Principal Ruling Group Support Officer

Liverpool City Council; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental authority in Liverpool is looking for a Principal Ruling Group Support Officer. This role involves overseeing support for the ruling political group, managing administrative functions, and developing relationships with local politicians. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in a political environment and be skilled in research and communication. The position offers over 31 days of holiday, flexible working options, and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

31+ days holiday

Agile working options

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted Gym Memberships

Family friendly policies

Qualifications

• Significant experience working in a high-profile political environment.
• Ability to manage competing demands in a political context.
• Experience in horizon scanning and briefing on complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Oversee support to the Council’s ruling political group.
• Provide administrative support and day-to-day management of staff.
• Research and brief on contentious and complex issues.

Skills

Political acumen

Effective communication

Research skills

Relationship management

Job description

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

The role:

• An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Democratic Services Team as the Principal Ruling Group Support Officer responsible for overseeing the support to the Council’s ruling political group.
• As Principal Ruling Group Support Officer, you will be responsible for providing a wide range of administrative functions to ensure efficient and effective operational support services are provided to all Members of the ruling political group, including day-to-day line management of staff, prioritisation of work programmes, and the provision of administrative support. You will be aware of local and national issues developments affecting the Council and will be able to proactively research and brief on contentious, complex, and nuanced issues.
• We are looking for an individual with the political acumen and capability to manage the competing demands of this role related to attending committees, working parties, panels, and functions, responding to complex issues and situations arising on behalf of the Leader, Cabinet, and ruling political group, and developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with local and regional politicians, including MPs and senior officials from regional and central government departments.
• As Principal Ruling Group Support Officer, the successful candidate should have significant and demonstrable experience of working in a high-profile political environment. In addition, the post holder should also excel at horizon scanning, ensuring the Leader, Cabinet, and ruling political group are briefed and kept informed of key issues and developments at a local and national level affecting the City Council.
• This is a politically restricted post as set out in the main provisions of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act (Section 2). The law aims to ensure the political impartiality of local government staff who hold posts involving duties of a politically sensitive nature.

Our offer to you:

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part-time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression -opportunities and training through a wide range of high-quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time –a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme
• Medicash

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact [e-mail]

Closing date:

Midnight on Sunday 18 January 2026.

Shortlisting date:

Week commencing Monday 19 January 2026.

Interview date:

Week commencing Monday 26 January 2026.

Interview type:

Face-to-face.

We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please complete an application as early as possible.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at [e-mail].

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.