Pay level: 6 Salary: Starting from £35,378 per annum inclusive of Local Weighting Allowance Contract Type: 1 Year Fixed Term Contract (reviewed annually) Working Hours: 37 hours per week Location: Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road, Slough, SL1 2EL (Hybrid) Closing date for applications is midnight on 18th April 2025. We are looking to recruit a capable and enthusiastic Political Group Officer to support the Independent Group of Councillors at Slough Borough Council to operate effectively. You will provide effective and efficient political, policy and administrative support and advice for Group members and will act as a liaison between Group members, officers and relevant external stakeholders You will need to build and manage relationships with Members and senior officers and work under the direction of the Group Leadership/Executive to proactively manage, plan and prioritise the work of the Group Office. The key duties of the role include: Prepare briefings and research for councillors and undertake special projects on behalf of the Leader and Group. To prepare speeches and other public comment for use across local media and social media channels on behalf of the Leader and Group. To deal with press and media enquiries relating to the Group and to liaise with the council’s corporate media team where appropriate. To build and maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders including council officers, external organisations, other local authorities, MPs and members of the public, on matters relevant to the Group and its policies. The postholder must have excellent interpersonal skills, show discretion and have political awareness. You will need to be flexible and proactive, able to manage competing priorities under pressure. The successful candidate is likely to have previous research experience (preferably in local government); experience of dealing with elected members, senior officers and the public; and practical experience/knowledge of local government services. You will be supporting Members at relevant Group, Council and committee meetings which are usually held in the evenings. We support flexible working and there will be opportunities to work remotely at times, subject to the support needs of the Group. Our Council: Our vision is to make a difference to our communities and our environment and we would love you to join us in our mission All of our employees, whatever their job, contribute greatly to delivering services to local people - either directly, or by supporting colleagues. We celebrate diversity and are continuously striving for our residents to enjoy fulfilling prosperous and healthy lives. What we offer: We offer a supportive place to grow and develop your career with a real opportunity for your input to be valued and heard. Ambition and innovation will be required now more than ever and you will join a friendly and collaborative environment where you are encouraged to thrive. Annual increments, where applicable, are usually payable on 1st April each year, subject to six months service in the post, until the maximum spinal column point of the level has been reached. The payment of annual increments is not automatic and is subject to satisfactory performance as assessed by your Director. Alongside a competitive salary, we provide: 26 days annual leave (not including Bank holidays), rising to 30 days between 2 - 5 years’ service and 33 days after 5 years’ service. The Local Government Pension Scheme We offer a wider range of great benefits including: Flexible and hybrid working options to promote work-life balance Our commitment to equality and diversity through a range of employee networks Wellbeing initiatives Tax - free childcare and childcare services Season loan ticket - to help with the cost of your rail / bus journey to & from work. Right to Work: All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK. If you require sponsorship, please contact Recruitmentslough.gov.uk before submitting an application. Interested? For an informal discussion about the post please contact Colin Sweeney on Colin.Sweeneyslough.gov.uk We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If appointed, all posts will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks. Slough Borough Council is an inclusive employer and we encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We select staff on merit and we foster a workforce where people are valued, and represents the local communities that we serve. Slough Borough Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We want our application process to be open and accessible. If you wish to make your application in an alternative format, please email Recruitmentslough.gov.uk quoting the job reference – our Accessibility Statement has more information. How to Apply: Please click on the apply button below to submit your application. We look forward to hearing from you Join our team at Slough Borough Council and help accelerate our journey of transformation and growth The Council reserves the right to close adverts early should we receive a number of suitable applications.