Make Local Government's Collective Voice Impossible to Ignore

There has rarely been a more important - or more exciting - time to shape the future of local government.

Local government touches the lives of millions of people every day. As councils navigate devolution, reorganisation, public service reform and financial pressure, the LGA is at the heart of the national debate - bringing local experience to bear on the country's biggest challenges and making the strongest possible case for the sector.

We're now seeking an exceptional Impact Director - Sector Voice to lead the LGA's national policy and strategy function at this defining moment. This newly configured, nationally significant role is an opportunity to turn the sector's insight, evidence and ambition into credible positions that shape policy, legislation, funding decisions and public debate.

As a member of the Strategic Leadership Team, you will lead multidisciplinary teams covering economic growth and planning, One Public Estate, finance, workforce, and sector strategy and policy. You will build a connected, expert and influential function that listens deeply to councils, convenes the sector and ensures the realities of local delivery are heard in Whitehall and Westminster.

Working closely with the Impact Director - Sector Support, you will create a powerful cycle between insight, policy, improvement and delivery. Intelligence from councils will inform national advocacy; policy positions will shape practical support; and learning from delivery will continually strengthen the LGA's voice and offer.

With devolution gathering pace and local government structures evolving, there is a genuine opportunity to help power flow differently and give places a stronger hand in shaping their futures. You will ensure the sector's collective voice is trusted, evidence-led and impossible to ignore.

You will be a prominent ambassador for local government, building trusted relationships with ministers, senior civil servants, elected members, chief executives, regulators, combined authorities, public bodies and national partners. Internally, you will bring teams together, strengthen professional standards, improve performance and help build a more collaborative, outward-looking culture across functions that have historically worked separately.

You will bring:

• Strong understanding of local government policy, strategy, finance, workforce, growth and place-based agendas.
• A track record of leading policy, strategy or influencing functions in complex, politically nuanced environments.
• The ability to translate sector intelligence into expert, credible policy, lobbying, advocacy and strategic positions.
• Strong political judgement and highly developed relationship-building skills across government, councils and partner organisations.
• Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams, shaping culture and improving performance across professional boundaries.
• A commitment to evidence, insight, innovation and measurable impact for councils and communities.

Whether your background is in local government, central government, a national membership body or another complex public service environment, you will combine strategic influence with the ability to lead change, build consensus and develop positions grounded in the realities and ambitions of councils.

Join us and help secure the powers, resources and support councils need to succeed - strengthening local government's national voice and making a difference for communities across the country.

For a confidential discussion, please contact our search partner GatenbySanderson: Carmel Bell - carmel.bell@gatenbysanderson.com

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
23.59 Sunday 18 October 2026

Longlist Meeting
w/c 26 October 2026

Technical Interviews
w/c 2 November 2026

Shortlist Meeting
w/c 9 November 2026

Stakeholder Panels
w/c 16 November 2026

Final Panel Interviews
w/c 30 November 2026

How to Apply

• Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.
• Detail any employment or education gaps.
• Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
• Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
• Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email contactus@gatenbysanderson.com