Head of Elections

at  Greater London Authority

KEY INFORMATION

Salary: £66,063 per annum
Grade: 11
Contract type: Fixed Term, Full Time
Reference: 047208
Contract details: 1x Fixed Term until August 2028
Interview date: w/c 9 December
Application closing date: Fri, 22/11/2024 - 23:59

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in managing large multi-million pound programmes and/or projects in a public sector organisation.
• Excellent understanding of and commitment to the GLA’s role and its relationship with London boroughs.
• An excellent understanding of election management, or evidence of quickly being able to build up expertise in a new and complex policy area.

LEVEL 3 INDICATORS OF EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE

• Clarifies ambiguous problems, questioning assumptions to reach a fuller understanding
• Actively challenges the status quo to find new ways of doing things, looking for good practice
• Seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives to help produce workable strategies to address complex issues
• Initiates consultation on opportunities to improve work processes
• Supports the organisation to implement innovative suggestions

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CV AND PERSONAL STATEMENT HAVE A MAXIMUM FILE SIZE OF 1.5MB EACH AND UPLOAD YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT TO THE ‘ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS’ SECTION OF THE FORM, ENSURING YOU ADDRESS THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCIES IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g. “CV – applicant name - 012345).

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT A PERSONAL STATEMENT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

London’s diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.
In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

PLEASE NOTE, ALL CANDIDATES WILL NEED TO CONFIRM THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS APPLICATION FORM IS TRUE AND CORRECT. SHOULD A CANDIDATE DELIBERATELY GIVE FALSE INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE USE OF AI SOFTWARE, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WOULD DISQUALIFY THEM FROM CONSIDERATION.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

ABOUT THE ROLE

London Elects is the GLA team that organises the election of the Mayor of London, the 14 Constituency London Assembly Members, and the 11 London-wide Assembly Members every four years. The next elections are scheduled for Thursday 4 May 2028.
Although part of the GLA, London Elects is operationally independent. It works directly for the Greater London Returning Officer - who is also the GLA Chief Officer - and has a separate budget and reporting lines from other GLA staff. The Deputy Greater London Returning Officer - a member of the GLA’s senior leadership team – is responsible for London Elects.
The scale and complexity of these elections are unique: three ballot papers (and two different voting systems) for an electorate of nearly six million people across 32 boroughs and the City of London. Votes may be counted manually (as was the case in 2024) or electronically (as was the case for previous elections). Either option requires very close partnership working with Constituency and Borough Returning Officers and their electoral teams in each borough. Consideration also needs to be given to the possibility that a UK General Election could be held on the same day - with potentially no more than six weeks’ notice given by the government.
That’s why we’re looking for a Head of Elections with experience of managing elections, ideally in London. You will be responsible for ensuring that mayoral and assembly candidates are supported through the nominations process that concludes in March 2028, that boroughs have the support they need on polling day; and that accurate, timely election results are delivered within the performance framework required by the Electoral Commission.
This post is fixed term and is available as a secondment or a job-share.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead the development, management, monitoring and delivery of the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections (and/or any by-election), managing budgets and leading staff allocated directly to the London Elects team or through matrix working
• Establish, develop and maintain good working relationships within and outside the Authority including with London borough elections teams, in order to ensure that the elections are delivered successfully.
• Provide efficient and effective management and delivery of the election in accordance with legislation and best practice. Act as the key go-to person for elections matters as they arise.
• Develop and maintain arrangements to achieve and demonstrate achievement of compliance with the Electoral Commission performance standards to ensure the effective delivery of the election
• Prepare and implement a project plan and detailed workstream programme to ensure compliance with the statutory delivery of the election, monitoring strategies and oversee delivery of work arising from this, ensuring that milestone targets are met and remedial actions implemented for any problems identified.
• Co-ordinate, prepare papers for and minute meetings of the GLA Elections Working Group and any sub-groups.
• Oversee successful and timely procurement of goods and/or services relating to the election.
• Maintain an awareness of legislative and policy changes relating to elections; and establish and maintain communications with Government departments, London boroughs, and other organisations, providing guidance and advice on election rules.
• Undertake any other duties as may be allocated from time to time by the Greater London Returning Officer and Deputy Greater London Returning Officer, including deputising as and when required.

THIS ROLE IS BASED AT THE LONDON FIRE BRIGADE’S HEAD OFFICE (UNION STREET SE1 0LL)

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR THE ROLE YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.