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- Tasks: Lead democratic governance processes and manage committee meetings for two councils.
- Company: Wandsworth Council, committed to equality and diversity.
- Benefits: 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance and support community engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in governance, excellent communication skills, and political sensitivity.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
The predicted salary is between 48873 - 62451 £ per year.
The Democratic Services team is a single staff team in the Chief Executive’s directorate supporting two separate sovereign unitary Councils: Richmond-Upon-Thames and Wandsworth. This management role sits at the heart of the formal decision-making and overview and scrutiny processes in the Council. You will be working alongside politicians and senior officers across all departments, as well as providing advice and information to members of the public. You will be based mainly in Wandsworth, but you will be expected to work flexibly across both boroughs, as necessary. You and your team will support a range of Executive, Scrutiny and Regulatory Committees, as well as school admission and exclusion appeals, licensing appeals and charity administration.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Council’s democratic governance processes.
- Oversee the coordination, planning and delivery of committee meetings, scrutiny work, forward plans, agendas, reports, minutes and decision records to ensure smooth, transparent and legally compliant decision‑making.
- Provide expert governance advice to Members and senior officers.
- Act as a trusted source of guidance on constitutional rules, decision‑making procedures, standing orders, declarations of interest and wider governance matters.
- Manage and develop a small team.
- Lead, support and supervise 2–3 Democratic Services Officers, fostering a positive working environment, monitoring performance and developing skills within the team.
- Drive service improvement and digital innovation.
- Develop and embed the use of ICT, governance software and emerging technologies to improve the democratic process, enhance service delivery and support continuous improvement.
- Lead projects and support key corporate responsibilities.
- Manage governance‑related projects, oversee the School Appeals Service, support Member induction and development, promote resident engagement in decision‑making, and deputise for senior governance leaders when required.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- A track record in working in governance and knowledge of UK local authority constitutions.
- Acute political sensitivity and judgement.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- The ability to explain complex guidance and demonstrate confidence in providing constitutional advice to Councillors and Officers in a range of meeting situations.
- Good IT skills, including the Microsoft suite of packages, remote and hybrid meeting technology and decision‑management systems.
- The ability to work with a minimum of supervision whilst supervising and managing others; work well under pressure, often to competing deadlines; and demonstrate excellent time management.
Closing Dates
- Closing Date: Sunday, 12th April 2026
- Shortlisting Date: Week commencing Monday 13th April 2026
- Interview Date: Week commencing Monday 27th April 2026
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.
Equality and Diversity
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 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. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Benefits
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.
Democratic Services Manager in London employer: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Democratic Services Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the democratic services field, attend local council meetings, or join relevant online forums. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that perfect role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of local governance and decision-making processes. We should be ready to discuss how we can contribute to the smooth running of committees and provide expert advice to members.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our skills in digital innovation! If we have experience with governance software or improving processes through technology, let’s highlight that in conversations. It’s a big plus for any council looking to enhance their services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep an eye on new opportunities as they come up, so we’re always in the loop.
We think you need these skills to ace Democratic Services Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Democratic Services Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. Don't hesitate to demonstrate your ability to explain complex information in a straightforward way.
Highlight Your Governance Experience: We want to see your track record in governance, so be sure to include specific examples of your past work in local authority settings. This will help us understand your expertise and political sensitivity.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
✨Know Your Governance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK local authority constitutions and governance processes. Be ready to discuss how you would handle complex decision-making scenarios and provide constitutional advice, as this role is all about supporting the democratic processes.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working with politicians and senior officers, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent written and oral communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information in the past, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Team Leadership Matters
As a Democratic Services Manager, you'll be leading a small team. Think about your leadership style and be prepared to share how you foster a positive working environment, support team development, and manage performance. Highlight any previous experience in team management.
✨Embrace Digital Innovation
This role involves driving service improvement through technology. Familiarise yourself with governance software and emerging technologies that can enhance service delivery. Be ready to discuss how you've used IT solutions to improve processes in your previous roles.