Senior Adviser - Policy

• Senior_Adviser__LGA___JD__-_updated

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Location: Westminster

One year, Fixed term (open to internal and external candidates and secondments from councils)

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.

We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community to this high-profile role.

About the role

The LGA has a strong track record of securing positive policy outcomes for local government in the areas of housing, planning and homelessness. In this role you will lead a small team to influence and deliver further policy change for the sector through the establishment and maintenance of relationships with central government, councils, parliamentarians and a range of other stakeholders.

Political oversight for this area of work is provided by the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee and you will work closely with elected politicians in shaping the LGA’s policy positions and lobbying strategies.

Working with the team you will ensure that the LGA: is at the forefront of policy development and solutions; is engaging with government formally and informally through working groups, consultation responses and preparing elected members for Ministerial meetings; has a strong relationship with key partners and think tanks in this area of policy; is engaging with select committees and MPs on matters of legislation; is communicating its positions in the media; and is actively engaging with our member councils to ensure that the work of the LGA is informed by what is happening at the front line of service delivery.This role is offered on a full-time fixed term contract for one year. We welcome candidates who would want a one year secondment opportunity.

About you

If you’re passionate about housing, planning and homelessness and want to help shape the policy environment in which councils operate and ultimately improve outcomes for communities, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll bring insight into these policy areas, a solid understanding of the policy development process and of local government, and a collaborative approach to working with stakeholders.

You will have experience of a fast-paced working environment servicing multiple stakeholders, a collaborative mindset, and a continuous improvement mentality.

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 for the role before the closing date.

We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:

1. Understanding of local and central government, including their roles, structures, relationships, and the wider policy and improvement agenda.
2. Proven track record of achievement in complex political environments, preferably in local or central government.
3. Experience in developing strong partnerships; managing performance; contributing to the development of strategies, interventions and innovative solutions to complex issues; and delivering projects on time and within budget.
4. Strong analytical skills including the ability to interpret evidence and identify trends.
5. Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, including influencing and negotiating with a wide range of stakeholders, public speaking, and presenting complex ideas clearly.
6. Collaborative and flexible team player, able to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively across teams

Closing Date: 12 Noon, Monday 18 August 2025
Interview Date: W/C 25 August 2025, interviews will be virtual or in-person

We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names.

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”. Please contact us via Recruitment@local.gov.uk if you require a reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have.

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:

Collaboration – We value collaboration, to pursue shared goals by encouraging and utilising diverse perspectives and working with internal and external colleagues across the organisation.

Inclusion – We value inclusion, where everyone feels valued, understood, and supported to contribute meaningfully.

Ambition – We value ambition, reflecting our desire to achieve best possible outcomes for local government, communities, and individuals.

Respect – We value respect, to ensure fairness, recognition, and shared accountability.