Policy Adviser Local Government Pensions

We are MHCLG

Do you want to work at the centre of a pensions scheme that is leading the way in equality, fairness and protections for key local government workers?

Can you analyse evidence, improve processes, understand legislation and work with varied stakeholders to provide a quality service?

The Member Benefits team is looking for 1 x HEO Policy Adviser to join the Local Government Pensions team in the Local Tax and Pensions division. As part of the wider Local Government Finance Directorate, you will work in an area of increasing complexity and importance during a time of significant reforms. The role is an excellent fit for anyone looking to tackle complex technical policy areas and processes, whilst managing varied stakeholders in and out of government, and deliver a quality service to our many local government stakeholders.

The team is a diverse range of individuals passionate about the difference central government can make to working individuals in the UK. We have grown significantly in the last 12 months and own a mixture of new and existing policy areas and processes. The successful candidate will own processes as the departmental lead, be involved in wider team policy development work, and flex across the Local Government Pensions team as needed.

The role holder will own a number of processes that the Member Benefits team has responsibility for. To do that, the role holder will have to be comfortable working in the detail of legislation and developing a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape of the Local Government Pension Scheme. The role requires confidence in decision-making and leadership, as the role holder will be the recognised external lead for the processes. The role also requires excellent organisational skills and the ability to work on multiple workstreams at once, as the many processes require concurrent running. The role holder will also be involved in the wider consultation and legislation work that the Member Benefits team owns. This work encompasses a range of policies that improve and promote fairness, equality, protections and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Over time, the role holder will be involved with all stages of the policy cycle. Currently, the team is working on secondary legislation to implement policies consulted on in 2025/26, with a pipeline of work planned until 1 April 2027. Typical work here would be analysing consultation responses, identifying and resolving policy issues, working with OGDs and external stakeholders to gather support and evidence for options, and presenting decisions to ministers. Finally, the role holder will be expected to work across the wider Local Government Pensions team to assist in the overriding monitoring and reporting work that the team undertakes.

Track record of delivering multiple priority workstreams concurrently

Willingness to tackle technical detail and processes

Desire to work on policy, both as an individual lead and broader team support

Strong communication skills, with the ability to understand external stakeholder needs, negotiate, and communicate difficult messages with clarity

Attention to detail in both individual research and external communication (understanding and explaining complex processes and legislation to non-expert audiences)