Head of Commons Whips Office

Job Description

Job Title: Head of Liberal Democrat Whips’ Office, House of Commons

Responsible to: Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, House of Commons

Salary: Lib Dem Band 6 - £46,500 - £51,000 per annum, with a 3% Employer’s Pension Contribution among other benefits

Tenure: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week

Location: When Parliament is sitting, House of Commons based. During Parliamentary recesses, which closely follow school-term times, potential for flexible working.

Closing Date: 6th May 2024

Interview Date: 16th & 17th May 2024

Purpose of Job

Lead an exciting team at the heart of the Liberal Democrats as it prepares for the next General Election, working closely with MPs, Peers, LDHQ, local parties and Lib Dem Members.

The Head of the Whips’ Office supports the Chief Whip in their day-to-day activities, which alongside the Leader’s Office, includes responsibility for the political management of the parliamentary party.

The role seeks to ensure that the parliamentary party and wider Party work together to deliver Lib Dem objectives.

We are seeking an experienced and able communicator to lead and manage the Liberal Democrat Commons Whips’ Office. They would ideally have exceptional interpersonal skills and a working knowledge of the House of Commons.

The position will demand a high level of organisational skill, a capacity for negotiation and discretion, and an ability to get the best out of people. This will be derived from experience in communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and working in a political environment under pressure.

The Head of the Whips’ Office line manages the work of the Commons Parliamentary Advisers (CPA). The CPA is an IPSA sponsored pooled staffing resource, which provides briefings to Parliamentarians in the Commons and Lords on topical issues and legislation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and manage the work of the Whips’ Office on a day-to-day basis.
• Manage the Deputy Head and the Commons Parliamentary Advisers (CPA).
• Identify opportunities to achieve Liberal Democrat objectives through Parliament.
• Liaise with other party whips offices, government offices and parliamentary authorities as required to ensure that the Liberal Democrats are properly represented in the House.
• Advise the Chief Whip, Liberal Democrat MPs, and their staff on parliamentary procedure and on strategies and tactics to promote the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.
• Provide pastoral support and advice to Liberal Democrat MPs and their staff.
• Manage Liberal Democrats relationships with IPSA and House of Commons authorities on issues regulated to activities and funding.
• Take the responsibility for the operation of the POLD board.
• Support the Chief Whip in their duties as required.

Key Skills Required

• Front-line organisational experience with a capacity for project management, crisis management and the prioritisation/reprioritisation of competing tasks.
• Capacity to respond under pressure to the challenge of sustaining and managing critical procedures and routines, even in the event of high levels of internal and external criticism.
• Outstanding written and oral communications skills.
• Willingness to work flexibly and be responsive to the extensive demands of the Office.
• Understanding, experience, and stamina to manage professionally, motivate and get the best out of a small professional team and a parliamentary party.
• Ability to collaborate and be responsiveness to widely varying pastoral concerns.
• Strong commitment to, and understanding of, the aims and values of the Liberal Democrats.
• Robust understanding and knowledge of Parliament and the parliamentary party. Ideally a minimum of 18 months experience working in parliamentary and/or political role.

Personal Specification:

This is a key role at the heart of the Liberal Democrats’ Parliamentary operation. The successful candidate must be comfortable acting as a senior member of the professional staff, providing leadership to support and promote the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent judgement, communication,management, and administration skills. A robust working knowledge of Parliament is required, alongside the ability to work under intense pressure and the confidence to deal effectively with senior Parliamentarians. The ability to retain a sense of humour and deal sensitively and confidentially with a range of individuals and operations is essential. A highly professional manner is also essential.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate an excellent understanding of the current political environment.

The candidate is expected to work regular evening hours to reflect the sitting hours of the House of Commons.

Application procedure:

Please fully read through the requirements of the job  before applying and take a few minutes to complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring form here: https://digitallibdems.typeform.com/to/BKUAcGFC 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 . Please write your name on top of your covering letter

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 will not notify applicants if their application has been unsuccessful at 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.