Democratic Services Manager - Flexible & Governance Focus

Permanent Full-time (flexible working arrangements are available) in Wandsworth. Cover in Richmond may be required from time to time. Immediate start available (subject to pre-employment checks).

Objective of role: 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.

About The Role: Wandsworth Council operates a ‘Leader and Cabinet’ system of governance.

You Will Be Required To:

• 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, leading, supporting and supervising 2–3 Democratic Services Officers, fostering a positive working environment, monitoring performance and developing skills within the team.
• Drive service improvement and digital innovation by developing and embedding 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, managing governance‑related projects, overseeing the School Appeals Service, supporting Member induction and development, promoting resident engagement in decision‑making, and deputising 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 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.

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. 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).

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.