Political Strategy Lead

Islington Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent London local authority is seeking a strategic thinker to support political leadership in delivering transformative change. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in policy development, excellent communication skills, and a strong understanding of local government. Responsibilities include leading strategic programmes and providing high-level policy advice. Join a council committed to making real impacts in the community and enjoy competitive benefits including flexible work arrangements and a generous leave policy.

Benefits

Up to 31 days leave per year

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

London Living Wage employer

Excellent local government pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted gym memberships

Qualifications

• Proven experience in policy development within a political setting.
• Strong understanding of local government structures and governance.
• Confidence in producing policy recommendations and strategic briefings.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development and delivery of borough-wide strategic programmes.
• Providing high-level policy advice and briefings to the Leader and Executive.
• Representing elected officials in meetings with regional and national stakeholders.

Skills

Policy development

Excellent communication skills

Political sensitivity

Analytical skills

Job description

About The Role

Are you ready to shape the political direction of one of London’s most ambitious boroughs? Islington Council is looking for a strategic thinker with political acumen to support the Leader and Executive in delivering transformative change. If you thrive in high‑stakes environments and want to make a real impact, this is your opportunity.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the development and delivery of borough‑wide strategic programmes.
• Providing high‑level policy advice and briefings to the Leader and Executive.
• Representing elected officials in meetings with regional and national stakeholders.
• Monitoring political developments and advising on strategic responses.
• Deputising for the Head of Leader & Executive Office when needed.
• Ensuring alignment between political priorities and corporate objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in policy development within a political setting.
• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal.
• A strong understanding of local government structures and governance.
• Political sensitivity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Confidence in producing policy recommendations and strategic briefings.

Desirable Qualities

• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross‑organisational initiatives.
• Familiarity with Islington’s political and community landscape.
• Ability to represent elected officials externally.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Presentation experience with senior audiences.

Who You’ll Be Working With

You’ll be part of the Leader & Executive Office, reporting to Harry Redmond, Head of the Leader & Executive Office. You’ll work closely with elected members, senior officers, and external partners to ensure the Council’s political priorities are delivered effectively and strategically. This is a high‑profile role with real influence across the borough.

Why Join Us?

Islington Council is proud to be a London Living Wage Employer, Disability Confident Leader, and Stonewall Diversity Champion. We live by our values—Collaborative, Ambitious, Resourceful, Empowering (CARE)—and we’re committed to building a borough that works for everyone.

Working for the team, service and our organisation: Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and, as one of the largest employers, we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our Offer to You

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and, as one of the largest employers, we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work‑life balance, as well as a 35‑hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion.

We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero‑tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Post Subject to

The post is subject to a qualifications check and 3/5 years referencing.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.

Contact

For further information or an informal conversation about the post, please contact: Harry Redmond, Head of the Leader & Executive Office. [e-mail]