The Mayor's Office is Hiring

WE ARE NEWHAM.

Newham is one of the youngest and most dynamic boroughs in London, with a diverse population representing cultures from around the world. We are proud of our rich community, vibrant growth and innovations in work from public participation to just transition and models of service delivery. Driving forward at pace on a journey of improvement and stepping up to significant financial pressures like so many councils, we’re committed to ensuring that every part of Newham thrives – sustainably, equitably and inclusively.

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, who grew up and has lived her whole life in Newham, has been the Labour Directly Elected Mayor since 2018. She is focused on delivering her Building a Fairer Newham agenda through the council’s own work and in collaboration with communities and partners within and beyond the borough, and ensuring a culture of good governance, transparency and accountability in all we do. Particular priorities for her are giving all young people in Newham the best support to explore and fulfil their potential, unlocking Newham’s regeneration opportunities in a way that supports Community Wealth Building, helping families to build their own resilience in the face of financial pressures, and supporting the cohesion and integration of our diverse communities and faiths and tackling racism and inequality through all the council’s services and actions.  

The Mayor’s Office provides strategic advice and administrative support to the Mayor and her Cabinet. Helping to facilitate effective working between the political and officer leadership, it operates as a lynchpin in the heart of the council, playing a key role in supporting the shaping of strategy and policy, the oversight and assurance of delivery, and the maintenance of strong relationships with residents and partners. Following a restructuring, we are now seeking to recruit three officers to provide the leadership to the Office to help the Mayor and council to deliver on her ambitions and make a tangible difference to the people and communities of this wonderful borough.  Strong candidates will demonstrate a sensitivity to Newham’s diverse local context and ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving and intense political environment.

Mayor’s Chief of Staff & Strategic Adviser | £75,201 - £95,382pa

Leading the Mayor’s Office, you will be responsible for providing strategic advice and support to the Mayor and Cabinet Members yourself, particularly across key and sensitive issues, and ensuring efficient and co-ordinated advice and support from the rest of the team. You will oversee key internal corporate governance and decision-making arrangements, working closely with and advising senior officers and collaborating with colleagues to ensure a ‘one council’ approach. You will be responsible for the working practices of the Office and for fostering a positive, flexible and supportive team environment, that delivers to a high standard in an often pressurised context and dealing with issues of the greatest sensitivity.

You will have senior experience of advising politicians and providing well-judged and sensitive counsel and guidance on a wide range of issues. You will be able to demonstrate the relationship and communications skills, political nous, practical grip and focus on good governance and impact on residents to enable you to secure impact and progress the Mayor and council’s agendas. Your credibility and approach will make you a valued and influential colleague within the council and contact for partners. An inspiring and empathetic leader you will support and empower your team to thrive and succeed individually and collectively, and will ensure that systems and practices are honed to enable effective, efficient and responsive working. 

Find out how to apply for this role

Mayor’s Performance & Delivery Adviser | £58,818 - £71,412pa

You will advise and support the Mayor on the management and delivery of her administration’s priorities and responses to issues arising that impact on these. Working closely with other teams in the corporate centre you will ensure effective corporate governance and administrative arrangements are in place and operate smoothly to support timely and well-informed policy-shaping and decision-making, oversight and assurance. You will support the Mayor to maintain oversight and appropriate influence over the development and delivery of Cabinet Members’ portfolio responsibilities advising those Cabinet Members in turn as needed, and supporting them all to manage positive relationships and engagement with Overview & Scrutiny and other constitutional bodies.

You will have a strong track record of shaping and running governance and performance management arrangements in local authorities. But you will be more than just a systems manager, you will also be adept at understanding what is needed to inform strategic direction-setting and shaping effective delivery, and able to use this to advise and support politicians and officers in their respective roles. With the judgement to make connections, spot challenges or sensitivities and help shape suitable responses, and the ability to keep an eye on a wide range of issues, you will become a ‘go-to’ for advice and support. An inspiring and empowering manager, you will lead your own staff to thrive, deliver to high standards and develop in their roles and careers, as well as ensuring a co-ordinated and positive environment in the Mayor’s Office as a whole.  

Find out how to apply for this role

Mayor’s External Affairs and Communications Adviser | £58,818 - £71,412pa

You will advise and support the Mayor on her externally facing responsibilities, including as a leader of place working with residents, VCSF and partners in the borough, and with London and national government and other funders and influencers. Working closely with Strategy, Communications, Resident Engagement and other functions, you will advise on, give impetus to and ensure co-ordination and impact of actions to realise the Mayor’s ambition for Newham to be a ‘campaigning council’ not just delivering for our residents but making the case for them and what is needed to ‘Build a Fairer Newham’. You will also advise the Mayor and work with colleagues to ensure strategic and responsive communications, with a consistent clear narrative and style that reflect her commitment for ‘people at the heart of everything we do’ and support the reputation of the council. You will be an inspiring and empowering manager for the Mayor’s Assistant and Labour Group Political Assistant, supporting them to provide political support. 

You will be experienced in planning and delivering at least one of public affairs, communications and resident engagement. Able to both shape and drive coherent strategic plans and craft impactful communications and campaigns, with a clarity on audience and a relentless focus on purpose and impact, and you’ll be able to balance a long-term perspective while being quick to spot emerging issues and have the judgement to advise on and help deliver appropriate swift responses where needed. An excellent drafter and able to make a persuasive case, you will build effective and trusted relations with politicians and officers, and with external partners, quickly to enable you to shape and influence impact beyond your immediate control. You will have a good understanding of local government politics and how to work effectively with politicians, respecting and recognising their and officers’ respective roles. An inspiring and empowering manager, you will lead your own staff to thrive, deliver to high standards and develop in their roles and careers, as well as ensuring a co-ordinated and positive environment in the Mayor’s Office as a whole.

Find out how to apply for this role