Deputy Electoral Services Manager - Richmond

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are recruiting an experienced Deputy Electoral Services Manager to join the Better Service Partnership. You will join a busy Electoral Services team, supporting the Head of Service with the critical delivery of elections and electoral registration. Electoral Services at Richmond and Wandsworth Councils operate as two separate council services; you will be supporting Richmond. The overall purpose of the Better Service Partnership is to provide the highest quality of service at the lowest attainable cost.

About the Role

You will have day-to-day management of the electoral services team, as well as deputising for the Head of Service. The post holder will be managing a team of Electoral Services Officers, Temporary Election Admin Staff, and Casual Canvassers. You will help keep the service moving forward, making full use of modern tools and data to drive further efficiencies into our working practices. Creativity and innovation are encouraged to ensure we meet future legislative changes and provide a modern and customer-centric service to our residents and key stakeholders. This role offers a hybrid working arrangement outside of election periods, requiring you to be in the office 2 to 3 days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely for the remaining days.

Key Responsibilities:

• You will take a leading role in the organisation of elections and referendums, including the management and delivery of absent votes, the organisation of count procedures, provision and coordination of polling stations, overseeing the preparation and presentation of election staff training, and the provision of Candidates and Agents information.
• Leading the day-to-day development, motivation, and supervision of the electoral services team.
• Fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment, encouraging professional growth and high performance.
• Assisting the Head of Service with the monitoring and control of electoral budgets.
• Ensuring financial resources are allocated effectively and efficiently, adhering to budgetary constraints.
• Supporting the Head of Service with the coordination of registration and election publicity campaigns and engagement initiatives.
• Developing and implementing engagement initiatives to increase public awareness and participation in electoral processes.
• Delivering high-quality and effective electoral registration and election management in a post-Elections Act environment.
• Ensuring compliance with new regulations and adapting processes to meet evolving legislative requirements.
• Fostering good working relationships with members of the public, councillors, and other key partners.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• Good working knowledge of relevant legislation and Electoral Commission guidance relating to the management of elections and the electoral registration process.
• Ability to take the lead with registration or election project work with minimal supervision.
• Experience of working in a supervisory/management role in electoral administration.
• Experience of working with both electoral registration and election management IT databases.
• Proven experience of leading and motivating a team to deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service under pressure to meet statutory deadlines.
• Possession of, or willingness to study for, the AEA Certificate in Electoral Administration.

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.