London Councils is the collective of London local government - the 32 boroughs and the City of London. Through the London Councils Shared Ambitions agreed by our political leadership, we aim to get the best deal for Londoners and to ensure that London’s councils have the resources, freedoms and powers to do the best possible job for their residents and local businesses. We also run a number of services on behalf of the boroughs including the Freedom Pass, Taxicard and Health Emergency Badge.

A key part of the job will be to liaise with London’s Conservative elected representatives at local, regional and national level. You will be a key interface between the wider organisation and the Conservative Group.

 Experience of producing written reports, briefings, and draft speeches on policy issues is essential. You must be able to understand and reflect the political position of the Group and be able to represent the Conservative Group at external meetings and events with authority and confidence

 The successful post-holder will be employed by London Councils Ltd but will enjoy all the terms and conditions of employment as an employee of London Councils, except as political adviser, will not be able to hold any leading positions as a councillor. These include any executive role in an Administration and any shadow roles including Leader or Deputy Leader of other groups, shadow portfolio holder or chair of any scrutiny committee. This restriction also extends to the London Assembly and to other leading roles. This list is not exhaustive and the post-holder will, at the request of the Chief Executive, resign from any political office which the Chief Executive in his absolute discretion, considers inappropriate.

Aims of role:

• To provide advice, briefing and support to the London Councils Conservative Group and its senior members in relation to their work at London Councils.

• To act as a political link between the Conservative Group and the rest of London Councils, and support effective cross-party decision making and action on behalf of London local government.

Duties and Responsibilities:

To provide high quality and responsive political advice and support to the Group Leader and other Group members on issues affecting London local government and the work of London Councils;

To provide regular and timely advice to the London Councils Chief Executive and officers across the organisation on emerging policy and political issues within the Group;

To facilitate effective and timely clearance, contact and liaison between policy officers and relevant Conservative Group portfolio holders and councillors;

To work with London Councils Media and Public Affairs team in developing, agreeing and clearing media positions and advising on parliamentary engagement;

To produce, where necessary, draft letters, articles and speeches on behalf of the Group Leader and other senior councillors;

To support all functions of the London Councils Conservative Group, including organising and supporting regular Group meetings, managing Conservative Group appointments, and arranging an Annual General Meeting, and to support the Group Whip in the undertaking of his or her duties;

To update and brief Conservative Group members on the work of London Councils, through regular updates and events such as Away Days;

To liaise with national and regional elected representatives, including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Conservative Parliamentarians, to communicate the work of the Conservative Group and London Councils, and to support the work of the London Councils Media and Public Affairs team and Policy teams;

To liaise with other key political contacts including the LGA Conservative Group and national and Conservative Party staff;

To work with the London Councils Communications and Public Affairs team to plan and organise London Councils events, meetings and lobbying activity at Party Conferences;

To maintain good links with all borough Conservative Groups, in particular through liaising with borough support officers, researchers and political assistants;

To contribute to the effectiveness of London Councils by bringing a political and political group perspective to the work of the organisation overall.