Communities Policy Lead

Overview

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is recruiting a Communities Policy Lead to contribute to the Pride in Place Strategy—a government initiative aimed at empowering deprived neighborhoods across Great Britain through substantial funding and support. This role involves shaping community power from the grassroots and ensuring alignment with high-level governmental priorities. The position spans locations such as Bristol, Darlington, London, Manchester, and Wolverhampton, and forms part of a dynamic environment working on impactful policy, legislation, and funding projects relating to communities and high streets.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and advancing the ministerial agendas for communities and high streets.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of primary and secondary legislation connected to these policy areas.
• Work closely with analytical teams to evaluate evidence and apply foundational economic theory to inform community and high street strategies.
• Prepare detailed, accurate briefings, correspondence, and advice for Ministers, senior officials, and the Prime Minister's office on various cross-cutting neighborhood and high street issues.
• Manage official and ministerial engagement with external stakeholders, integrating expert input into policy development.

Required Skills and Attributes

• Proactive self-starter with capability to lead policy formulation or project delivery independently and effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, able to simplify complex issues and adapt messaging to diverse audiences including senior leaders and ministers.
• Strong collaborator who builds productive relationships both within and outside the department to coordinate multifaceted projects.
• Flexible and resilient, adept at juggling multiple responsibilities and maintaining high-quality outputs under pressure.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers an annual salary of 58,092, complemented by a 16,829 contribution toward the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. MHCLG provides additional benefits such as flexible working arrangements, tailored career development pathways, childcare vouchers, cycle-to-work schemes, and access to the MyLifestyle Staff Benefits Scheme.

Recruitment and Selection Process

The application process is conducted in two phases: a sift evaluating behavioral competencies (Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing) followed by a remote video interview. Applicants will be required to deliver a 5-minute presentation related to strategic perspectives. The department follows equal opportunity principles and is a Disability Confident employer.

Eligibility and Security Clearance

• Open to UK nationals, Irish nationals, right-to-work Commonwealth citizens, nationals from EU/EEA/Swiss countries with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, individuals with appropriate leave to remain, and certain Turkish nationals.
• Successful candidates must obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard clearance, including criminal record and counter-terrorist checks as required.

Additional Information

Applicants should comply with the Civil Service Code of conduct and the department's recruitment guidelines. Use of artificial intelligence as a tool in applications is permitted only when submissions are factual, truthful, and personally derived experience. MHCLG is committed to diversity, equality, and offers reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities. This position can be based remotely and involves working in a fast-paced policy environment with high governmental visibility.