About us
The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government.
We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems.
We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector.
About the role
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the busy national press office at the Local Government Association. As a senior member of the team, you will help us generate proactive stories which set the news agenda and secure positive, high-profile, national news coverage for local government.
With a General Election on the horizon there has never been a more exciting time to work for the LGA as we campaign to ensure whoever forms the next government introduces policies to secure the future of local services.
About you
The LGA is in the national media every day on behalf of our members and the ideal candidate will have media relations or journalism experience. They will need excellent personal and influencing skills alongside a positive, proactive attitude.
Working in our Communications Directorate, your main duties will include:
- Generating positive, proactive news stories and rebutting negative news stories about local government;
- Providing advice to elected members and senior staff, preparing briefings for high-profile media interviews;
- Working on policy-driven campaigns which reflect the priorities of our member councils;
- Supporting member councils by offering guidance, advice and help with communications and helping to carry out peer-reviews.
The LGA has a flexible working policy. The salary for a home-based worker is from £39,186 pa or office-based from £43,268 pa (including London Weighting). Office-based staff are required to attend our Westminster office a minimum of two days a week and it is expected that home-based workers attend the office one day a month.
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.
Closing Date: 5pm, Friday 26 April 2024
Interview Date: Thursday 9 May 2024 or Friday 10 May 2024. Interviews can be done virtually or in-person.
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
Our benefits
- LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years’ service and to 33 days after five years’ service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).*
- Flexible & agile working – office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
- Future development – face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals
- The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants.
- Family friendly policies
For more of LGA’s benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga
Our values & behaviours
Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:
- how we work with each other
- how we work with our members and stakeholders
- our expectations for ourselves and each other
Our values are:
Inclusive - We ensure that our work is inclusive of all voices.
Ambitious - We are ambitious for councils and their communities and are committed to striving for excellence in all that we do to support our colleagues, our membership and the sector to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Collaborative - We bring together the expertise and skills needed, working as one team.