09 Oct
Greater London Authority
London
Job description
About the role
This is an opportunity to take on a unique role as Lead Communications and Public Engagement Manager for the City Hall Conservative Members of the London Assembly :
You will be responsible for managing the communications support to the Conservative London Assembly Members. This will include developing and implementing communications plans, responding to media enquiries, generating media coverage and content through a variety of methods (including social media), monitoring media activity, supporting Assembly Members with events coordination, and supervising the communications work of other staff.
Excellent organisational, communication and stakeholder management skills are essential.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience working in similar roles in press and communications.
What your day will look like
- Developing innovative and effective external communications plans for projects undertaken by the Conservative London Assembly Members to ensure that they are maximising their impact, holding the Mayor of London to account and representing the views of Londoners.
- Effectively monitoring relevant media activity, and providing timely advice to relevant Assembly Members, including early warning of potential issues, in relation to media management.
- Responding to media enquiries effectively, accurately and quickly, ensuring that responses properly reflect the particular Member’s views.
- Generating media coverage and support for Assembly Members in relation to the range of their GLA roles and functions.
- Supervising the communications work of other staff within the Group office.
Skills, knowledge and experience
To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria :
- Experience of delivering a broad range of external communications strategies, initiatives and techniques to achieve the desired impact.
- Experience of writing press releases and articles, using digital media platforms, and dealing with senior stakeholders and journalists.
- Strong political awareness.
- Experience and understanding of how organisations increase their influence on the policy issues that matter to them.
- Knowledge and understanding of the media and experience of using different media to promote strategic policies and priorities.
- Experience of measuring and recording the impacts of external communications strategies.
How to apply
If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following :
- Up to date CV
- Personal Statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert and job description below.
Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role.
Please upload a personal statement to the Additional Documents’ section of the form. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
Please ensure your CV and Personal statement documents are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.
g. CV applicant name - 012345)
Please note, if you do not provide both a CV and a Personal statement,
you will not be considered for the role so please ensure the above has been submitted before the deadline.
If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager, Lewis Preston, would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the who support the GLA with recruitment.
Assessment process
Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.
If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview / assessment. The interview date is : Week commencing 15 July 2024.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels.
We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.
Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be
considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process,
we will accommodate as much as possible.
Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.
GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.
In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.
Additional Information
Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct.
Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.
Job Description
Principal accountabilities
- To develop innovative and effective external communications plans for projects undertaken by the Conservative London Assembly Members to ensure that they are maximising their impact, holding the Mayor of London to account and representing the views of Londoners.
- To effectively monitor relevant media activity, and to provide effective and timely advice to relevant Assembly Members, including early warning of potential issues,
in relation to media management.
- Respond to media enquiries effectively, accurately and quickly, ensuring that responses properly reflect the particular Member’s views.
- To generate, using a variety of methods, media coverage and support for Assembly Members in relation to the range of their GLA roles and functions.
- To oversee and supervise the communications work of other staff within the Group office.
- To act and manage resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards;
- to realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities;
to realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, participating in multi-discipline cross departmental and organisational groups and task teams.
Person specification
Technical requirements / experience / qualifications
- Experience of delivering a broad range of external communications strategies, initiatives and techniques to achieve the desired impact.
- Experience of writing press releases and articles, using digital media platforms, and dealing with senior stakeholders and journalists.
- Strong political awareness.
- Experience and understanding of how organisations increase their influence on the policy issues that matter to them.
- Knowledge and understanding of the media and experience of using different media to promote strategic policies and priorities.
- Knowledge and understanding of London and the issues facing a major world city.
- Evidence of the ability to write concisely and fluently.
- Experience of measuring and recording the impacts of external communications strategies.
Behavioural competencies
Communicating and Influencing
is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others
see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.
Level 2 indicators of effective performance
- Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders
- Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication
- Persuades others, using evidence based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively
- Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way
- Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally
Building and Managing relationships
is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people,
sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.
Level 2 indicators of effective performance
- Develops new professional relationships
- Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement
- Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action
- Fosters an environment where others feel respected
- Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals
Managing and Developing Performance
is setting high standards for oneself and others, guiding, motivating and developing them, to achieve high performance and meet the GLA’s objectives and statutory obligations.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance
- Motivates and inspires others to perform to their best, recognising and valuing their work and encouraging them to learn and reflect
- Sets clear direction and expectations and enables others to interpret competing priorities
- Agrees and monitors challenging, achievable performance objectives in line with GLA priorities
- Manages performance issues effectively to avoid adverse impact on team morale and performance
- Promotes a positive team culture that respects diversity and deals with barriers to inclusion
Organisational Awareness
is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond the GLA and shaping our approach accordingly.
Level 2 indicators of effective performance
- Challenges unethical behaviour
- Uses understanding of the GLA’s complex partnership arrangements to deliver effectively
- Recognises how political changes and sensitivities impact on own and team’s work
- Is aware of the changing needs of Londoners, anticipating resulting changes for work agendas
- Follows the GLA’s position in the media and understands how it impacts on work
Responding to Pressure and Change
is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the
situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.
Level 2 indicators of effective performance
- Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure
- Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements
- Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve
- Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives
- Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change
Planning and Organising
is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured
and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
Level 2 indicators of effective performance
- Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables
- Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones
- Identifies and consults with sponsors or stake holders in planning work
More Support
If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact .