Job title: Deputy Group Support Manager

Salary: PO1 £38,220 - £40,777

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Civic Hall, Leeds

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

As a Deputy Group Support Manager in the Leader of the Largest Opposition Group’s Office, you will be part of a busy team providing administrative and research support to Elected Members, supporting them in their role as democratic representatives of Leeds’s communities.

About you

As a Deputy Group Support Manager, you will have/be able to demonstrate:

Strong communication skills - able to communicate complex information effectively to a variety of people, including Council officers, Elected Members, and external representatives.
Able to meet competing deadlines to deliver a variety of complex projects.
Able to deal responsibly and sensitively with confidential information.
Able to work effectively as a member of a team, establish productive working relationships and motivate staff.
An understanding of the current issues facing local government and their implications for Leeds.

About the role

As our next Deputy Group Support Manager you’ll join a busy team providing support to a group of Elected Members, including the Group Leader.

You’ll help them with casework, organise and prepare them for meetings, including the Full Council meeting, liaise with external groups and representatives, draft correspondence, briefings and press releases, research and analyse local and national policies affecting local government, and contribute to service-wide projects within Democratic Services.

The role is integral to one of our group offices supporting Councillors in their role as democratically elected representatives.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Adam Phillips, Group Support Manager. Call 0113 37 88793 or email adam.phillips@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To assist in managing a comprehensive support service to a group of Elected Members, including the Group Leader, in respect of policy development, information management and administrative support.

Responsibilities

To act as deputy for the Group Support Manager and assist in the management of the Group Office, supervision of staff, staff recruitment training and development and budget control.
To co-ordinate, oversee or participate in projects which will usually involve working as a team with staff from other Group Offices or areas of Democratic Services.
Oversee, in conjunction with other members of the team, a co-ordinated approach to information management and Elected Member support, including casework, diary management, meeting preparation, and research, whilst meeting tight deadlines and maintaining a high level of accuracy.
To supervise and provide research and administrative support to Elected Members and Officers and maintain an overview of major political and policy announcements, briefing members of the group accordingly.
To maintain a knowledge of current research policy, debates and legislation, and monitor publications affecting local government and take a proactive approach to support the Group’s policy development.
Develop and maintain contacts with external organisations and explore new ways of sharing information for the benefit of the Council and the Political Group.
To co-ordinate the communications on behalf of the Group to members of the public including the production of direct mailings or via the media, to constituents, community groups, and their representatives in accordance with office protocols.
Assist Councillors with the production of news releases which will involve monitoring the work of the Council Committees.
To develop and maintain research and database facilities.
To comply with all relevant protocols including those concerning member/officer relations, officer code of conduct, roles of members and officers in decision making, also guidance issued on the permitted roles and responsibilities within the Group Office and ensure that staff are also adhering to these.
Any other duties of a similar nature commensurate with the post.
To abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities policies and practices in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
To take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.

Qualifications A pass at Grade A, B or C in GCSE English or equivalent is essential. Degree or equivalent qualification is desirable.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Able to work effectively as a member of a team, establish productive working relationships and motivate staff.
Able to summarise information in a clear, concise and accurate manner, highlighting key issues.
Able to work within a highly automated office, meeting the criteria outlined in the Democratic Services Essential IT Competencies with minimal training and familiarisation.
Deal responsibly and sensitively with confidential information.
Able to meet competing deadlines to deliver a variety of complex projects.
Able to communicate complex information effectively to a variety of people, including council officers, Members and external representatives.
Ability to research, prepare and present papers on diverse topics
Ability to coordinate all aspects of a group’s business in respect of a Full Council meeting
Able to contribute to the development of detailed policies based on the objectives of the political Group.
Ability to produce press releases and other media related materials such as press briefings.
Knowledge of office IT systems.
Excellent literacy skills (minimum English GCSE Grade A, B or C or equivalent)
Understanding of current issues facing local government and their implications for Leeds, to a level which is sufficient to provide support and guidance to policy makers.
Knowledge of office systems and procedures to enable the effective supervision and development of staff.
Experience of undertaking research and producing accurate briefing notes.
Experience of using Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentational, Email and Calendar systems; and the Internet.
Experience of working to and meeting strict deadlines.
Experience of liaising and communicating effectively with a wide variety of people to convey information.
Experience of workload management
Experience of working with Elected Members and senior Council officers in an advisory role.

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Degree level qualification or equivalent.
Experience of staff supervision