Labour Group Assistant

**Grade/Salary £38,607-£41,793 per annum inclusive**

**Advert Text**:
We are looking for a highly motivated, ambitious, and politically aware individual to join the Leader’s Office at Merton Council as the Labour Group Assistant. This is a key role which sits at the heart of Merton Council, supporting Cllr Ross Garrod, Leader of the Council, his Cabinet, and the wider Labour Group.

With a new Leader of the Council, new Cabinet, new Chief Executive and new corporate management team, this is an exciting time to join the council and support the administration as it delivers its new long-term strategy around nurturing civic pride, building a sustainable future, and creating a borough of sport.

Working to the Head of the Leader’s Office, you will provide direct policy, communications, and administrative support to the administration, and act as a link between the Leader of the Council, Cabinet, and the wider Labour Group.

The role will require a capable all-rounder, comfortable with working in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment. You will have a strong understanding of local government and the challenges it faces, and be able to demonstrate political awareness and confidence in dealing with political leaders. You will be highly organised and be able to manage a busy workload and competing priorities. You will have excellent communication skills, with experience of producing high quality written communications such as speeches, articles, press notices, social media content, and newsletters.

In addition to supporting the Leader, Cabinet and wider Labour Group to develop effective communications, narrative, and messaging, you will support the Labour Group in Merton’s cycle of Council meetings. In this role, you will also support the engagement of key local stakeholders, and monitor local, London-wide, and national issues, policy and legislation and how they impact Merton. You will need to develop strong working relationships with Councillors and officers across the Council in order to stay abreast of developing policy and tracking delivery.

Merton Council offers excellent holiday entitlement and a competitive salary along with and a Local Government Pension Scheme.

We are situated in the Merton Civic Centre, opposite to Morden Underground Station which is on the Northern Line. We are also a 10 minutes' walk from Morden Road Tram Stop and both Morden South and South Merton Railway Stations.

We are also near Wimbledon which is part of The London Borough of Merton.

Interviews to take place on the 25th and 28th April 2023.