Leader and Cabinet Support Office Manager

A bit about us

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services. We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

The role

Liverpool City Council is seeking an accomplished manager with strong political acumen to join the Democratic Services Team and lead the office responsible for supporting the political leadership. You will set clear priorities and standards, manage the team and its resources, and ensure a coordinated, confidential and high-quality support service, acting with impartiality and sound judgement.

• Lead, manage and develop a team of up to six officers, allocating work and resources, setting clear standards and building a responsive, accountable service.
• Take ownership of office operations, systems and workflows, ensuring priorities are planned, responsibilities are clear and the service remains resilient when demands change.
• Oversee the coordination and quality of diaries, meetings, events, briefings, correspondence and decision-making support.
• Lead horizon scanning, research and briefing arrangements, ensuring the political leadership receive timely, accurate and balanced information on local, regional and national developments, emerging risks and opportunities, and complex issues affecting the Council.
• Maintain oversight of priorities, commitments and actions arising from the work of the political leadership. Agree responsibilities and timescales with relevant services, monitor progress, coordinate follow-up and use constructive challenge or appropriate escalation where delivery is at risk.
• Drive continuous improvement in office processes, information management and ways of working.
• Develop effective working relationships with local and regional elected representatives, MPs, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, partner organisations and government departments, representing the office where authorised and coordinating responses to significant or sensitive matters.
• Build constructive relationships with the Corporate Management Team, senior managers, Democratic Services and services across the Council, translating requirements into clear organisational responses and helping to resolve barriers to delivery.

What can you bring to the role

• You will bring a strong understanding of local government and the political acumen, impartiality, discretion and sound judgement needed to operate confidently in a complex and fast-moving environment.
• Substantial experience managing a busy, high-profile office or support function, with responsibility for staff, resources, performance and service standards.
• A proven ability to build credibility and work effectively with elected Members, senior leaders, officers and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written, analytical, organisational and influencing skills.
• A strong record of prioritising competing demands, improving systems, maintaining operational resilience and coordinating complex work through a team.

This is an opportunity to play a visible role at the heart of an ambitious city, supporting effective leadership, governance and delivery for Liverpool’s residents.

Our offer to you

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days.
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception.
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme.
• Progression opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning.
• Health and Wellbeing offer including Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes.
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme.
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave.
• Discounted Gym Memberships.
• Employee Volunteering Scheme.
• Medicash.

Next steps

• Closing date: midnight on Sunday 6th September 2026.
• Shortlisting date: W/C 7th September 2026.
• Interview date: W/C 21st September 2026.
• Interview type: Face to face.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.