Head of Public Affairs

LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Liverpool City Council as our Head of Public Affairs.

We are passionate about improving the lives of our residents and want to maximise opportunities for Liverpool and position the Council as national leaders in the delivery of public service innovation and urban solutions.

We are seeking a collaborative, creative, and strategic leader to shape and lead our public affairs and government engagement programme and oversee all activity.

As Head of Public Affairs, you will work closely with the Council’s senior leadership and will develop strong working relations with stakeholders, including the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, core cities, and government.

Key responsibilities

• Lead on the development and implementation of the Council’s annual public affairs and government engagement programme, which will promote local policy priorities and proposals.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including politicians, government officials, the combined authority, core cities, policymakers, and influential organisations.
• Advise senior leadership, matrix manage many different project teams, and maintain a close working relationship with teams from across the Council.
• Contribute to ministerial letters, policy briefings, position statements, consultation responses, and other external content to influence policy decisions.

Our offer to you

• At least 31 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part-time) – option to purchase further days.
• Agile working (role dependent) – a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception.
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme.
• Progression – opportunities and training through a wide range of high-quality learning.
• Health and wellbeing offer, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes.
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme.
• Family-friendly policies with enhanced leave.
• Discounted gym memberships.
• Employee Volunteering Scheme.
• Medicash.

A bit about us

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We’ve got ambitious targets to meet, and we need people who are driven, dynamic, and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous, thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, and beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

Next steps

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Matt Stanton, Senior Recruitment Officer, at [e-mail]. There will also be opportunities to speak to senior leaders at Liverpool City Council throughout the process.

To apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 6 May 2025.

Shortlisting will take place in the w/c 16 May. Interviews are provisionally scheduled for late May/early June. Please note that the interview process may include multiple rounds and presentation assessments, etc.

We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please complete an application as early as possible.

Please note: this vacancy is classified as a politically restricted position.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at [e-mail].