Head of Democratic Services

Location: Brighton and Hove
Contract: Interim
Start date: End of November, with a period of handover
Working pattern: Office attendance around 2 days per week

About the role

Our client is a city council on the south coast, looking to appoint an Interim Head of Democratic Services to lead its democratic and committee functions. The assignment starts around the end of November and includes a handover period, so the successful candidate can build an understanding of the service before taking full responsibility.

The role leads the team responsible for the council’s decision-making processes, including committee administration, member support and the governance arrangements that keep meetings and decisions running lawfully and transparently. It carries day-to-day responsibility for the service, with regular contact with elected members, senior officers and the wider organisation.

This suits an experienced democratic services leader who can step into a busy environment, provide steady leadership and maintain the quality of the service throughout the assignment. Office attendance is around two days per week, with the remainder of the working week managed flexibly.

Main responsibilities

• Lead and manage the democratic services team, providing direction, support and oversight of workload
• Oversee the administration of full council, committee and other formal meetings
• Provide procedural and constitutional advice to elected members and senior officers
• Support the council’s governance arrangements, including the constitution and its day-to-day application
• Manage the forward plan, agenda publication and decision-making processes in line with statutory requirements
• Oversee member support, including induction, training and development arrangements
• Work with the Monitoring Officer and senior leadership team on governance matters
• Oversee scrutiny arrangements and support the work of scrutiny committees
• Manage electoral and related democratic processes, where these sit within the service
• Ensure service delivery meets legislative, regulatory and transparency requirements

Requirements

• Significant experience in a senior democratic services or committee services role within local government
• A strong working knowledge of local government law, constitutional arrangements and committee procedures
• Experience of advising elected members and senior officers on governance and procedure
• Experience of leading and managing a team
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the credibility to work at senior level
• Sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities in a politically sensitive environment
• Availability to start around the end of November and to take part in a handover
• Ability to attend the office around 2 days per week

The offer

This is an interim position starting around the end of November, with a handover period built in. Office attendance is around two days per week. The rate and assignment length will be confirmed with candidates.

If you are an experienced democratic services leader looking for an interim role with real scope and visibility, this assignment offers a clear remit and a structured start. Apply below.