Team Leader - Democratic & Electoral Services (Maternity Cover) in Gloucester

Role Overview

As Democratic and Electoral Services Team Leader, you will be responsible for managing the delivery of high‑quality democratic services, supporting the Council's decision‑making processes, and ensuring the effective administration of elections and electoral registration. You will lead and develop a small professional team, working closely with elected members, senior officers and external partners to ensure the Council meets its statutory obligations and maintains the highest standards of governance.

The role involves overseeing the administration of Council, Cabinet and committee meetings, providing procedural and constitutional advice, supporting member development and engagement, and managing the delivery of local and national elections, referendums and electoral registration activities. You will also play a leading role, alongside the Head of Policy and Governance, in preparing for and delivering Shadow Authority elections as part of local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery of democratic services, elections and electoral registration.
• Lead and develop a small professional team.
• Provide procedural and constitutional advice to Council, Cabinet and committee meetings.
• Support member development and engagement.
• Play a leading role in the preparations for and delivery of Shadow Authority elections.
• Ensure the Council continues to deliver efficient, effective and customer‑focused democratic and electoral services.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working within Democratic and Electoral Services.
• Strong understanding of local government governance arrangements, constitutional processes and electoral law.
• Track record of delivering projects associated with these service areas.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with elected members, senior officers and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work under pressure, exercise sound judgment and provide clear and impartial advice in a politically sensitive environment.
• Experience leading staff, managing workloads and delivering projects.
• High standard of IT skills and experience of committee management and electoral management software.
• Willingness and ability to undertake evening work on a regular basis, particularly in support of Council meetings and elections.
• Own transport.

Legal Requirement

Under the Immigration Act 2016, anyone appointed to a customer‑facing role must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.

Work Environment

The main office is based in the Eastgate Centre on Eastgate Street, an accessible, modern and light space designed for collaborative working. It is open plan with a living green wall and plants, and offers flexible and agile working to give staff a great work‑life balance. The role combines remote and office‑based work.

Benefits

• Flexible, hybrid/agile working opportunities.
• Generous annual leave entitlement: 25 days year‑one rising to 30 days after 5 years of continuous service.
• Option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part‑time staff).
• 2 days paid leave each year to participate in local volunteering activities.
• Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and life cover of 3 times your salary.
• Regular training, career development and qualification opportunities.
• Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free, confidential counselling and advice available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone, and an in‑house occupational health service.
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave and pay.
• Cycle to Work scheme (salary sacrifice – terms & conditions apply).
• Car scheme (salary sacrifice – terms & conditions apply).
• Employee discount scheme.
• Discounted tickets for local events and reduced‑rate use of leisure facilities.
• Free flu‑jabs.
• Access to employee‑led networks such as Black Workers, Prism (LGBT+), Carers, Disability and the Young Employees Network, and opportunities to participate in our Equalities Working Group.