Interim Head of Compliance and Transparency

Job summary

Join us at the heart of UK democracy. We are seeking an experienced senior leader to take on the role of Interim Head of Compliance and Transparency at the Electoral Commission. This pivotal position offers the chance to lead a dedicated team, oversee compliance and financial transparency, and shape future regulatory frameworks during a period of significant change. If you have proven expertise in regulation, governance and strategic leadership, this is an opportunity to make a real impact on public trust and integrity in political finance.

Job description

About the Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission is the UK’s independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance. Everything we do is about ensuring trust, participation, and integrity in the democratic process.

As we enter a bold new chapter under our five-year Corporate Plan, we are increasing our workforce and transforming how we plan and deliver core services. This post plays a central role in that journey.

About the role

This is a key leadership position providing strategic oversight of the Commission’s compliance and transparency functions during a period of legislative and structural transition.

The Interim Head of Compliance and Transparency will:

• Provide senior leadership and direction to the Compliance and Transparency Team (around 15 staff, including two managers).
• Oversee compliance monitoring and financial transparency reporting cycles.
• Act as business owner for the Political Finance Online (PFO) system, ensuring continuity between project delivery and operational ownership.
• Support the Director of Electoral Administration and Reform in strategic and operational decisions relating to political finance regulation.
• Maintain regulatory assurance and operational effectiveness while longer-term structural changes are determined.

This is a high-profile role that requires calm, confident leadership and sound regulatory judgement. It offers an opportunity to make a significant contribution to maintaining transparency and confidence in political finance at a pivotal time.

About the team

The Compliance and Transparency Team ensures regulated entities meet their financial and reporting obligations under political finance law.

The team’s ethos is professional, collaborative and highly committed to upholding public confidence in democracy. Working closely with colleagues in Party Registration, Political Finance Online (PFO), Legal, and Research, the team supports the delivery of major legislative and digital transformation projects.

Joining this team provides the opportunity to lead a capable and dedicated group through a period of meaningful change and to shape future regulatory practice.

Person specification

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking an experienced senior leader with regulatory expertise gained in a regulatory body or framework who can bring stability, clarity and assurance.

You will:

• Experience managing a multi-functional team
• Have proven senior management experience within a regulatory, compliance, or financial governance environment.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of financial reporting processes, controls, and legislative frameworks.
• Be confident making evidence-based, proportionate and risk-led decisions.
• Bring sound judgement, political awareness, and the ability to manage relationships with senior external stakeholders.
• Be an empowering and pragmatic leader capable of motivating teams under pressure and delivering results through change.
• Experience working with regulators or public-sector commissions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £71,618, The Electoral Commission contributes £20,747 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Why work for us?

The Electoral Commission offers a highly flexible, inclusive and supportive workplace where your expertise can make a tangible difference to UK democracy.

You will gain:

• Strategic exposure at the intersection of regulation, governance and political finance.
• The opportunity to shape and influence future compliance and reporting frameworks.
• Experience leading within an independent, high-profile public body committed to transparency and fairness.

We offer a strong total reward package, including:

• Flexible working and hybrid model (40% office minimum)
• 28 rising to 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Civil Service pension scheme (28.97% employer contribution)
• Study support for professional qualifications
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Ride2Work, eye care vouchers and more

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

How to apply

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. To help reduce unconscious bias and ensure all applicants are assessed solely on their skills, knowledge and experience, we use an anonymous recruitment process.

When applying, please provide an anonymised CV which omits your protected characteristics and any personally identifiable information:

Do not include:

• Your name, address, phone number, email or other contact details
• Your date of birth or age
• Gender, ethnicity, nationality or other personal identifiers
• A photo of yourself
• Remove educational dates as these are a clear indication of your age
• There is no requirement to include your primary education details.

Do include:

• Your employment history including employers and dates of employment
• Explanation for gaps in your history
• Your duties, responsibilities and achievements

If your CV contains personal details (such as your name or contact information), we will be unable to consider your application. Please double-check your documents before submitting, including the file name you use to save and upload your CV.

Supporting disabled applicants

The Electoral Commission is proud to be a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. As part of our commitment, we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants. If you have a disability and meet the minimum essential criteria listed in the job description, you will be offered an interview.

To be considered under this scheme, please indicate this when you apply. We also welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace.

Key dates

• Application deadline: 4th January 2026
• Interviews (1st stage): Late January 2026
• Interviews (2nd stage): February 2026
• Anticipated start date: TBC

Applicants applying for a London-based role should expect to attend interviews in person. For applicants in devolved nations, interviews may be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Talent Acquisition Team
• Email : recruitment@electoralcommission.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@electoralcommission.org.uk

Further information

Raising a Concern About the Recruitment Process

At the Electoral Commission, we are committed to delivering fair, inclusive, and transparent recruitment. Our recruitment practices are guided by Civil Service values and comply with the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.

If you have concerns about the way a recruitment process has been conducted, we encourage you to raise them with us.

How to Make a Complaint

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our recruitment process, you can contact us directly by email:

recruitment@electoralcommission.org.uk

Please include the following information:

The job title or reference number

A clear explanation of your concern

Any relevant supporting information

Your preferred contact details

We aim to respond to all complaints within two working days.

Our Commitment

All complaints are treated seriously and in confidence. They are handled in line with our Recruitment Policy and the relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010, Employment Rights Act 1996, and the Data Protection Act 2018.

If you require this information in an alternative format, or need additional support, please contact us at recruitment@electoralcommission.org.uk.

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/