Jobs

Make Local Government’s Collective Voice Impossible to Ignore

There has rarely been a more important – or more exciting – time to shape the future of local government.

Local government touches the lives of millions of people every day. As councils navigate devolution, reorganisation, public service reform and financial pressure, the LGA is at the heart of the national debate – bringing local experience to bear on the country’s biggest challenges and making the strongest possible case for the sector.

We’re now seeking an exceptional Impact Director – Sector Voice to lead the LGA’s national policy and strategy function at this defining moment. This newly configured, nationally significant role is an opportunity to turn the sector’s insight, evidence and ambition into credible positions that shape policy, legislation, funding decisions and public debate.

As a member of the Strategic Leadership Team, you will lead multidisciplinary teams covering economic growth and place, local government finance, workforce, public service reform and sector strategy and policy. You will build a connected, expert and influential function that listens deeply to councils, convenes the sector and ensures the realities of local delivery are heard in Whitehall and Westminster.

Working closely with the Impact Director – Sector Support, you will create a powerful cycle between insight, policy, improvement and delivery. Intelligence from councils will inform national advocacy; policy positions will shape practical support; and learning from delivery will continually strengthen the LGA’s voice and offer.

With devolution gathering pace and local government structures evolving, there is a genuine opportunity to help power flow differently and give places a stronger hand in shaping their futures. You will ensure the sector’s collective voice is trusted, evidence-led and impossible to ignore.

You will be a prominent ambassador for local government, building trusted relationships with ministers, senior civil servants, elected members, chief executives, regulators, combined authorities, public bodies and national partners. Internally, you will bring teams together, strengthen professional standards, improve performance and help build a more highly collaborative, outward-looking culture across a range of functions.

You will bring:

• Strong understanding of local government policy, strategy, finance, workforce, growth and place-based agendas.
• A track record of leading policy, strategy or influencing functions in complex, politically nuanced environments.
• The ability to translate sector intelligence into expert, credible policy, lobbying, advocacy and strategic positions.
• Strong political judgement and highly developed relationship-building skills across government, councils and partner organisations.
• Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams, shaping culture and improving performance across professional boundaries.
• A commitment to evidence, insight, innovation and measurable impact for councils and communities.

Whether your background is in local government, central government, a national membership body or another complex public service environment, you will combine strategic influence with the ability to lead change, build consensus and develop positions grounded in the realities and ambitions of councils.

Join us and help secure the powers, resources and support councils need to succeed – strengthening local government’s national voice and making a difference for communities across the country.

For further information contact frazer.thouard@gatenbysanderson.com or carmel.bell@gatenbysanderson.com or visit https://lga.gs-attract.com/.

Closing date: 23.59 Sunday 18 October 2026

Company: Local Government Association

Salary: up to £139,000

Location: London (Greater), London (Greater)

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Corporate Management Team

Sector: Regeneration and Local Economies

Job Role: Director