Location: London / Hybrid – Please note, office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need. For home-based staff, some occasional travel to London and wider afield is likely required. You’ll be required to participate in an on-call rota for cyber incidents. This will involve an out-of-hours commitment for which a separate allowance is paid.

Fixed term for 24 month (open to internal candidates and secondments from councils)

About us

The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government.

We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems.

We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector.

We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community to this high-profile role.

About the role

Are you passionate about the future of public services, digital innovation, and long-term strategic thinking? We’re looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking LG Futures Adviser to join our Digital Programme team and support the delivery of the LGA’s ambitious Local Government Futures agenda.

Working closely with the Programme Manager, you’ll play a key role in delivering initiatives such as LG2040, public service reform, and the digital dimensions of local government reorganisation and devolution. You’ll help shape the future of local government by supporting research, stakeholder engagement, and the development of innovative policy and practice.

Key Responsibilities

Support the design and delivery of the Local Government Futures programme, including LG2040 and public service reform.
Conduct research, draft briefings, and prepare reports to inform strategic decision-making.
Assist in organising and facilitating workshops, roundtables, and innovation labs with councils and partners.
Monitor project progress, gather insights, and contribute to programme evaluation and improvement.
Collaborate with colleagues across the LGA and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with sector priorities.
Assist in the development of future operating models and scenario planning.
Support the organisation of workshops, roundtables, and events.
Monitor policy developments and contribute to thought leadership on the future of local public services.

About you

We’re looking for someone who is:

Curious, analytical, and passionate about innovation in public services.
A strong communicator, able to write clearly and concisely for different audiences.
Comfortable working with data, research, and emerging trends.
Organised and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and experience supporting projects or programmes.
A team player who thrives in a collaborative environment.

The role:

Conduct research, draft briefings, and prepare reports to inform strategic decision-making.
Assist in organising and facilitating workshops, roundtables, and innovation labs with councils and partners.
Monitor project progress, gather insights, and contribute to programme evaluation and improvement.
Collaborate with colleagues across the LGA and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with sector priorities.
Knowledge of local government, public policy, or digital transformation.
Familiarity with futures thinking, systems innovation, or service design.

You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

To apply

If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria for the role before the closing date.

We are specifically assessing candidates against the following criteria:

Understanding of local government or public sector policy
Familiarity with digital transformation, utilising innovation methodologies, or systems thinking
Experience supporting projects or programmes in a professional setting
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Collaborative and adaptable, with a proactive approach to problem-solving
High level of political awareness and the ability to operate with discretion and diplomacy

Closing Date: 5pm, 31 July 2025

Interview Date: TBC, Interviews will be virtual

In recognition of the summer period and to support future organisational design, we are adopting a new approach to recruitment. All LGA roles will be advertised internally for one week prior to being advertised externally and internally, providing colleagues with the opportunity to engage with roles ahead of wider publication. Should you require additional time to submit an application due to annual leave or other commitments, please contact the recruitment inbox so that appropriate arrangements can be considered.

We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names.

At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit.

The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”. Please contact us via Recruitment@local.gov.uk if you require a reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have.

Our benefits

LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years’ service and to 33 days after five years’ service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).*
Flexible & agile working – office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
Future development – face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals
The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for Dependants.
Family friendly policies

For more of LGA’s benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga

Our values & behaviours

Our Values and Behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:

how we work with each other
how we work with our members and stakeholders
our expectations for ourselves and each other

Our values are:

Collaboration – We value collaboration, to pursue shared goals by encouraging and utilising diverse perspectives and working with internal and external colleagues across the organisation.

Inclusion – We value inclusion, where everyone feels valued, understood, and supported to contribute meaningfully.

Ambition – We value ambition, reflecting our desire to achieve best possible outcomes for local government, communities, and individuals.

Respect – We value respect, to ensure fairness, recognition, and shared accountability.

Adviser - LG Futures