Principal Ruling Group Support Officer

Job introduction

Job title: Principal Ruling Group Support Officer

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

The role:

• 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

Our offer to you:

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme
• Medicash

Next steps:

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

We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please complete an application as early as possible.

Please note: this vacancy is classified as a politically restricted position.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Karen.Mcilwaine@liverpool.gov.uk.

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications. Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.