Role details
About Us
The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local government. Our mission is to strengthen local government so communities can thrive. We champion the sector, ensuring it has the powers, resources and support needed to deliver the best possible outcomes for residents. We are a politically led, cross-party organisation.
With devolution expanding across England, we are evolving our membership offer to best represent the whole of local government including to support strategic authorities at every stage of their development. This role will play a leading role in shaping the future of devolution by working with senior leaders across government and the public sector to influence national policy and sector-wide change.
To find out more information about what it’s like to work at the LGA, please visit http://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga and for information on Equality and Diversity at the LGA, please visit https://www.local.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity-lga
The Context
The LGA vision is to champion and be the voice of local government, ensuring it has the resources, powers and support to deliver the best possible outcomes for communities. As devolution and local government reorganisation reshape the landscape, the LGA is evolving too by strengthening how it represents, convenes and supports strategic authorities as part of a changing system. This is a rare opportunity to bring experience of devolved government, place leadership and system reform to a national stage, helping shape the LGA’s response at a pivotal moment. The role will influence how strategic authorities are reflected within the organisation, raise their profile nationally, and help build a stronger LGA that brings together all tiers of local government to best support communities.
If you have experience working in devolved systems and within the strategic authority environment this is an opportunity to make your mark on the future of the sector.
The Role
We are seeking a Strategic Authorities Principal Lead to provide senior leadership and direction for our work with both existing and emerging strategic authorities.
This is a high-profile role where you will shape the LGA’s approach to devolution and strategic authority engagement, acting as a trusted adviser to senior political and executive leaders across local and central government.
You will lead the delivery of our Strategic Authorities Engagement Programme which is a cross organisational programme that is defining and strengthening the LGA’s relationship with strategic authorities, building and strengthening relationships with mayors, chief executives, council leaders and national partners.
Alongside programme delivery, the role acts as a senior ambassador, building influential partnerships with strategic authorities, civil servants, mayors, councils, and national or partner organisations, and shaping national policy and the wider devolution agenda.
The role requires substantial experience delivering strategic programmes in complex or politically sensitive environments, underpinned by a strong understanding of local government, devolution, and strategic authorities.
The postholder can choose if they wish to undertake this role as home-based or office-based (Westminster). There may occasionally be a need for the postholder to travel to London or elsewhere in England.
- The position is required to support immediate delivery needs
- The organisation is consulting on its operating model
- The grade and responsibilities are subject to confirmation
- Priority consideration may be given to employees at risk where they have the required qualifications and experience
Apply Now
If you are passionate about strengthening local government and shaping the future of strategic authorities, we would love to hear from you.
To apply submit your CV and supporting statement setting out how you meet the job specification (no more than two sides).
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 find out more please speak to Rachel Litherland (rachel.litherland@local.gov.uk)
Closing date: 13 July 2026, 5pm
Interview date: TBC August 2026 (please give your availability in August with your application)
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.
