Councillor Welfare Manager

Councillor Welfare Manager

Reports to: Ben Bradley (Head of Local Government)

Working with: Governance Managers and Local Government Assistants. 

Role type: Full time with national travel

We are looking for a full time Councillor Welfare Manager to support the welfare of Reform UK Councillors and groups, building relationships, managing conflict and enabling the smooth delivery of our Local Government objectives, by working with local Council Groups to support their activities and wellbeing, and by de-escalating issues before they become matters requiring formal or disciplinary action. 

The role can be based from home, however national travel will be required. 

Key responsibilities:

1.1. Supporting Councillors' wellbeing and welfare

• Building relationships with Councillors and Groups where consistent issues arise, with responsibility for pastoral aspects of our work in the Local Government team.
• Being a point of escalation from the Local Government Team where matters require a more involved or senior intervention.
• Managing the most challenging relationships within complex council groups to mediate and mitigate external impacts.

1.2. Coordinating between Councils and the Governance Team

• Acting to de-escalate conflicts when they arise, and prevent escalation to formal disciplinary processes where reasonably possible
• Working closely with Governance Managers to establish the appropriate approach and interventions required to tackle these issues. 
• Acting as a filter for cases to ensure that the application of rules and thresholds for further action are fair and consistent.

1.3. Being an advisor to the Local Government team on handling issues

• Supporting and advising Local Government Assistants on matters in the Councils that they are responsible for. 
• Being a source of experienced counsel on low level pastoral issues in Council Groups
• Advising the Head of Local Government on improvements to rules and processes, working with the Governance team. 

1.4. Reducing the external and reputational impact of Council issues

• Acting to reduce the risk of Councillor resignations or defections, where they are identified
• Advising on approaches and activities to improve support and engagement from Councillors
• Meeting regularly with Council Groups and Leaders to assess circumstances and proactively address pastoral issues.