Democratic Services Manager

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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.

Overview of the Democratic Services Manager

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.

• Line management: Democratic Services Officer, Scrutiny Officer and Civic Officer.

General duties of the Democratic Services Manager

• Present to a wide range of audiences, including Panels, Working Groups and Committees, on complex matters. This will involve interpreting legislative requirements, providing practical guidance on how these will operate in practice, and responding to questions and challenges during presentations.
• 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.

Our offer to you:

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. As well as working from home, we feel it is important that you have the opportunity to spend time in the workplace with your colleagues to help you learn, develop and engage.

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.