Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager

Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager
We are seeking a seasoned Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager. This position is open to both perm and contract candidates —please contact us to discuss these options.
We are looking for a skilled and passionate individual to continue driving changes. This high-profile role offers daily variety, with commissioners monitoring progress, making it both rewarding and potentially career-enhancing.
You will lead a welcoming and diverse Democratic Services and Scrutiny Team, which, like the council, embraces change-makers and problem-solvers. The role covers a range of responsibilities including committee services - such as licensing and planning, the mayor’s office, cabinet office, statutory appeals, the scrutiny function, and member services.
As the Council’s statutory Scrutiny Officer, you will:
Possess a solid understanding of local government and the decision-making process.
Have a proven track record and, ideally, extensive experience as the primary contact for democratic services within a local authority, offering expert technical advice to officers and members.
Demonstrate exceptional communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with senior officers and members from diverse backgrounds, and produce clear, concise reports on complex issues.
Exhibit strong management skills with the capacity to provide clear leadership and direction to the team.
Have a clear vision of what excellence in democratic services looks like and a passion for helping the council achieve it.
The role offers significant flexibility, including options for remote work. However, committee meetings are held in the evenings on site, and your attendance and support at these meetings are required. An additional allowance is provided for each evening meeting attended.
We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, adaptable, detail-oriented, able to work under pressure, and highly politically aware.
This position is ideal for an experienced team manager seeking a new challenge or career advancement, potentially through a fixed-term secondment if that better suits your current situation.