Head of Campaigns & Elections (UK)
Head of Campaigns & Elections (UK)
JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPEC
Responsible to: Deputy Director of Field Campaigns
Salary: Competitive, subject to experience
Benefit: 3% Employer’s Pension Contribution
Tenure: Permanent
Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week
Location: Home based, a location commutable around the assigned regions.
Closing date: Midday, Friday 30th May
Interview date: Wednesday 4th June
Purpose of job
To manage a team of Regional Campaigns Managers with a clear objective of putting “more gold on the map” – be it Lib Dem MPs, Lib Dem-led Councils, Lib Dem Mayors or Lib Dem PCCs.
Key Responsibilities
- Line manage, lead and develop a team of Campaigns Managers to ensure they are delivering the party’s agreed seat support programme effectively in their designated areas of responsibility;
- Where funding partnerships are in place, take responsibility for ensuring the needs of both Federal Party and funding partners are built into staff objectives, regularly reported on and delivered effectively,
- Ensure strong and effective communication and working relationships with funding partners and wider party stakeholders;
- As part of the Campaigns & Elections Management team, oversee strategic preparations for each annual round of elections and General Election preparations and readiness;
- Deliver targeted wins in strategically important elections – directly managing campaigns where needed;
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are looking for a strong campaigner and effective line-manager who can deliver campaign and election success for the Liberal Democrats.
The heart of this role is managing a team of Regional Campaigns Managers, who in turn work closely with local staff and volunteers to build capacity and win elections.
You’ll be a confident person, with strong leadership and communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships. You’ll be a person at ease with the latest online and offline campaign techniques.
Ideally you will have been part of multiple successful General Election and Parliamentary by-election campaigns with a strong understanding of what it takes to win.
You will be able to demonstrate a record of election, fundraising and capacity-building success, with an instinctive sense of what makes an effective political message. You will have sound political judgement, an in-depth understanding of voters, and will know what it takes for candidates to cross the winning line.
You will have a strong hunger for a win, and be willing to go above and beyond the expected, inspiring others to do the same. You will be able to evidence an effective record of staff management, including remote management.
You will have a sound understanding of election law and have practical experience managing large election campaigns at constituency and regional level.
You will be well organised and self-starting, able to work without supervision in a challenging environment. A good temperament that allows you to deal with the unexpected is a must. You will need strong leadership and communications skills, and must also show a willingness to innovate, experiment, and share best practice.
This role will suit someone who is driven to win, is persuasive with stakeholders and an effective line-manager.
Essential Skills and Experience
- A proven record of delivering electoral success, either managing large-scale elections in the UK, e.g. simultaneously overseeing multiple constituencies in a UK General Election, or experience agenting / campaign managing a UK Parliamentary by election, a European or Welsh Assembly Election
- A proven record of delivering throughout the full cycle of objective-setting, campaign planning, capacity building and implementation
- Experience of management, including remote management
- Strong political messaging and the ability to develop these in others
- Excellent organisational and planning skills
- The ability to inspire and develop the skills of volunteers and staff
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- A clear understanding of how to engage with members and voters
- Experience working with volunteers
- A full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle
- Sympathy with the aims and values of the Liberal Democrats
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Experience of fundraising and donor engagement
- Experience of using Connect, Targeted Email, Fleet and Affinity Publisher
- Experience of delivering training, coaching and mentoring
- Confidence with data, CRM and digital campaign tools
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.