Democratic Services Manager

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Regulatory Business Manager to join Surrey County Councils Law & Governance Service.

This senior leadership role sits at the heart of the Councils democratic decision-making process and is responsible for leading the delivery of Cabinet and Regulatory Committee functions. You will ensure meetings are conducted in accordance with statutory requirements constitutional rules and best practice standards while providing expert governance and procedural advice to Members and senior officers.

Operating within a complex political environment you will play a key role in supporting the Councils political leadership maintaining high standards of governance and ensuring the effective management of democratic processes.

• Lead the delivery of the Councils Cabinet and Regulatory Committee functions.
  

• Manage a designated area of the Democratic Services Team including staff processes performance and service delivery.
  

• Provide expert constitutional procedural and governance advice to Members and senior officers.
  

• Support the Leader Cabinet Members and senior stakeholders in delivering the Councils political agenda.
  

• Ensure all committee meetings comply with statutory requirements the Constitution and best practice.
  

• Oversee the preparation and quality assurance of:
  

  • Agendas
    
  • Reports
    
  • Decision Sheets
    
  • Minutes
    
  • Governance Documentation
    

• Manage the flow of business between Cabinet Council Select Committees and Regulatory Committees.
  

• Manage the Councils School Admission Appeals Service.
  

• Support strategic decision-making through high-quality governance advice and guidance.
  

• Ensure effective delivery of democratic services and corporate governance arrangements.
  

• Lead service improvement change management and continuous improvement initiatives.
  

• Develop positive relationships with Members officers partners and external stakeholders.
  

• Manage competing priorities and complex work programmes across the service.
  

• Provide visible leadership across the Democratic Services function.
  
• Manage motivate coach and develop staff.
  
• Lead performance management and continuous improvement initiatives.
  
• Allocate resources effectively to ensure service objectives are met.
  
• Promote a culture of collaboration accountability and excellent customer service.
  
• Contribute to budget and resource planning within the service area.
  

• Extensive experience within:
  

  • Democratic Services
    
  • Governance
    
  • Committee Services
    
  • Local Government Administration
    

• Significant experience managing committee services within a Local Authority environment.
  

• Extensive knowledge of:
  

  • Local Government legislation
    
  • Constitutional governance
    
  • Committee procedures
    
  • Decision-making processes
    
  • Political structures within local government
    

• Experience advising elected Members and senior officers.
  

• Strong understanding of political management and governance issues.
  

• Experience managing and developing staff.
  

• Ability to operate effectively within a politically sensitive environment.
  

• Excellent communication negotiation and influencing skills.
  

• Strong report-writing and presentation skills.
  

• Experience leading service improvement and organisational change.
  

• Ability to manage complex workloads and competing priorities.
  

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
  
• Experience managing School Admission Appeals.
  
• Experience leading Democratic Services or Governance teams.
  
• Experience managing budgets and resources.
  
• Project management or change management experience.
  

• 45.00 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• 6 Month Contract
  
• Location: Surrey
  
• Bi-weekly Pay
  
• Senior leadership opportunity within a high-profile governance function.
  
• Work closely with elected Members Cabinet and senior officers.
  
• Influence strategic decision-making and corporate governance across the Council.
  
• Opportunity to lead and develop a key Democratic Services function.
  

Suitable for candidates with experience as a Regulatory Business Manager Democratic Services Manager Governance Manager Committee Services Manager Principal Democratic Services Officer Governance Lead Senior Committee Services Officer or Democratic Services Team Manager.