Electoral Services Manager

Be at the heart of local democracy

Few roles combine meticulous planning, fast-paced delivery, technical expertise and public service quite like elections.

At Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, we are looking for an Electoral Services Manager who can bring all of those qualities together. You will lead the delivery of electoral events across the Borough, oversee electoral registration and the annual canvass, and provide trusted technical advice to senior officers, the Returning Officer, elected members, candidates, agents and other stakeholders.

This is an opportunity for an electoral professional who knows what excellent looks like, remains calm when the pressure is on, and has the drive to take responsibility for delivering an accurate, resilient and forward-thinking service.

A role where the detail really matters

From the months of careful preparation to the intensity of polling day and the count, you will be the person helping to make sure everything comes together.

You will project manage parliamentary, regional, local, parish and town elections, referendums and polls, ensuring legislative requirements and Electoral Commission performance standards are met. You will also oversee electoral registration and the annual canvass, train temporary electoral and canvass staff and act as Deputy Electoral Registration Officer.

You'll provide authoritative advice on electoral law and procedure, manage statutory returns and election-related financial processes, and support work including Polling District, Electoral, Boundary and Community Governance Reviews.

And you won't be doing it alone.

Lead a team that cares about getting it right

You will manage, support and develop a team comprising one Senior Elections Officer and three Elections Officers.

It is a friendly, supportive and dedicated team that genuinely enjoys its work. You will also have the backing of a supportive Returning Officer and an engaged Head of Service.

We want someone who can create calm and clarity when demands are high, motivate others through challenging election periods and develop the team for the future.

There is a real opportunity to shape and improve the service too. The Council elects by thirds and takes a proactive approach to technology and innovation within electoral services, creating opportunities to develop your expertise while helping us look ahead to what effective electoral administration should become.

About you

We're looking for someone with substantial electoral services expertise who understands that successful elections depend equally on knowledge, preparation, judgement, leadership and attention to detail.

You will have experience of:

• project planning and delivering electoral events and the annual canvass
• managing or supervising electoral services staff
• managing budgets
• providing advice and guidance to senior officers, politicians, candidates, agents and other stakeholders.

You will bring extensive knowledge of electoral and registration law, Electoral Commission statutory guidance, project and risk management, and election and electoral registration systems. Experience of Xpress and governance reviews would be an advantage, but not necessary.

Importantly, you will be a holder of, or studying towards, the AEA Certificate in Electoral Administration. An AEA Diploma in Electoral Administration would be desirable.

Just as important is how you work. We are looking for someone who is:

calm under pressure | accurate and precise | professional and diplomatic | politically impartial | resilient | adaptable | forward-thinking

You'll need the confidence to make sound decisions and provide trusted advice, together with the personal commitment to see complex projects through from beginning to end, even as priorities shift around you.

We are realistic about elections

We know this isn't always a 9-to-5 job.

Outside election periods, the role focuses on leading the team, electoral registration, service delivery and planning ahead for elections and the canvass. During an election, the pace changes considerably, with statutory deadlines, candidates and political parties, postal votes, polling stations, casual workers and the count all needing to come together. Overtime is common and expected during election periods.

If that environment energises rather than daunts you, you could be exactly who we're looking for.

What we offer

• Financial: An attractive basic salary within a clear pay structure. A starting salary of £51,038, increasing to £52,381 after one year’s service and £53,724 after 2 years’ service subject to manager approval.
• Holiday Entitlement: 26 days annual leave (increasing to 29 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus three additional days in December and bank holidays.
• Pension: Membership of the Local Government (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme – Employer contribution of 16.8%.
• Free staff parking.
• Hybrid Working: Following successful completion of your probation, you will be able to work on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of two days each week in the office, subject to service requirements.
• Access to HAPI an all-in-one benefits hub, giving you easy access to a wide range of employee perks, wellbeing support, discounts, and everyday savings.
• Personal Development: AEA membership and access to AEA courses and webinars as well as on-the-job development, e-learning and mentoring from the Head of Service.
• Employee Assistance Programme: The Council has partnered with Health Assured to provide staff with access to EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to assist in balancing everyday life with the requirement of work and home.
• Learn more about working at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council: explore the kind of place we are, work that matters with people who care, and our pay, benefits, and hybrid working.

Ready for your next electoral challenge?

If you are an experienced electoral professional who is passionate about good governance, electoral equality and political impartiality, and you have the technical expertise and leadership skills to deliver when it really matters, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a politically sensitive post.

Closing date: 25 November 2026
Interview date: 1 December 2026

Apply now and help us deliver electoral services our residents, candidates and communities can have confidence in.

A detailed list of responsibilities and person criteria for the role can be viewed in the Job Description and Person Specification below.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Jane Clarke, Head of Policy & Governance, on 01892 55483 or Jane.Clarke@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Equal Opportunities

Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.