Interim Head of Compliance and Transparency

Are you a senior compliance professional with a passion for governance, transparency, and public accountability? The Electoral Commission is looking for an Interim Head of Compliance and Transparency to join them on a 6-month contract. This is a significant leadership role within one of the UK's most important democratic institutions, responsible for regulating political finance and ensuring the integrity of elections across the UK.

If you bring deep expertise in compliance frameworks, regulatory enforcement, and transparency — and you're comfortable operating at senior leadership level in a complex, high-profile, and politically sensitive environment — this is an outstanding opportunity to make a genuine impact.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Owning, leading, and managing the strategic and operational delivery of the Commission's registration, compliance, and transparency functions.
• Overseeing the registration of political parties and campaigners, and the ongoing maintenance of the Commission's registers.
• Managing the receipt, publication, and checking of financial returns from political parties and campaigners to ensure statutory compliance.
• Taking evidence and risk-based regulatory decisions in a fast-paced, high-profile, and politically sensitive environment.
• Owning and managing Quality Management Systems and regulated financial information, ensuring best practice information management in line with the Commission's strategic priorities.
• Representing the Commission externally, maintaining and developing senior relationships with political parties, campaigners, governments across the UK, and other regulators and stakeholders.
• Actively contributing to the leadership of the directorate as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, working collaboratively with other Heads of Service on overall regulatory strategy.
• Leading, inspiring, and developing the Registration, Compliance and Transparency Team — setting challenging objectives, driving high performance, and building skills and expertise across the team.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• Significant experience in a senior compliance, regulatory, or governance role.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in a complex organisational environment.
• Experience taking risk-based regulatory decisions in a sensitive, high-profile environment.
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, regulatory enforcement, and transparency obligations.
• Experience owning and managing quality management systems and regulated data or financial information.
• Demonstrable track record of managing senior external stakeholder relationships, including with regulated entities.
• Experience operating at Senior Leadership Team level, contributing to organisational strategy beyond your immediate function.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to interpret complex legislation and policy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting clearly to executive and board-level audiences.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Experience within an electoral, political finance, or democratic institutions context.
• Knowledge of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) or similar legislation.
• Background in public sector regulatory or compliance environments.
• Experience representing an organisation externally with government, regulators, or similar bodies.

IMPORTANT BEFORE APPLYING

This role is inside IR35 and will be engaged on a PAYE basis. Candidates must be based within commutable distance of Edinburgh, Cardiff, or Belfast and able to attend the office a minimum of 2 days per week.

For more information please contact David.