Adviser to the Mayor Communications (News Media) in London

Key information

Salary: £58,217 per annum + £7,382 p/a Out of Hours payment

The Mayor's Office is responsible for supporting the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Supporting the Mayor, Deputy Mayors and lead advisors such as the Chief Digital Officer, the Mayor’s Office is organised into four small units:

• Communications
• Mayoral Operations
• Policy and Delivery
• Political and Public Affairs

About the role

The role sits at the heart of the Mayor of London’s office, ensuring that high-quality communications are delivered on a daily basis, particularly in the London and national media. We are looking for a candidate who thrives on the fast pace and variety of the cycle of news and events in the capital, and the daily challenges faced by the Mayor and wider GLA.

A main responsibility will be driving strong media coverage in the London, national, and international press around the Mayor’s key priorities, while working closely alongside colleagues to ensure similar success in digital media and working with content creators. You will be required to work very closely with the Mayor and senior team, including staffing events and managing the media, while providing Q&A and briefings to the Mayor. You will be at the heart of driving successful values-driven campaigns and comms output working with partners across the Greater London Authority and other stakeholders and partners across London.

What your day will look like

• Provide high-level media and communications advice to the Mayor and Mayoral appointees as well as GLA teams, to ensure the priorities of the Mayor are delivered.
• Attend and participate in communications planning meetings and deliver activities outlined as required.
• Develop and utilise a significant network of contacts with key print, broadcast and online journalists, commentators, political editors and other correspondents, including the Westminster Lobby and national broadcasters.
• Demonstrate sound political judgement and high-quality political writing and keep up to date with current media trends including online media.
• Work with the digital team and others in external relations to ensure the Mayor’s priorities are communicated via news social media and content creators.
• Accompany the Mayor to external engagements and manage briefing and senior media stakeholder liaison, including on overseas visits.
• Write briefings and Q&As for the Mayor as required.
• Assist the Mayor’s Head of Strategic Communications and Senior Adviser to the Mayor, Briefing & Assembly Liaison by providing speechwriting and copy drafting support when required.
• Contribute to the management of cross-organisational communications activities as appropriate, working with the press, marketing and digital teams and the Mayor’s Office.
• Act-up to cover the role of Mayoral Director, Communications, as required as part of an out-of-hours rota.
• Manage staff and resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethic and Standards.
• Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.
• Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• A high level of knowledge and experience within media management.
• A proven track record of success of co-ordinating, developing, leading and implementing media and public relations activities in a political or complex organisation.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the media - with particular regard to excellent relations with and contacts network of broadcast & print political reporters and correspondents - and experience of successfully targeting a range of different media to promote strategic policies and priorities.
• Experience of working with senior colleagues across policy and public affairs teams to solve problems and deliver communications outcomes.
• Being skilled to deliver high-quality written and in-person briefings to senior leaders under pressure and in a short time period.
• Knowledge and understanding of London and the issues facing a major world city.

BUILDING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS

… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 2

• Develops new professional relationships
• Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement
• Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action
• Fosters an environment where others feel respected
• Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals

STAKEHOLDER FOCUS

… is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.

Level 2

• Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear
• Presents the GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders
• Delivers a timely and accurate service
• Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapts own service accordingly
• Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve the GLA’s service to Londoners

COMMUNICATING AND INFLUENCING

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.

Level 3

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication
• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments
• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement
• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organization

STRATEGIC THINKING

…is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action.

Level 2

• Works with a view to the future, prioritising own and others’ work in line with GLA objectives
• Briefs and prepares team to accomplish goals and objectives
• Communicates the GLA’s strategic priorities in a compelling and convincing manner, encouraging buy-in
• Balances own team’s needs with wider organisational needs
• Identifies synergies between team priorities and other relevant agendas

DECISION MAKING

… is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.

Level 2

• Takes decisions as necessary on the basis of the information available
• Makes decisions without unnecessarily referring to others
• Involves and consults internal and external stakeholders early in decisions that impact them
• Identifies potential barriers to decision making and initiates action to move a situation forward
• Demonstrates awareness of the GLA’s decision making processes and how to use them

PLANNING AND ORGANISING

… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 3

• Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery
• Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits
• Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders
• Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard
• Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables

RESPONDING TO PRESSURE AND CHANGE

… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 3

• Clarifies direction and adapts to changing priorities and uncertain times
• Minimises the pressure of change for the directorate, lessening the impact for the team
• Uses change as an opportunity to improve ways of working, encouraging others’ buy-in
• Keeps staff motivated and engaged during times of change, promoting the benefits
• Takes ownership for communicating change initiatives clearly, ensuring smooth implementation

This is a politically restricted role under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

This role is based at City Hall, Royal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE).

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.