Approvals & Selections Manager

Job Title:                Approvals & Selections Manager

Responsible to:        Head of Candidates’ Office

Salary:        £36,250-£43,629.13 depending on experience

Benefit:        3% Employer’s Pension Contribution

Tenure:         Permanent

Hours:        Full time 37.5 hours per week

Location:         Office/Home based, with occasional travel to meetings in London.

Closing date:        5pm 16th March 2026

Purpose of job

To manage and deliver the Liberal Democrats’ candidate approval and selection processes, ensuring selections run smoothly, on time and in line with agreed procedures, supported by well-trained volunteers, effective systems and clear internal communications.

Key Responsibilities

1. Ensure candidate approvals and selections run smoothly and effectively according to the agreed timetable.
2. Create and deliver a plan to recruit, train, develop and deploy volunteer Returning Officers, Electronic Ballot Administrators and Candidate Assessors.
3. Deliver a plan to improve data, databases, tech and systems needed to run selections with minimal operational friction.
4. Ensure training at Local Party level (eg. selection committees) is delivered smoothly and effectively.
5. Deliver an effective internal comms plan is liaison with other LDHQ teams.
6. Line management of Candidates’ Office Administrators.

Essential Skills and Experience

Operational Delivery & Process Management

• Proven experience of managing complex operational processes or programmes to agreed timetables.
   
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams simultaneously and meet fixed deadlines.
   
• Experience of working to defined rules, procedures or governance frameworks while maintaining a positive user experience.

Leadership & Management

• Strong people-management skills, including setting priorities, managing performance, and supporting professional development.
   

Volunteer & Stakeholder Management

• Experience of recruiting, training and supporting volunteers or non-line-managed stakeholders.
  
   
• Ability to build strong working relationships with volunteers, local parties, staff and committees.
  
   
• Confidence in providing clear guidance and handling queries or challenges calmly and professionally.
  
   

Training & Capability Building

• Experience of designing, coordinating or delivering training for volunteers or members, including remote or blended delivery.
  
   
• Ability to ensure training is delivered consistently and to a high standard across different local areas.
  
   
• Strong facilitation skills and the ability to explain complex processes clearly.
  
   

Data, Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Experience of working with databases, digital tools or operational systems to support service delivery.
  
   
• Ability to identify operational friction points and work with colleagues to improve systems and processes.
  
   
• Comfortable using data to track progress, monitor performance and inform improvements.
  
   

Communication & Coordination

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
  
   
• Experience of contributing to or delivering internal communications across a complex organisation.
  
   
• Ability to coordinate messaging with multiple teams to ensure consistency and clarity.
  
   

Political Awareness & Professionalism

• Understanding of the sensitivities involved in candidate approvals and selections.
  
   
• Commitment to the values of the Liberal Democrats.
  
   
• High levels of discretion, integrity and professionalism.
   

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Direct experience of running or supporting candidate approvals or selections within a political party.
  
   
• Familiarity with the Liberal Democrats’ candidate processes, rules and internal structures.
  
   
• Experience of managing electronic ballots or similar secure voting processes.
  
   
• Experience of working with CRM or membership systems in a political or membership organisation.
  
   
• Experience of supporting governance bodies, panels or assessment processes.
  
   
• Experience of operating at pace during election or pre-election periods.

Personal Attributes

• Methodical and detail-oriented, with strong quality-control instincts.
  
   
• Approachable and service-focused, particularly when supporting volunteers and local parties.
  
   
• Resilient and adaptable, able to manage pressure during busy selection periods.
  
   
• Proactive and improvement-minded, with a practical, problem-solving approach.

How to apply

Please fully read through the requirements of the job before applying and take a few minutes to complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Forms then proceed with your application. 

• A full CV of no more than two pages and including a telephone number and email address;
• A covering letter (no more than one A4 page) setting out why you want the job and how your experience and skills are relevant to it;
• To be considered for this position, please submit your application to recruitment@libdems.org.uk

We will be reviewing applications as they come in and reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.

Please note: 

We will not be able to employ you if you are not eligible to work in the UK. We will not be able to obtain a work permit on your behalf.

Applicants are encouraged to inform us if any reasonable adjustments are needed to be made during any part of the recruitment process.

Please let us have details of your current salary and two referees including one from your current employer – if you would prefer us not to contact them until a later stage of the selection process, please let us know.

We may not notify applicants if their application has been unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage.

The Party believes it is essential to foster equity, equality, diversion and inclusion within our workforce. We want our employees to thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome and supported to achieve their potential. It is important to celebrate what makes us unique and that you feel valued, appreciated and free to be who you are.