Democratic Services Manager

Overview

In this role you will lead democratic services and scrutiny across the Combined Authority, ensuring governance is lawful, transparent and effective. You will advise elected Members and senior leaders on governance and constitutional matters, supporting key meetings and driving continuous improvement. You will manage a team and strengthen governance arrangements while upholding public confidence. This is a high-impact, leadership role at the heart of democratic decision-making in a growing authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of democratic services and scrutiny support
• Oversee committee and scrutiny services to support meetings and decision-making
• Advise on governance, constitutional matters and decision-making processes
• Lead Member development programmes
• Manage a team of democratic services professionals
• Strengthen governance arrangements and drive continuous improvement
• Promote openness, transparency and accountability across the organisation

Key requirements

• Significant experience in democratic services, governance and scrutiny
• Strong knowledge of local government governance frameworks and constitutional requirements
• Ability to provide robust, impartial advice and challenge where required
• Experience of leading and developing teams and driving service improvement
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across political and organisational boundaries
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and balance competing priorities
• Commitment to public service, integrity, transparency and continuous professional development
• Politically astute and adaptable

• excellent communication
• stakeholder management
• calm under pressure
• governance and scrutiny expertise
• knowledge of local government governance frameworks
• constitutional requirements

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