Senior Manager Democratic Support and Elections
| Posting date: | 26 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £54,495 to £58,883 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 13 February 2026 |
| Location: | Lancaster, Lancashire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Lancaster City Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 291_77 |
Summary
As Senior Manager for Democratic Services, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening local democracy and supporting the Council’s strategic vision. You will also be instrumental in the Council's journey into Local Government Re-organisation, helping to navigate and shape this important transition. Leading a dedicated team, you will ensure smooth council operations, oversee elections, and enhance democratic engagement across the Lancaster District. Your leadership will help shape policies and digital innovations that improve service delivery and community trust.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will plan and manage council meetings, advise councillors and committee chairs, and support elected members’ development. Managing the Register of Electors and helping organise elections will be key, alongside acting, when appointed, as Deputy Returning Officer. You’ll lead your team, coordinate civic events, and manage emergency response efforts. Your role also includes providing procedural advice, representing the Chief Executive as a Trustee, and driving strategic improvements within Democratic Services.
You’ll Fit Right In If…
You bring at least five years’ senior local authority experience and are a member of AEA and/or ADSO. You have strong political awareness, excellent communication skills, and a thorough understanding of election law and local government procedures. You thrive working collaboratively, take pride in delivering high standards, and show ambition and ownership in leading your team to success. Your ICT skills and project management experience will help you drive continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re passionate about making a real difference in local democracy and community life, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more about what it’s like working with us, our benefits, values and culture, by visiting lancaster.gov.uk/sites/recruitment.
Why Work With Us
Our Benefits
• Generous annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Car purchase scheme
• Lifestyle savings
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Volunteering days
• Wellbeing support
Flexible working friendly
We welcome discussions about flexible working and may be able to offer hybrid working, a generous flexi-time scheme, and agreed working hours to support work–life balance.
Inclusive employer
We welcome applications from all parts of the community and are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
We guarantee interviews for applicants with a disability and armed forces veterans who meet the essential criteria.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will plan and manage council meetings, advise councillors and committee chairs, and support elected members’ development. Managing the Register of Electors and helping organise elections will be key, alongside acting, when appointed, as Deputy Returning Officer. You’ll lead your team, coordinate civic events, and manage emergency response efforts. Your role also includes providing procedural advice, representing the Chief Executive as a Trustee, and driving strategic improvements within Democratic Services.
You’ll Fit Right In If…
You bring at least five years’ senior local authority experience and are a member of AEA and/or ADSO. You have strong political awareness, excellent communication skills, and a thorough understanding of election law and local government procedures. You thrive working collaboratively, take pride in delivering high standards, and show ambition and ownership in leading your team to success. Your ICT skills and project management experience will help you drive continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re passionate about making a real difference in local democracy and community life, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more about what it’s like working with us, our benefits, values and culture, by visiting lancaster.gov.uk/sites/recruitment.
Why Work With Us
Our Benefits
• Generous annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Car purchase scheme
• Lifestyle savings
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Volunteering days
• Wellbeing support
Flexible working friendly
We welcome discussions about flexible working and may be able to offer hybrid working, a generous flexi-time scheme, and agreed working hours to support work–life balance.
Inclusive employer
We welcome applications from all parts of the community and are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
We guarantee interviews for applicants with a disability and armed forces veterans who meet the essential criteria.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.