Head of Office - CCA

The Conservative Councillors’ Association (CCA) supports and represents Conservative councillors, providing advice, training and opportunities to share experience, develop their skills and influence the issues affecting local government.

With preparations for the 2027 elections and local government reorganisation bringing significant change, the CCA has an important role in helping councillors navigate what comes next and ensuring their experience informs the Party’s work.

We are looking for a Head of Office who can give the organisation clear direction, lead its staff team and build the relationships, membership and income needed to support its future.

The opportunity

This is a broad leadership role with the opportunity to shape the CCA’s work and development. Working closely with the Chairman and Board, you will turn the organisation’s strategy into a clear programme of activity and be accountable for its delivery.

You will lead and develop a small team, take responsibility for the budget and strengthen the organisation’s financial position. A central part of the role will be growing income, developing partnerships and making sure membership offers clear value to Conservative councillors.

You will also be a senior representative of the CCA, building relationships with the Shadow Ministerial Team, Parliament, the Conservative Party and local government. You will need to understand what matters to members, know where the CCA can make a difference and have the judgement to handle sensitive political and organisational issues.

Success will be measured against objectives and key performance indicators agreed with the Board, covering delivery of the strategy, financial performance, income generation, membership recruitment and retention, and the value members receive.

Your Main Responsibilities

Leadership, strategy and team development

Income, partnerships and membership growth

Political relationships and member representation

Financial and operational management

Events, training and communications

Board support and governance

• Be accountable to the Chairman and CCA Board for delivery of the organisation’s strategy and agreed key performance      indicators.
• Work with the Chairman and Board to set  priorities, develop realistic plans and make decisions about resources and      competing demands.
• Lead and directly line-manage the staff team, setting clear objectives, managing performance and workloads, supporting      development and overseeing recruitment.
• Build a supportive team culture in which      people understand their responsibilities, work well together and take      ownership of delivery.
• Give the Board a clear view of progress, risks and decisions needed, providing advice and recommendations where      priorities or circumstances change.
• Review the CCA’s activities and ways of  working to improve member value, delivery and financial sustainability.
• Agree an annual income target with the Board and take responsibility for delivering it.
• Grow and diversify sponsorship and partnership income, developing opportunities beyond the events programme.
• Build and maintain relationships with sponsors and partners, negotiate agreements and ensure the CCA delivers its      commitments.
• Lead membership recruitment and retention,  using member feedback and engagement to understand what councillors need      and strengthen the membership offer.
• Oversee membership activity across the team, ensuring that recruitment, renewals, communications, advice and events      support a consistent member experience.
• Identify new opportunities to generate income  and extend the CCA’s reach while maintaining its purpose and the  confidence of members.
• Develop and use senior political relationships to advance the CCA’s priorities and represent the interests of its      members.
• Oversee engagement with the Shadow Ministerial Team, MPs, senior Party figures, council leaders, the Local Government  Association and other relevant organisations.
• Draw on members’ experience and political andpolicy developments to advise the Chairman and Board on emerging issues, risks and opportunities.
• Develop the CCA’s positions and overseebriefings, consultation responses, submissions and senior correspondence.
• Provide advice and support to councillors and council group leaders, including on sensitive matters and issues arising following local elections.
• Represent the CCA in joint work with the Conservative Party and partner organisations, ensuring that agreed      activity produces useful outcomes for members.
• Own the CCA’s budget and financial planning, monitoring income and expenditure and reporting performance to the Board.
• Advise the Chairman and Board on the organisation’s financial position, longer-term sustainability and      significant financial decisions.
• Oversee accounts and financial administration,  including salaries and pension arrangements.
• Manage contracts and supplier relationships, ensuring value for money and that commitments remain within agreed budgets      and authority.
• Maintain effective oversight of day-to-day operations, ensuring the team has the systems and processes needed to deliver its work.
• Take overall responsibility for the CCA’s conferences, training and wider events programme, ensuring they meet      member needs and contribute to the organisation’s financial objectives.
• Oversee major event budgets, contracts,venues, suppliers and sponsorship arrangements.
• Manage the team’s delivery of smaller events and training, with clear responsibilities and effective coordination.
• Use attendance, member feedback and financial results to improve the programme.
• Hold final editorial approval for the CCA’s communications, guides and publications, ensuring they are accurate, clear and consistent with agreed positions.
• Ensure communications support membership engagement, political priorities, events and income generation.
• Act as Secretary to the Board and support its subcommittees, ensuring effective preparation, clear records of decisions  and follow-through on agreed actions.
• Provide advice and guidance on Conservative Group Rules, including adoption, updates, supporting guidance and appeals.
• Oversee the CCA’s internal electoral processes, acting as Returning Officer for ballots and ensuring      nominations, results and online ballot contracts are managed properly.
• Support the Chairman and Board in maintaining and applying the CCA’s constitution and governance arrangements.

You will be comfortable taking responsibility for a small organisation with a broad remit. You should be able to give the team direction, build productive relationships and turn plans into results, while remaining willing to get involved in the practical work when needed.

We are looking for evidence of:

• Leading and developing a small team: setting direction, managing performance, supporting colleagues and      building a positive working culture.
• Commitment to the values and success of the Conservative Party: with an understanding of the      contribution Conservative councillors make.
• Owning a budget and delivering a strategy agreed by a board: making sound decisions about resources,      monitoring progress and being accountable for results.
• Generating income or securing partnerships: identifying opportunities, building a convincing proposition and turning  discussions into income or practical support.
• Building and using senior political relationships to achieve results: showing what those  relationships enabled you or your organisation to accomplish.
• Sound judgement on sensitive political and  organisational matters: knowing when to act, when to seek advice and how to maintain trust and confidentiality.
• Understanding and responding to member or  stakeholder needs: using feedback and experience to improve      engagement, services or participation.
• Clear communication and effective delivery: making a persuasive case, managing competing priorities and following work  through to completion.