Mayor's Political Advisor

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

This is an exciting time to join Lewisham Council and the Mayor & Cabinet Office. The borough has just elected Liam Shrivastava as its new Mayor and we are looking for a Mayor's Political Advisor to join the team and help drive delivery against an ambitious manifesto and to enhance the profile of the Mayor.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Political Advisor to provide high-level political advice and support to the Mayor on internal and external matters. This role requires a strategic thinker with a keen understanding of political landscapes, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

You will need a detailed understanding of the issues facing local government and of Green Party policy at a local/national level. You will be able to provide strong political advice and guidance to senior members on a range of issues, personalising your approach to deliver positive results with a range of audiences. You will be a fantastic communicator across a range of mediums, supporting the Mayor with key note speeches and media engagement that positively affects change in the borough. You will have an ability to develop effective networks with Parliamentarians and key local stakeholders which maximise the impact of the ambitions of the Mayor.

What’s the role?

In this key role, you will be instrumental in shaping the political landscape of Lewisham and promoting the Mayor's vision. You will lead corporate parliamentary engagement and lobbying activities, collaborate with the Communications Team on delivering a public affairs strategy, and research and develop speeches to enhance the Mayor's reputation. Your ability to provide high-level strategic advice, build strong stakeholder relationships, and contribute to the overall governance and reputation of the council will be crucial. If you are a seasoned political advisor with a passion for making a positive impact, we invite you to apply.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

Location

The job is primarily based in Lewisham Civic Suite, Catford Road, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

• Evening and some weekend working is required for this job
• Interviews are scheduled to take place w/c 15 June 2026

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs. Please ensure your supporting statement addresses all of the essential criteria in the person specification as this will be used for the purpose of shortlisting.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Charlie Hughes (Head of Mayor's Office) - Charlie.Hughes@lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£72,075 to £76,872 per annum (SMG 2)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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