Hybrid Senior Governance Leader – Democratic Services

VennGroup; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Venn Group's interim governance specialists are recruiting an experienced Interim Head of Democratic Services to join a South East England public authority. The role leads Democratic Services and Overview & Scrutiny, ensuring robust constitutional governance and effective decision-making in a political environment.

You will provide high-level governance advice to Members and officers, oversee scrutiny processes, and guide constitutional development while managing staff and resources in a hybrid

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience within Democratic Services, Governance or Scrutiny.
• Strong knowledge of Local Government legislation, constitutional arrangements and decision-making processes.
• Extensive experience advising elected Members and senior officers.
• Strong understanding of Overview & Scrutiny and statutory governance requirements.
• Previous people management and leadership experience.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders within a politically sensitive environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and operate autonomously on complex governance matters.
• Relevant degree, professional qualification or substantial equivalent senior experience.
• Experience managing budgets and resources would be advantageous.
• Previous experience within a Combined Authority, upper-tier authority or similarly complex governance environment would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Leading the authority's Democratic Services and Overview & Scrutiny functions.
• Providing senior-level constitutional and governance advice to Members and officers.
• Overseeing statutory scrutiny arrangements, including call-in and pre-scrutiny processes.
• Supporting compliant and transparent decision-making across the organisation.
• Leading on constitutional development, governance reviews and emerging governance arrangements.
• Managing and developing Democratic Services and Scrutiny staff.
• Overseeing service performance, resources and relevant budgets.
• Advising on Members' allowances and supporting associated governance processes.
• Building strong relationships with elected Members, senior officers and external partners.
• Providing strategic advice on complex or politically sensitive governance matters.
• Supporting organisational change and embedding effective governance and accountability arrangements.
• Deputising for senior governance leadership where required.

Skills

Senior leadership

Governance

Scrutiny

Constitutional advice

Stakeholder engagement

Budget & resources

Communication (written)

Autonomy

Education

Degree or professional qualification

Job description

Venn Group's interim governance specialists are recruiting an experienced Interim Head of Democratic Services to join a South East England public authority. The role leads Democratic Services and Overview & Scrutiny, ensuring robust constitutional governance and effective decision-making in a political environment.

You will provide high-level governance advice to Members and officers, oversee scrutiny processes, and guide constitutional development while managing staff and resources in a hybrid