Head of Democratic Services

Head of Democratic Services

Location: Hove, East Sussex (hybrid – 3 days onsite) Contract: Temporary, initially 3 months Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week (4 days per week considered) Rate: £34.58 per hour PAYE or £46.36 per hour Umbrella

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Head of Democratic Services to provide strategic leadership across Democratic Services, Overview and Scrutiny, and Civic Office functions within a local authority.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior local government professional with a strong understanding of democratic governance, political processes and council decision-making to take on a key leadership role, ensuring that democratic arrangements operate effectively, efficiently and in accordance with relevant legislation.

Working closely with elected Members, senior officers and key stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in supporting transparent decision-making, maintaining high standards of governance and driving continuous improvement across democratic services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to Democratic Services, Overview and Scrutiny, and Civic Office teams, ensuring high-quality service delivery and effective performance management.

• Act as a trusted adviser on democratic governance, constitutional matters, political processes and council decision-making arrangements.

• Advise senior officers, elected Members, committee chairs and political group leaders on complex, sensitive and politically significant issues, maintaining impartiality and sound professional judgement.

• Oversee the planning and coordination of Council, Cabinet and committee business, including meeting schedules, the Forward Plan, political balance and committee appointments.

• Lead the development and review of constitutional arrangements, democratic structures and decision-making procedures in response to legislative and organisational change.

• Support effective Overview and Scrutiny arrangements, enabling Members to challenge decisions, contribute to policy development and hold decision-makers to account.

• Ensure elected Members receive appropriate advice, information, administrative support and development opportunities.

• Oversee Members' allowances, declarations of interest, hospitality registers and associated governance and transparency requirements.

• Provide leadership for civic and ceremonial functions and ensure effective support for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

• Manage budgets, resources, service performance and team development, promoting innovation and continuous improvement.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Significant experience working within local government in a senior management, Democratic Services or closely related governance role.

• A strong understanding of local authority governance, political structures, constitutional arrangements and formal decision-making processes.

• Experience advising elected Members, senior officers and other stakeholders on complex or politically sensitive matters.

• Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate teams and deliver effective services.

• Experience managing competing priorities, service budgets and operational demands in a challenging public sector environment.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the diplomacy and judgement required to operate in a politically sensitive setting.

• The ability to remain impartial while building effective relationships across political groups and the wider organisation.

A specific professional qualification is not essential; relevant senior-level experience and demonstrable expertise are key.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced local government professional with the leadership skills and democratic governance expertise to make an impact in this role, we would welcome your application.

Please submit your CV, highlighting your relevant experience in Democratic Services, local authority governance and senior stakeholder management. Please also include your hourly rate expectations, as an enhanced rate may be considered for the right candidate.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a one-stage interview via Microsoft Teams