Government Relations Adviser

Overview

Transport for London\’s Government Relations Team is looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative Advisor who has strong political judgement and an understanding of the needs of our key political stakeholders. Reporting to a Head of Desk, the Advisor will be accountable for the day-to-day implementation of TfL\’s public affairs strategy working with the relevant senior managers through developing and managing successful relationships with our key stakeholders. No two days are the same and the role includes drafting responses to correspondence from elected officials, developing and implementing communications plans for our political stakeholders linked to TfL\’s strategy, planning and delivering visits and events with our key stakeholders, leading on specific subject matter areas for your desk, representing the team at key meetings, drafting responses to Mayor\’s Questions and preparing senior managers for national and regional committee sessions.

Key Accountabilities

• Effectively developing and managing successful relationships with key stakeholders (Members of Parliament, Assembly Members, Government, the London Assembly, other UK cities) to ensure the successful day-to-day delivery of TfL\’s public affairs strategy. The successful candidate will be the single point of contact for a small group of MPs and London Assembly Members and will lead on TfL\’s relationship with these important stakeholders.
• Supporting senior managers to ensure the effective preparation of Executive Committee members and other senior managers to build successful relationships and attend scrutiny sessions and meetings with political and other stakeholders. Safeguarding TfL\’s reputation through the effective resolution and coordination of TfL responses to political correspondence and monitoring the progress on scrutiny including Mayor\’s Questions, committees, and government announcements.
• Representing TfL effectively with assigned stakeholder audiences, resolving issues successfully and addressing any concerns raised. Provides prompt escalation to drive quick and appropriate resolutions.
• Ensuring senior managers and TfL more widely are well-informed about the policy and political environment by effectively monitoring and analysing developments and communicating them in a timely way.
• Securing a conducive funding, policy and legislative environment for TfL by working with and supporting senior managers to design and implement campaigns.
• Representing Government Relations and collaborating effectively across the public affairs teams, Communications and Corporate Affairs directorate and wider TfL to ensure joined-up communication and effective achievement of TfL and Mayoral goals.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Able to produce and adapt clear and concise research on complex issues often to tight deadlines, including drafting position papers and correspondence.
• Confidence to play a full and active part in internal meetings up to senior management level (including briefing the Executive Committee) and in meetings with external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing on complex issues, to edit and improve the written work of others.
• Proven ability to build strong collaborative working relationships with senior colleagues and external political groups.
• Politically astute, with a sound awareness of the key policy issues affecting transport decisions in London.
• Excellent influencing and negotiating skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal skills, with an ability to perform well in high-pressure situations.

Experience

• Experience of working in a fast-paced team, dealing with a range of conflicting priorities and pressures.
• Experience of working in a mainstream public affairs environment, working with a number of stakeholder audiences, including politicians and government officials as appropriate.
• Experience of proactively engaging with external audiences and political institutions, and also of encouraging third-party advocacy and mitigating criticism.
• Experience of working in a political environment, specifically within the transport sector would be an advantage.
• Excellent record of delivering results on time and within budget.

Knowledge

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject, or with relevant professional experience.
• Understanding of the political environment in which TfL operates nationally and regionally, including relationships with Government, Parliament, the Mayor of London and the London Assembly as appropriate.
• Excellent understanding of the way that policy is developed and implemented, and how political engagement influences this.
• Excellent understanding of the challenges London faces and TfL\’s corporate and engagement strategy.
• Understanding of the relationship between the Mayor\’s priorities, business strategy and public affairs strategy.
• Understanding of emerging policy in transport.

Fixed-term notice on pension and equality

As a fixed term contractor we can offer you a choice of pension arrangements. If you choose not to take our final salary pension scheme you will be paid an allowance on top of your salary, subject to Tax and National Insurance. We will share all the details with you at offer stage and the choice will be yours based on your circumstances. Depending on what you choose you can add up-to 14% to your salary.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel for you on the TfL network
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel

Working pattern

Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4 week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.