Civic Recruitment Limited
Democratic Services Manager
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Regulatory Business Manager – 6 Month Contract
Location: Surrey
Rate: £45.00 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract: 6 Month Contract
Hours: Full Time
Pay: Bi-weekly
About the Role
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Regulatory Business Manager to join Surrey County Council's Law & Governance Service. This senior leadership role sits at the heart of the Council's democratic decision-making process and is responsible for leading the delivery of Cabinet and Regulatory Committee functions. You will ensure meetings are conducted in accordance with statutory requirements, constitutional rules, and best practice standards while providing expert governance and procedural advice to Members and senior officers.
Operating within a complex political environment, you will play a key role in supporting the Council's political leadership, maintaining high standards of governance, and ensuring the effective management of democratic processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of the Council's Cabinet and Regulatory Committee functions.
- Manage a designated area of the Democratic Services Team, including staff, processes, performance, and service delivery.
- Provide expert constitutional, procedural, and governance advice to Members and senior officers.
- Support the Leader, Cabinet Members, and senior stakeholders in delivering the Council's political agenda.
- Ensure all committee meetings comply with statutory requirements, the Constitution, and best practice.
- Oversee the preparation and quality assurance of:
- Agendas
- Reports
- Decision Sheets
- Minutes
- Governance Documentation
- Manage the flow of business between Cabinet, Council, Select Committees, and Regulatory Committees.
- Manage the Council's School Admission Appeals Service.
- Support strategic decision-making through high-quality governance advice and guidance.
- Ensure effective delivery of democratic services and corporate governance arrangements.
- Lead service improvement, change management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop positive relationships with Members, officers, partners, and external stakeholders.
- Manage competing priorities and complex work programmes across the service.
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Leadership Responsibilities
- Provide visible leadership across the Democratic Services function.
- Manage, motivate, coach, and develop staff.
- Lead performance management and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Allocate resources effectively to ensure service objectives are met.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellent customer service.
- Contribute to budget and resource planning within the service area.
Essential Requirements
- Extensive experience within:
- Democratic Services
- Governance
- Committee Services
- Local Government Administration
- Significant experience managing committee services within a Local Authority environment.
- Extensive knowledge of:
- Local Government legislation
- Constitutional governance
- Committee procedures
- Decision-making processes
- Political structures within local government
- Experience advising elected Members and senior officers.
- Strong understanding of political management and governance issues.
- Experience managing and developing staff.
- Ability to operate effectively within a politically sensitive environment.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Strong report-writing and presentation skills.
- Experience leading service improvement and organisational change.
- Ability to manage complex workloads and competing priorities.
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Desirable Requirements
- Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Experience managing School Admission Appeals.
- Experience leading Democratic Services or Governance teams.
- Experience managing budgets and resources.
- Project management or change management experience.
What's on Offer?
- £45.00 per hour (Umbrella)
- 6 Month Contract
- Location: Surrey
- Bi-weekly Pay
- Senior leadership opportunity within a high-profile governance function.
- Work closely with elected Members, Cabinet, and senior officers.
- Influence strategic decision-making and corporate governance across the Council.
- Opportunity to lead and develop a key Democratic Services function.
Suitable for candidates with experience as a Regulatory Business Manager, Democratic Services Manager, Governance Manager, Committee Services Manager, Principal Democratic Services Officer, Governance Lead, Senior Committee Services Officer, or Democratic Services Team Manager.
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