Senior Registrar

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £19.45 - £21.75

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Days of working are negotiable, flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.
To start 8th December 2025.

Applications will be accepted from those wishing to be considered for this role on a part-time basis. If you are applying for this role on a part time basis, please tell us in the Additional Information section of the application form.

Are you an experienced Registration professional with a passion for public service and leadership? We are seeking a dedicated Senior Registrar to lead and support the delivery of high-quality Registration services across East Lothian.

About the Role

As a Senior Registrar, you will be responsible for overseeing the statutory registration of births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships, and other related services in accordance with Scottish legislation. You will manage a team of Registrars, ensure compliance with legal and procedural standards, and provide a compassionate and professional service to the public during some of life’s most significant moments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the delivery of Registration services across the local authority
• Ensure compliance with Registration legislation
• Conduct and officiate at civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies
• Provide expert advice and guidance to registrars and the public
• Liaise with the National Records of Scotland (NRS) and other stakeholders
• Manage service performance, quality assurance, and continuous improvement
• Support digital transformation and service innovation

About You

• Substantial experience in Registration in Scotland
• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism
• Experience in staff supervision and service development
• IT literacy and familiarity with Registration systems (e.g. FER)

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and local government pension scheme
• Generous annual leave and flexible working options
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• The chance to make a meaningful impact in your community

Apply now to lead a vital public service that supports individuals and families at key life events.

Home / Hybrid Working Consideration
Applications for home or hybrid working will be considered for this post in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview.

Please Note:
All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction, and be on site in East Lothian workplaces, as required. Employees with a hybrid working arrangement in place will be office based and able to work from home, with permission, on an ad hoc basis.

Job Details

To supervise the daily operations of Registration Services to ensure high standards of services are delivered to the service users, ensuring the Council complies with the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965, the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 and other relevant legislation.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
Educated to HNC/SVQ3 or equivalent and/or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through relevant experience.

Certificate of Proficiency in the Law and Practice of Registration in Scotland.

Driving Licence
As the duties of this role require you to effectively travel to successfully undertake the full remit of the role, you must hold a current driving licence and have access to a vehicle.*
(*Where a disability precludes you from obtaining a driving licence, ELC will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability.)

Level 1 Disclosure Clearance
This role requires Level 1 Disclosure Clearance to allow access to the Public Sector Network. ELC will submit a Police Act Disclosure application on behalf of the preferred candidate and receipt of the subsequent certificate will be required prior to commencement.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link:
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.