About the role
We are now looking for a Principal Policy Adviser to work at a national level, leading our Place work, driving meaningful change for the sector, and those we serve. The successful candidate will be a member of our Corporate Leadership Team and work with the City Regions, People and Places and Culture, Tourism and Sports Boards.
You will provide management support for our work with Combined Authorities and drawing on expertise from across the LGA and wider local government you will ensure that the team is providing input into the LGA’s preparations for the next/returning government. This is a challenging time for our sector, but it is also a time of opportunity. Local, national and global events are impacting on our communities like never before and a general election is on the horizon.
In this senior role you will become the principal point of contact for your policy area, working both internally and externally with a wide range of stakeholders including Ministers, senior civil servants, local authorities, partners, and the public. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will turn ideas into tangible proposals that garner the support and capture the imaginations of those around you.
About you
We are looking for a strategic thinker, you will have the experience and credibility to lead the conversation with government and with national organisations from across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. We need someone who can work with experts inside and outside the organisation, develop and rapidly adapt evidence-based policy positions and advocate councils’ views to show that local government can make a difference.
You’ll be ensuring that our policy teams are providing our leading politicians with excellent advice and support. Local government is key to delivering solutions to the biggest issues for the public and we believe public services can be delivered faster, better and more efficiently at a local level. Along with the team you will work to help councils to access the powers, funding and partnership working they need to lead and shape place. You will ensure our work on culture, tourism and sport gives national profile to the innovation that councils are leading in this sector.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the leadership skills needed to work in a complex and fast-paced environment. You will be an experienced and effective leader and manager of people. You will have experience of heading up a high-performing team with a wide range of skills and will be responsible for their professional development and the delivery of a diverse work programme.
You will be able to demonstrate career success in a complex political environment as well as an understanding of the key government policy areas that mean the most to our sector. Your political awareness and ability to build strong consensus will lead to your success, as will your sensitivity and credibility in building long lasting relationships.
You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
To apply
If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria of the role before the closing date.
We are specifically assessing candidate's against the following accountabilities:
- Act as the lead officer for a number of member-led fora (including Boards and Task and Finish Groups) and clear all reports
- With the Head of Policy, ensure that LGA members are supported to provide an advocacy and leadership role for councils through proactive and coherent policy development
- Lead a multi-disciplinary team and oversee a range of policy programmes including, for example, commissions from the LGA Executive Board across more than one Board or policy area
- Maintain a culture of continuous improvement across the division, underpinned by effective performance management and monitoring. Prioritising the use of staff and financial resources, in consultation with Boards and Heads of Policy
- Lead and maintain relationships on behalf of the LGA to advocate and promote the needs of the sector and maintain a positive reputation for the LGA with local authorities, central government, EU, partners and stakeholders
- Hold a departmental or corporate responsibility – for example, reporting on business planning, departmental-wide budget management and leading a change agenda for the corporate centre
Closing Date: 5pm, 20 February 2024
Interview Date: 04 March 2024 & 08 March 2024 , interviews may be held virtually
At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”. If you are require an reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have. Please contact us via HRandPayroll@local.gov.uk