not they have been shortlisted.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Debbie Marles, Director of Governance and Legal Services (and Monitoring Officer).

Those applicants successful at application form stage will be invited for an interview which will include a written test and presentation.

The closing date for applications for this post is: 15th December 2026

Ynglŷn â’r Gwasanaeth

Mae Caerdydd, fel prifddinas Cymru, yn cynnig y profiad o weithio yn un o’r dinasoedd uchaf ei sgiliau ac sy’n tyfu cyflymaf yng ngwledydd Prydain, a hefyd yn cynnig mynediad hawdd i arfordir a chefn gwlad gwych de Cymru, a gydnabyddir yn fyd-eang.

Fel rhan o'r Gyfarwyddiaeth Llywodraethu a Gwasanaethau Cyfreithiol yn Neuadd y Sir, mae'r Tîm Gwasanaethau Democrataidd yn cefnogi Aelodau Etholedig, Annibynnol a Chyfetholedig y Cyngor ac yn cyfrannu at brosesau llywodraethiant a gwneud penderfyniadau’r Cyngor.

Mae'r Gwasanaethau rhwng hyn yn dilyn model gweithio hybrid sy'n galluogi gweithwyr i weithio’n hyblyg o’u cartrefi neu mewn swyddfa, yn dibynnu ar ofynion y gwasanaeth.

Ynglŷn â'r Swydd

Rydym yn awyddus i recriwtio unigolyn rhagorol sydd â hanes profedig o ddarparu gwasanaethau democrataidd o ansawdd uchel i gefnogi Aelodau Etholedig, Annibynnol a Chyfetholedig. Fel prifddinas, mae Caerdydd bob amser yn ymdrechu i adnabod atebion arloesol i ddarparu rhagoriaeth gwasanaeth o fewn ei chyfyngiadau cyllidebol.

Byddwch yn arwain Tîm Gwasanaethau Democrataidd sy'n cynnwys rheoli'r Gwasanaethau Craffu yn uniongyrchol i gyflawni gwelliannau parhaus i wasanaethau ar draws yr awdurdod, cydlynu cyflwyno trefniadau llywodraethu cadarn gan y Pwyllgor a'r Tîm Gwasanaethau Aelodau, goruchwylio'r gefnogaeth i'r Swyddfa Brotocol ar gyfer gweithgareddau Gwir Anrhydeddus Arglwydd Faer Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, a gweinyddu'r Tîm Gwasanaethau Etholiadol gyda phedair adran etholiadol Seneddol a dwy Etholaeth Senedd.

Mae hon yn rôl i rywun sy'n gallu cyfuno arweinyddiaeth strategol a gweithredol, ymwybyddiaeth wleidyddol, barn gadarn a sgiliau trefnu eithriadol. Bydd angen yr hyder a'r diplomyddiaeth arnoch i gynghori uwch swyddogion ac Aelodau o wahanol grwpiau gwleidyddol, llywio materion cymhleth a sensitif, ac adeiladu perthnasoedd dibynadwy ar draws y Cyngor gan gynnwys partneriaid rhanbarthol. Bydd disgwyl i chi hefyd gefnogi a chynnal trefniadau llywodraethu a pherfformiad y Cyngor.

Bydd deiliad y swydd yn aelod o Dîm Rheoli'r Gyfarwyddiaeth, gan gefnogi'r Cyfarwyddwr Llywodraethu a Gwasanaethau Cyfreithiol a'r Swyddog Monitro a gall ddirprwyo dros y Cyfarwyddwr ar adegau gan gynnwys ar faterion gwleidyddol sensitif.

Yr hyn rydym yn ei ddisgwyl gennych chi

Rydym yn chwilio am ymgeiswyr o safon uchel y mae'n rhaid iddynt gael profiad o wasanaethau democrataidd mewn llywodraeth leol gyda gwybodaeth ystyrlon o'u deddfwriaeth a'u canllawiau. Bydd angen y gallu i ysgogi a rheoli staff a datblygu systemau gwaith a phrosesau gyda'r partneriaid tîm a'r rhanddeiliaid. Bydd yr ymgeisydd llwyddiannus hefyd yn gallu dangos symbyliad a gwytnwch ac yn gallu delio â llwyth gwaith amrywiol a heriol.

