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- Tasks: Lead the Democratic Services team and ensure effective governance for the Council.
- Company: Rutland County Council, committed to equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, professional development, and competitive salary.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local governance and support elected members.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and significant experience in democratic services required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for learning and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sellick Partnership is delighted to be working with Rutland County Council to recruit their Democratic Services Manager. This role will lead the Democratic Services team and ensure the effective operation of the Council's democratic governance arrangements. The postholder will deliver high-quality decision-making support, provide professional advice to elected members and officers, and ensure that all governance processes comply with statutory requirements and best practice.
Key responsibilities of the Democratic Services Manager:
- Lead the coordination and delivery of all formal Council, Cabinet, Committee and Panel meetings, ensuring agendas, reports and minutes are produced and published in accordance with statutory deadlines.
- Maintain and develop the Council's Constitution and governance framework, ensuring documents are legally compliant, up to date, and accessible.
- Interpret complex legislation, statutory guidance and constitutional rules, providing expert advice to officers and members, and identifying compliant solutions to governance issues.
- Manage, develop and performance-review the Democratic Services team, providing clear direction and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Represent the service at internal and external meetings, working groups, and regional networks.
General duties of the Democratic Services Manager:
- Present to a wide range of audiences, including Panels, Working Groups and Committees, on complex matters.
- Provide professional support, training, and induction to elected members, ensuring they are fully equipped to fulfil their roles.
- Manage statutory functions such as petition handling, Independent Remuneration Panel administration, and community governance reviews.
- Oversee the provision of procedural and administrative support to all democratic bodies, advisory groups, and other governance forums.
- Promote high standards of governance and ethical behaviour across the Council.
- Champion best practice in democratic services and governance to achieve strong outcomes for the Council.
Budget responsibility: Assigned service budget of £0.5m.
Qualifications/experience of the Democratic Services Manager:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development in governance, public administration, or related field.
- Significant experience in democratic services or local authority governance.
- Strong understanding of legislation affecting local government decision-making.
- Ability to interpret legislation and provide clear procedural advice.
Benefits of the Democratic Services Manager role:
- Minimum 27 days annual leave (pro rata), plus paid bank holidays.
- An extra 5 days after 5 years continuous local government service.
- Career breaks and extended periods of leave to support you.
- Free Parking.
- Payment of professional body membership fees if this is a requirement of your role.
- Easy access to learning, coaching and mentoring, and secondment opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
- Flexible working policies to enable you to balance work and home commitments.
- Competitive salary in line with nationally agreed pay scales and a defined benefits pension scheme.
- 24/7 advice, support and counselling for you and your immediate family via our employee assistance programme.
- Cycle to work scheme through the salary sacrifice offering a great deal.
Rutland Council is committed to Flexible Working and understands the benefits of supporting employees to manage their work and life balance, whilst meeting the needs of the service. We are committed to supporting and empowering our staff to be the best workers that they can be and Rutland Council is the place you want to be. Whilst the base for this post is Oakham, Rutland, the Local Authority offers a hybrid working practice.
How to apply for the Democratic Services Manager:
If you feel you have the right experience and would like to apply, please submit your application now to sara.robinson@sellickpartnership.co.uk. For a confidential discussion about the role or working at Rutland County Council contact Sara Robinson at Sellick Partnership on 0161 834 1642.
Rutland County Council is committed to Equality and Diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Everyone at Rutland County Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults and for ensuring that they are protected from harm.
Democratic Services Manager in Oakham employer: Rutland County Council
Contact Detail:
Rutland County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Democratic Services Manager in Oakham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the democratic services field. Attend local council meetings, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals for a chat. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or attend interviews, make sure to highlight your knowledge of governance and legislation. Bring examples of how you've navigated complex issues in the past – it’ll show you’re the right fit for the Democratic Services Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for interviews by rehearsing answers to common questions related to democratic services. Think about how you would handle specific scenarios or challenges that might come up in the role. The more confident you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that dream job. Plus, applying directly through us means you’ll be in the loop for any updates or additional opportunities that pop up. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Democratic Services Manager in Oakham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the Democratic Services Manager role. We want to see how you can lead the team and ensure effective governance, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant examples!
Showcase Your Expertise: When writing your application, emphasise your understanding of local government legislation and decision-making processes. We’re looking for someone who can interpret complex rules and provide clear advice, so make sure to include any relevant experiences that demonstrate this skill.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rutland County Council
✨Know Your Governance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the Council's Constitution and governance framework before your interview. Being able to discuss how you would maintain and develop these documents will show that you're not just familiar with the role, but also proactive about compliance and best practices.
✨Prepare for Complex Legislation Questions
Expect questions that test your understanding of local government legislation. Be ready to interpret complex statutory guidance and provide examples of how you've navigated similar challenges in the past. This will demonstrate your expertise and ability to provide clear procedural advice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Democratic Services Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare to discuss your management style and how you promote a culture of continuous improvement. Share specific examples of how you've developed team members or improved processes in previous roles.
✨Engage with Real-World Scenarios
Think of potential scenarios you might face in this role, such as handling petitions or presenting to committees. Practise articulating your approach to these situations, as it will highlight your practical experience and readiness to tackle the responsibilities of the position.