Democratic Services Manager

Allen Lane is working with a local authority to fill their vacancy for an interim Democratic Services Team Leader.

3-Month contract length, hybrid working with the expectation of 2-3 times a week in the office.

To be responsible for the delivery of the Council’s democratic services functions including:

• Managing the democratic process
• Ensuring decisions are made and recorded legally
• Providing support and advice to members including decision making, allowances, training etc.
• Providing support to the Lord Mayor and High Sheriff
• Managing the democratic services team including political assistants and the Trade Union Representative

To ensure that systems are in place which allows the Council to comply with its governance commitments in liaison with relevant senior officers

To ensure that effective member support and development services are provided

To service allocated meetings

To lead on key projects as required within democratic services

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of democratic law, policy, procedures, processes, systems and best practice
• A thorough understanding of the council’s constitution
• Project, staff and budget management.
• Efficiency and process improvement techniques e.g. lean etc
• How to manage for high-performance
• How to manage risk effectively

Skills:

• Strong people, performance, project and budget management skills
• Effective strategy and policy development skills
• Good change and risk management skills
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Proven organisational and negotiation skills.
• Ability to interpret complex legislation, regulations and guidance
• High degree of political sensitivity and awareness and ability to deal with politicians and senior officers effectively
• Proven ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines and to make decisions based on own judgement and take responsibility for outcome
• Ability to work under own initiative with minimal supervision