Head of Electoral Performance and Directorate Operations
Permanent | Full time | 36 hours per week
Salary: £71,618 – £75,693 per annum
(London-based employees receive an additional £3,217 London weighting. A £312 tax-free working from home allowance is also payable annually.)
Location: London, Cardiff, Belfast or Edinburgh (Hybrid – min. 2 days in office) or Remote (UK)
Benefits: Outstanding benefits including Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working, 28+ days holiday, and more.
About the Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission is the UK’s independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance. Everything we do is about ensuring trust, participation, and integrity in the democratic process.
As we enter a bold new chapter under our five-year Corporate Plan, we are increasing our workforce and transforming how we plan and deliver core services. This post plays a central role in that journey.
About the Role
This is a newly created strategic leadership role within the Electoral Administration and Regulation (EAR) directorate. The postholder will lead the Commission’s Improvement and Operations function, combining external regulatory leadership with internal operational coordination.
Key responsibilities include:
• Overseeing performance standards for Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers, using data and evidence to evaluate and improve the health of the electoral system.
• Leading interventions to secure performance improvements with senior local authority leaders, often at Chief Executive level.
• Driving internal operational improvements across the directorate, including governance, planning, recruitment, and information management.
• Line managing the Improvement and Operations team, with budget responsibility and accountability for building capability.
This is an influential role with visibility across the organisation and beyond, including regular engagement with central government and local authority Chief Executives.
About the Team
The EAR directorate is the Commission’s frontline delivery function, with responsibility for electoral support, performance standards, and regulatory guidance.
This role sits alongside the Head of English Regions and works within a collaborative matrix structure across the UK.
The team is supportive, experienced, and high-performing, with a strong ethos of continuous improvement and proactive working.
Joining this team offers the opportunity to help shape a newly created function and make a lasting impact on how elections are delivered.
Who We’re Looking For
This role will suit a strategic, improvement-focused leader with strong operational acumen and a proven track record of delivering change in complex environments.
You will bring:
• Experience of leading operational and organisational change in a complex or regulatory context.
• A deep understanding of local government and electoral administration in Great Britain.
• Substantial experience in senior stakeholder management, including work with local authority Chief Executives and central government.
• Strong leadership experience, including people management, team development, and budget responsibility.
• The ability to think strategically, analyse complex challenges, and implement practical improvements.
You will be proactive, resilient, and credible at senior levels, with the interpersonal skills to influence and negotiate where improvement is required.
Why Work for Us?
This is an excellent opportunity to shape a newly created leadership role and influence both the Commission’s internal operations and the delivery of electoral services across Great Britain.
You will gain exposure to senior stakeholders across the public sector and Whitehall, and play a visible part in shaping electoral delivery in the UK.
We offer a strong total reward package, including:
• Flexible working and hybrid model (40% office minimum)
• 28 rising to 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Civil Service pension scheme (28.97% employer contribution)
• Study support for professional qualifications
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Ride2Work, eye care vouchers and more
How to Apply
We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. To reduce unconscious bias and ensure all applicants are assessed solely on their skills, knowledge and experience, we use an anonymous recruitment process.
Please submit:
• An anonymised CV
• An anonymised supporting statement
Application deadline: 14th September 2025 (23:59)
Interviews (1st stage): Week commencing 29th September 2025
Anticipated Start Date: 5th January 2026
Applicants applying for a London-based role should expect to attend interviews in person. For applicants in devolved nations, interviews may be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams.
