You will help build a more connected, ambitious and influential function, bringing together media, campaigns, content, stakeholder engagement and external affairs behind a compelling organisational narrative and a stronger voice for local government. As the strategic steward of that narrative, you will work closely with the Chief Executive, political leadership and senior colleagues to ensure the realities of local delivery are heard clearly in Whitehall, Westminster and beyond. You will lead political, parliamentary and stakeholder engagement, build trusted relationships with MPs, senior civil servants, council leaders, chief executives and national partners, and ensure the LGA's insight, influence and expertise help shape national decision-making.

You will also play a central role in strengthening campaigns, media, content and digital engagement, helping the organisation become more proactive, more integrated and more impactful. You will provide day-to-day leadership across a directorate of c40 colleagues, bringing teams together, improving performance and helping create a modern, resilient and agile communications function.

A key priority will be helping the organisation move beyond activity and outputs towards demonstrable outcomes and impact. You will strengthen how the LGA measures success, evaluates influence and shows the value communications and external affairs create for members and the wider sector.

About you

You will be a politically astute, visible and highly credible communications and external affairs leader, comfortable operating in complex environments and building confidence with senior stakeholders.

You may come from local government, central government, a membership organisation or another complex, high-profile environment. What matters is your ability to build influential relationships, shape compelling narratives and bring people together behind shared priorities.

You will bring:

• A track record of leading communications, external affairs, engagement or influencing functions through significant change and transformation.
• Experience of working with Westminster, Whitehall and wider public policy organisations environment.
• The credibility to build trusted relationships with politicians, senior officials, chief executives and external partners.
• Experience of developing compelling organisational narratives and translating complexity into clear, persuasive communications.
• The ability to connect strategy and delivery, bringing multidisciplinary teams together behind shared priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong editorial, storytelling or journalism capability highly desirable.

There is nowhere quite like the LGA. Our people combine national reach with deep sector and policy expertise, united by a determination to make a difference that is felt in councils and communities across the country.

We are cross-party and politically led, working with leaders from every part of England to build consensus, represent our members and make the strongest possible case for local government.

For local government, and for the LGA, this is a defining moment.

Join us and help shape the next chapter of an organisation with national influence, strengthening local government's voice and ensuring the realities of local delivery continue to shape national decision-making.

To find out more about the role, please contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson: Frazer Thouard (frazer.thouard@gatenbysanderson.com) or Delicia Coutinho (delicia.coutinho @gatenbysanderson.com)