Disgwyliwn i’r unigolyn a benodir gymryd cyfrifoldeb personol dros sicrhau rhagoriaeth, gweithio gydag eraill i gyflawni’r canlyniadau gorau posib, ymateb yn gadarnhaol i newid ac i gyfleoedd newydd er mwyn manteisio i'r eithaf ar yr adnoddau sydd ar gael a meddwl a gweithredu gyda golwg ar hyrwyddo buddiannau’r Cyngor.

Manteision gweithio i Gyngor Caerdydd

Mae Cyngor Caerdydd yn cynnig cyflog cystadleuol o fewn strwythur talu teg gyda gwobrwyon cyflog cenedlaethol a thwf cynnydd blynyddol. Bydd gennych fynediad i'r Cynllun Pensiwn Llywodraeth Leol sy'n darparu pensiwn cyfartalog gyrfa wedi'i gysylltu â mynegai pan fyddwch yn ymddeol. Mae gorchudd Marwolaeth yn y Gwasanaeth hefyd yn cael ei gynnwys ac fel aelod o'r LGPS, gallwch fynd â hyn ychydig yn bellach gyda'n Cynllun AVC Cost Rhannol trwy'n partneriaid yn My Money Matters. Byddwch yn arbed ar Ffôn Incwm ac Yswiriant Gwladol – gan wneud hyn yn ffordd ddoeth i dyfu eich arbedion pensiwn hyd yn ei gwelâ real goethe.

Rydym yn cynnig pecyn gwyliau blynyddol hael, yn dechrau ar 28 diwrnod ac yn codi i 33 diwrnod ar ôl 5 mlynedd, yn ogystal â'r opsiwn i brynu hyd at 10 diwrnod ychwanegol bob blwyddyn. Mae gennym fanteision rhieni rhannu gwyliau mam a thad deniadol, llawer ohonynt yn uwch na'r hyn sy'n ofynnol o fewn y gyfraith. Rydym hefyd yn darparu aelodaeth hwyliau gydag argaeledd i ganolfannau hamdden ledled y ddinas yn ogystal â thocynnau bws a trên rhatach.

Mae'r Cyngor wedi ymrwymo i hybu a chefnogi iechyd, diogelwch a lles ei weithwyr. Rydym yn cynnig rhaglen cymorth cyflogwyr am ddim a chyfrinachol, sydd yn darparu llinell cymorth gyfrinachol 24/7, gyda arbenigwyr cefnogi ar gael. Mae yna hefyd gefnogaeth gynhwysfawr ar-lein ar amrywiaeth eang o faterion.

Gwybodaeth Ychwanegol

Nid yw polisi Amser Hyblyg y Cyngor yn berthnasol i’r swydd hon ond, mae’r swydd yn agored i unigolion sy’n dymuno bod â phatrymau gwaith hyblyg, yn amodol ar fodloni anghenion ein cleientiaid a dangos ystyriaeth i drefniadau gwaith aelodau presennol y Tîm.

Mae'r swydd hon yn addas i'w rhannu ar yr amod bod gweithiwr / ymgeisydd cymwys arall sydd â phrofiad addas yn dymuno ei rhannu.

Mae’r swydd hon yn gyfyngedig yn wleidyddol.

I gael trafodaeth anffurfiol am y swydd hon, cysylltwch â Debbie Marles, Cyfarwyddwr Llywodraethu a Gwasanaethau Cyfreithiol drwy e-bost [e-mail] gydag unrhyw ymholiadau, gan roi eich rhif ffôn ac argaeledd.

Bydd yr ymgeiswyr hynny sy'n llwyddiannus ar y cam ffurflen gais yn cael eu gwahodd i cyfweliad a fydd yn cynnwys prawf ysgrifenedig a chyflwyniad.

Dylech wneud cais am y swydd hon dri ddefnyddio ein ffurflen gais ar-lein a argymhellir sydd ar gael yn Vacancies – Cardiff Council or https://www.jobscardiffcouncil.co.uk.

Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer ceisiadau ar gyfer y swydd hon yw: 15fed Rhagfyr 2026

Os ydych wedi cael eich rhestru'n fyr, fe'ch gwahoddir i gymryd rhan mewn cyfweliad. Byddwn yn cysylltu â'r holl ymgeiswyr i'w hysbysu os ydynt wedi cael eu rhestru'n fyr ai peidio.