Location: Westminster, London

Employment Type: 1 year fixed term contract (also open to internal candidates and secondments from councils)

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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

Reform UK has grown rapidly in local government, winning councillors and councils across the country. To support this growth, the party is now establishing a Group Office at the Local Government Association for the first time. This new office will play an important role in supporting Reform councillors, coordinating activity across the group, and ensuring their voice is effectively represented within the LGA.

As Political Adviser for the Reform UK Group Office, you will be central to this new chapter. Working closely with the Head of Group Office, you will provide the organisation, coordination, and support that keep the office running efficiently and give Reform councillors the strong platform they need to maximise their impact, make their voice heard, and deliver for their communities.

This is a fast-moving role where no two days are the same. It is your opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing political movement - supporting its leadership team, driving the smooth operation of the Group Office, and helping shape Reform UK’s future within local government and beyond.

About you

We are looking for someone who is organised, conscientious, and tenacious — someone who thrives on responsibility and sees challenges through with determination. You will be comfortable under pressure, able to deal with competing demands, and ready to step in wherever needed as the Group Office establishes itself.

You will bring the ability to keep priorities on track, clear and confident communication skills, and sharp attention to detail. You will work effectively with councillors, colleagues, and partners, combining professionalism with sound political judgement. Flexibility is essential, along with the readiness to adapt quickly as circumstances change.

Above all, you will want to be part of something new and significant. By supporting the Group Leader and Head of Group Office, you will help build Reform UK’s first ever Group Office — making sure it is credible, effective, and a driving force within the LGA and across local government.

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.

1. In-depth understanding of local and/or central government and how they operate, with a particular focus on the role of councillors and local authorities.

2. Strong political awareness and understanding of the UK political system, including the role of Reform UK and its priorities.

3. Experience in a political, policy, or communications environment, with proven ability to support elected members and draft clear, persuasive material.

4. Familiarity with media handling and clearance processes, including working to tight deadlines.

5. Experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with councillors, senior officers, or political stakeholders.

6. Excellent communication skills, written and oral, with the ability to summarise complex information, brief councillors, and influence effectively.

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Political Adviser - Reform Group - Job Description

Closing Date: 5pm, 1 October 2025 

Interview Date:  w/c 13 October 2025, interviews will be in-person held in Westminster

This vacancy is inviting both internal and external applicants.  However, due to an ongoing programme of change at the LGA, suitable internal candidates will be prioritised for shortlisting’

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.