Post: Senior Public Affairs Manager
Salary: £56,071 per annum
Grade: FRS F
Salary range: £56,071 – £72,807 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Application closing date: 4 PM on Wednesday 1 October 2026
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is London’s fire and rescue service – one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world. We are here to make London a safer city. Employing over 5000 people across our operational team (our firefighters), control (our call handlers who answer 999 calls), fire safety and our non-operational team (our team who work behind the scenes to support our front-line services, which includes Fleet, IT, HR, Finance, Procurement, Communications team and many more).
The Public Affairs team is responsible for building and maintaining effective relationships with LFB’s external political stakeholders as well as successfully influencing political and regulatory decision making and legislation. Working as part the wider External Communications team within the Communications directorate, this is an exciting time to join as we start to deliver a refreshed Communications strategy with public affairs playing a central role.
This is a senior position within the team which will be responsible for the design and delivery of public affairs campaigns and responding to the statutory scrutiny the Brigade receives. You will be an all-around public affairs professional, comfortable in building relationships with external stakeholders including MP’s, ministers and London Assembly Members, as well as operating with credibility in briefing LFB’s most senior leaders, including the London Fire Commissioner and their executive team.
The successful applicant will be willing to contribute in a variety of ways including written briefings, political monitoring, events management and proactive outreach to stakeholders following an incident. They will be able to balance thinking strategically around campaign activity, while also helping to respond to an extensive range of business-as-usual work.
This is a rare permanent opportunity to be a key member of a Public Affairs team making a difference to London and the UK every day.
Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description, salary range or the full advert, please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs-london-fire-gov-uk.jobsmarket.site/pages/en-gb/jobs to access the full advert.
Please note: Our application system has recently changed.
After you submit your application, you’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your email address. This is a quick security step and is required for your application to be successfully submitted.
Once you’ve confirmed your email address, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know we’ve received your application. This email will also include your applicant number for future reference.
If you’ve submitted your application but haven’t received the email acknowledging receipt of your application, please check that you’ve confirmed your email address as soon as possible and before the closing date. Look out for an email from our recruitment system with a confirmation link. If you can’t see it, please check your junk or spam folder and add the sender to your safe senders list.
Assessment Overview
Stage 1
To apply, please complete the online application, upload a copy of your up-to-date CV and provide evidence to address the following selection criteria:
1. Develop and lead impactful and evidence-led public affairs campaigns in support of the wider communication strategy and other LFB priorities. Build relationships and work with both internal and external stakeholders to deliver these campaigns.
2. As needed, lead the briefing of senior leaders in advance of key scrutiny events such as the London Assembly Fire Committee, London Assembly Plenary and parliamentary committee appearances. This would include both written materials and in-person pre-briefings.
3. Utilising in-depth public affairs knowledge, expand the team’s political monitoring and analysis offer, ensuring internal stakeholders are informed of relevant news and information and advised on how best to respond.
4. Proactively build relationships with relevant political stakeholders including London Assembly Members and their teams, London MPs and GLA and government officials. Be able to autonomously build and manage these relationships.
Please note that we will score the evidence you provide based on the competencies listed in the selection criteria above.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend stage 2.
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.
Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.
Stage 2
Assessment for this role is due to take place in mid- October. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
Additional Information
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Anyone who has contact with children, young people or adults at risk will be subject to an enhanced DBS check as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
Benefits of working for the London Fire Brigade
• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year
• Family (including maternity) leave and emergency support leave
• Hybrid working is available, subject to business need.
• Free access to the Brigade gym
• Use of the Brigade’s Medical Adviser/physios/fitness advisers
• Free counselling
• Season ticket loan
• Join social networks including our Equality Support Groups
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff discount scheme including access to Blue Light Card retail and hospitality discounts
• Opportunity to access affordable accommodation
Criminal records check
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a Standard criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory.