Chief Executive & Head of Campaigns & Elections (Scotland)

Job Title:  Chief Executive & Head of Campaigns & Elections (Scotland) 

Responsible to:     Convener of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and UK Deputy Director of Campaigns & Elections 

Salary: Competitive, subject to experience

Benefit: 3% Employer’s Pension Contribution 

Tenure:  Permanent

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week 

Location:  At least two days per week either in 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, or in the field across Scotland 

Closing date:  5pm Friday 31st January 2025

Purpose of Job

To provide strategic direction for the Scottish Party going into the 2026 Scottish Elections, and the delivery of the 150 Rising strategy for 2027, our goal to increase our council seats to 150. This role will work directly with the Scottish Party Office Bearers, Federal Campaign Team and Party Leadership in Scotland to deliver growth in the coming years. 

This includes management of the HQ staff teams ensuring the smooth running of the Scottish Party, its committees, internal elections, membership communications, finance and compliance and local party support. This role will liaise closely with England, Wales and the Federal Party.  

To manage a team of Regional Campaigns Managers with a clear objective of putting “more gold on the map” – be it Lib Dem MPs, MSPs or Lib Dem-led Councils.

This is a newly expanded role and will require a new structure to deliver our ambitious plans. The CEO role will be central to developing that staff structure and ensuring the team are developed and supported in their roles.  

Key Responsibilities 

1. Build and develop a team who can be part of the growth journey of the Scottish Party, prioritising their professional development and wellbeing
2. Work closely with Party Leadership to provide strategic direction to deliver growth at both the Scottish Elections and the local election in 2027. This includes how we evolve our membership to focus on recruiting and retaining new talent at all levels of the party
3. Line Manage the Senior Operations Manager who will oversee the day to day Party Management along with the core staff team, and a team of Campaigns Managers to ensure they are delivering the party’s agreed seat support programme effectively in their designated areas of responsibility
4. Work closely with colleagues in the Communications teams at Scottish and Federal level to develop our key election messages and campaign strategy
5. Where funding partnerships are in place, take responsibility for ensuring the needs of both the Scottish Party and funding partners are built into staff objectives, regularly reported on and delivered effectively
6. Ensure strong and effective communication and working relationships with funding partners and wider party stakeholders
7. As part of the Campaigns & Elections Management team, oversee strategic preparations for each round of elections within Scotland, local, Scottish and General Election preparations and readiness
8. Deliver targeted wins in strategically important elections – directly managing campaigns where needed
9. Develop and deliver a rolling fundraising plan for recruiting, engaging and retaining donors across Scotland 

Person Specification 

We are looking for a strategic thinker who is able to see the big picture and bring together a range of teams and individuals. You must be a strong campaigner and effective line-manager who can deliver campaign and election success for the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

The heart of this role is building and managing a cohesive and effective staff structure to deliver growth in Scotland and ensure the smooth and professional running and development of the Scottish Party. 

You’ll be confident, with strong leadership and communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with people at all levels of the party.  

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’ll be a person at ease with the latest online and offline campaign techniques.  

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 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  

• Experience of managing, developing, and building an effective team, including remote management
• Excellent stakeholder management skills
• 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 
• Strong political messaging and the ability to develop this skill 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.