Principal Strategy Adviser - Portsmouth

Principal Strategy Adviser - Portsmouth, PO1 2AL, United Kingdom

Job Category: Project ManagementRegion / Division: UK RegionLocation: Civic Offices, PortsmouthWorking Hours: 37

Fixed term until 31st March 2028 due to Local Government Reorganisation

If you're an experienced policy, strategy or partnership professional looking for a role where your expertise will genuinely shape the future of a city, this is an exceptional opportunity. Working at the heart of the council, you'll help deliver major strategic priorities while collaborating with senior leaders, partners and stakeholders across the region.

Your new role

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working at the heart of strategic decision-making and delivering meaningful change. As a Principal Strategy Adviser, you will provide expert policy advice and strategic support to senior leaders and elected Members, helping to shape priorities and inform key decisions. Working across the council and with a wide range of partners, you will lead or support research, policy development, governance and partnership activity, translating complex national policy and legislation into practical local action. Approximately half of your time will be dedicated to supporting Local Government Reorganisation activities, alongside either coordinating strategic programmes and partnerships or driving corporate performance, governance and improvement initiatives. You will build strong relationships across organisational boundaries, develop reports and recommendations for senior audiences, represent the council in partnership forums, and help secure positive outcomes for Portsmouth residents through effective collaboration, strategic planning and programme delivery.

Who is the person summary:

We're looking for an accomplished policy and strategy professional with a degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience) and a strong understanding of local and national policy and its impact on local government. You'll have a proven track record of providing strategic advice to senior stakeholders, undertaking complex research and policy analysis, and developing successful funding bids and partnership initiatives. Confident working in politically sensitive environments, you'll be skilled at building relationships, influencing and negotiating with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected Members, senior leaders and external partners. With excellent communication skills, you'll be able to translate complex information into clear, evidence-based recommendations, manage competing priorities, facilitate productive discussions, and support informed decision-making in a fast-paced and high-profile setting.

For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.Learn more about our values and behaviours .

Additional Information

Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office minimum 2 days a week (pro rata for part time), this remains flexible, depending on the role and subject to business needs.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Our recruitment process

Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we have a large number of applications.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found atEquality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your personal statement on the application.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact or call the recruitment team on .