Crossword Genius

After springtime exam, finally get key civic office (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mayoralty

'civic office' is the definition.
(a mayor is a civic leader)

'after springtime exam finally get key' is the wordplay.
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'springtime' becomes 'may'.
'exam' becomes 'oral' (spoken academic test).
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The final letters of 'get key' are 'ty'.
'may' put next to 'oral' is 'mayoral'.
'mayoral'+'ty'='MAYORALTY'

(Other definitions for mayoralty that I've seen before include "civic office" , "Top town hall office" , "Henchard's office" , "political office" , "public office" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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