Job Description

Job Title: General Secretary

Responsible to: The National Executive Committee of the Labour Party

Responsible for: All staff employed by the Labour Party

Location: Labour Party Head Office, London

Job Purpose:

The General Secretary will be passionate and have a demonstrable commitment to the Labour Party. S/he has responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the Labour Party and implementation of its aims and objectives at national, regional and local levels as laid down by the annual conference and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The General Secretary is responsible to the National Executive Committee for upholding the constitution of the party and protecting the rights of the NEC and the party throughout the country.

The General Secretary will have specific responsibilities for:

Leadership and Management

The implementation of the constitution of the Labour Party.
The preparation and delivery of effective election campaigns.
Protecting and enhancing the reputation of The Labour Party and setting the standards for the operation of the organisation.
The party's administration within head office, the Parliamentary Labour Party, Scotland and Wales and the regions.
The party's income and expenditure, overseeing a transparent system of prudent and effective controls to minimise risk, ensuring that they meet the desired objectives and the requirements of relevant legislation.
The appointment, direction, motivation and effective management of the Labour Party staff and volunteers to fulfil the party's objectives, policies and plans as determined by the membership at conference and the NEC.
Ensuring appropriate performance management systems are in place to increase the organisations capacity for policy development and analysis.
The organisation of the party's annual conference and the National Policy Forum.
The overall management of the National Executive Committee, its committees and sub-committees, including the National Constitutional Committee.
Encouraging, supporting and developing volunteers to stand as candidates and officers in the party, particularly from under represented groups.
Building up the membership of the party and to engage and mobilise members and supporters throughout the electoral cycle.
The development of the communications and ITC structure of the Labour Party.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management:

Setting up and administering - with the agreement of the Leader of the party and of the National Executive Committee - effective means of continuous consultation and co-ordination between the National Executive Committee and the Party Leadership.
The liaison with the Labour Government, Parliamentary Labour Party, the Labour groups in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, European Parliamentary Labour Party and Local Government.
The liaison with all affiliated organisations including sister parties.

In addition to the above the General Secretary will:

Be the accounting officer and registered treasurer for the Labour Party
Be expected to attend and speak at, or appoint a deputy to attend and speak at, meetings of subject groups and regional groups of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Be expected to report to National Conference.
Lead on the Labour Party's equal opportunities and diversity strategies.
Comply with all aspects of the Labour Party's Health and Safety Policy and associated employment law.

Special Circumstances:

The General Secretary shall not stand as a candidate for Parliament.