Service Manager - Electoral Services

Wiltshire Career Site; Trowbridge; Hybrid; GBP 67,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Wiltshire Council is seeking an experienced Electoral Services Manager to lead the delivery of elections, referendums and electoral registration across the county. You will oversee the Register of Electors, manage absent voting, and help drive democratic engagement.

You will act as Deputy Returning Officer when required, support statutory responsibilities, and provide expert advice to councillors, parties, and the public while guiding a team and managing complex projects within a demanding

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in electoral/public sector environments.
• Strong understanding of electoral processes, legislation and best practices.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, mitigate risk and deliver results.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of elections, referendums, and electoral registration activities.
• Oversee the Register of Electors and absent voting arrangements.
• Provide expert advice to councillors, parties, agents and the public; manage budgets and external contracts.
• Develop and nurture partnerships; mentor a diverse electoral services team.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & compliance

Budget management

Contract management

Strategic thinking

Public sector experience

Job description

Salary: £66,984 - £71,264 per annum

Hours per week: 37 hours

Interview date: To be confirmed after shortlisting

Electoral services sit at the heart of local democracy, ensuring every eligible resident has the opportunity to make their voice heard. At Wiltshire Council, we are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Electoral Services Manager to lead the delivery of all elections, referendums and electoral registration activity across the county. As the Council’s strategic elections lead and technical expert, you will oversee the Register of Electors and associated statutory processes, manage absent voting arrangements, and help drive democratic engagement across Wiltshire’s communities.

The Electoral Services team is responsible for delivering elections for one of the largest areas in the country, ensuring every poll is conducted in accordance with current legislation, national guidance and electoral best practice. Working closely with the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer, you will act as Deputy Returning Officer and Deputy Electoral Registration Officer when required, supporting the delivery of statutory responsibilities and ensuring services remain accurate, transparent and legally compliant. You will provide expert advice to councillors, political parties, agents and the public, while managing complex projects, mitigating risk and resolving issues within a demanding legislative framework.

This is a significant leadership role with responsibility for managing and developing a skilled Electoral Services team, including both permanent and temporary election staff. You will foster a culture of continuous improvement, oversee budgets and resources, manage external contracts, and build effective partnerships across the organisation and beyond. If you are an experienced electoral professional with strong leadership skills, sound technical expertise and a passion for supporting democracy, we would love to hear from you and welcome your contribution to this vital public service

Why us?

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.

Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer-facing roles work entirely from their service location.

We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

Contact details

Ceri Tocock, Head of Customers and Communication, [e-mail]

Application criteria

We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.

Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion

Disability Confident Employer

Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).

Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.

Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.