Principal Ruling Group Support Officer Council

Salary: £51,356 – £56,673 per annum
Contract:Permanent, Full time
Hours:35 hours per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Democratic Services Team as the Principal Officer responsible for overseeing the support to the Council’s ruling political group. This role plays a key role in proactively managing a comprehensive, high level, and confidential member support service for the Leader, Cabinet, and Members of the ruling political group within the City Council.

As Principal Ruling Group Support Officer, you will be responsible for providing a wide range of administrative functions to ensure efficient and effective operational support services are provided to all Members of the ruling political group, including day-to-day line management of staff, prioritisation of work programmes, and the provision of administrative support. You will be aware of local and national issues developments affecting the Council and will be able to proactively research and brief on contentious, complex, and nuanced issues.

We are looking for an individual with the political acumen and capability to manage the competing demands of this role related to attending committees, working parties, panels, and functions, responding to complex issues and situations arising on behalf of the Leader, Cabinet, and ruling political group, and developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with local and regional politicians, including MPs and senior officials from regional and central government departments.

As Principal Ruling Group Support Officer, the successful candidate should have significant and demonstrable experience of working in a high-profile political environment. In addition, the post holder should also excel at horizon scanning, ensuring the Leader, Cabinet, and ruling political group are briefed and kept informed of key issues and developments at a local and national level affecting the City Council.

This is a politically restricted post as set out in the main provisions of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act (Section
2). The law aims to ensure the political impartiality of local government staff who hold posts involving duties of a politically sensitive nature.

Closing date: midnight on Sunday 18 January 2026
Shortlisting date: W/C Monday 19 January 2026
Interview date: W/C Monday 26 January 2026
Interview type: face-to-face

For full details and to apply, please click on the ‘Apply for Job’ button below.