Democratic Services Manager, Derby City Council

Grade K £43,421 – £46,464 a year
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract type: Permanent

Derby City Council is seeking a Democratic Services Manager, to lead and deliver comprehensive governance support to the local authority, working closely with Derby’s political leaders and most senior officials.

Leading a small team, the successful candidate will be expected to provide comprehensive support to the Council’s committees and scrutiny boards, whilst building strong relationships with stakeholders both within and outside the organisation. Following a two-year project to update the Council Constitution, the postholder will play a leading role in embedding several key governance changes, with a particular focus on reshaping the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny arrangements.

Candidates will have excellent written and verbal communication skills; the ability to manage complex and competing workloads; and be able to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of local government decision-making processes and modern committee management practices. Whilst not essential criteria, any applicant who holds an appropriate qualification in the field of public administration or Democratic Services (for example, the ADSO Diploma in Local Democracy), will be considered favourably.

The role forms part of the Democracy Service, which includes councillor and civic support, school admission appeals and licensing, as well as responsibility for the delivery of citywide elections. As a part of the Democracy Management Team, you will be involved in each of these areas of the Council’s business, helping to deliver the departmental business plan and manage service-level risks.

The role may suit either an experienced manager or a governance professional looking to take the next step in their career, but what is most important is the attitude and approach to your work. If you’re passionate about the democratic process, a confident leader and not afraid to embrace innovative ways of working, we’d love to hear from you.

In return for your hard work and commitment, you will be entitled to access the Council’s flexible hours scheme and enjoy the benefits of hybrid working. We also offer a competitive salary and a host of other benefits: these include support for your continuous professional development, generous annual leave entitlement, membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme, and more. For a comprehensive overview of what we offer, please visit our website: https://www.derby.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers

For an informal discussion, please contact Alex Hough, Head of Democracy, on 01332 643643.

Closing date for applications is 10am on Monday 3rd June 2024

For full details and to apply, please click on the ‘Apply for Job’ button below.