Head of Electoral Performance and Directorate Operations

Electoral Commission UK; London; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK regulatory body is seeking a Head of Electoral Performance and Directorate Operations to oversee performance standards and drive operational improvements. The role requires strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, along with experience in electoral administration. This position offers a competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension Scheme

28+ days holiday

Study support for professional qualifications

Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience of leading operational and organisational change in a complex or regulatory context.
• Deep understanding of local government and electoral administration in Great Britain.
• Substantial experience in senior stakeholder management with local authority Chief Executives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee performance standards for Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers.
• Lead interventions to secure performance improvements.
• Drive internal operational improvements across the directorate.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational acumen

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Job description

Head of Electoral Performance and Directorate Operations

Join to apply for the Head of Electoral Performance and Directorate Operations role at The Electoral Commission

Role: Head of Electoral Performance and Directorate Operations
Type: Permanent | Full time | 36 hours per week

Location: London, Cardiff, Belfast or Edinburgh (Hybrid – min. 2 days in office) or Remote (UK). London weighting (£3,217) and a £312 tax-free working from home allowance apply where eligible.

Salary: £71,618 – £75,693 per annum

Benefits: Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working, 28+ days holiday, study support for professional qualifications, ongoing learning and development opportunities, Ride2Work, eye care vouchers, and more.

About the Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission is the UK’s independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance. We work to ensure trust, participation, and integrity in the democratic process. We are expanding our workforce as part of our five-year Corporate Plan, and 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

• Oversee performance standards for Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers, using data and evidence to evaluate and improve the health of the electoral system.
• Lead interventions to secure performance improvements with senior local authority leaders, often at Chief Executive level.
• Drive internal operational improvements across the directorate, including governance, planning, recruitment, and information management.
• Line manage 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.

The Team

The EAR directorate is the Commission’s frontline delivery function, responsible for electoral support, performance standards, and regulatory guidance. This role sits alongside the Head of English Regions and operates in a collaborative matrix 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 shape a newly created function and make a lasting impact on how elections are delivered.

Who We’re Looking For

This role suits 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 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 days 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 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.

Notes: This posting includes general information and responsibilities; the content is based on the original job description and context and has been reformatted for clarity and accessibility.

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