Adviser to the Mayor Communications (News Media) in London

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.

Behavioural Competencies

• BUILDING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS … is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to 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.
• COMMUNICATING AND INFLUENCING … is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.
• 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.
• DECISION MAKING … is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.
• 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.
• 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.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework.

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).

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345).

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination. We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role, the hiring manager Kate Forbes would be happy to speak to you.

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.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. 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.