Jobs

Sorry, there are no active vacancies

Our mission 

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future. 

To do this, we’re changing Islington by putting the voices and views of our community at the heart of our work. Our relentless focus on tackling inequality, includes shifting the council’s own culture and approach. We want the council to mirror the community in terms of diversity of culture, character and thought. 

To achieve our ambitions and change the future, we need a dedicated and empowered community of colleagues. No matter what job role, everyone at Islington Council is appreciated and recognised. 

Our many and varied careers, voices, skills and experiences are shared through the connections we make as individuals experiencing life in Islington. We have staff networks which bring us closer together regardless of age or profession, and an annual awards scheme to recognise each other’s strengths. 

We’re investing more in training than ever before, enabling you to develop personally and professionally. And over half of our vacancies are filled by colleagues taking on new challenges and promotions. Careers span from apprenticeships through to the chief executive with over 5,000 of us creating inclusive culture which celebrates equity. 

We know that the creativity, innovation and leadership we’ll need to tackle the challenges ahead will come from our people. Join Islington council and together we can change the future.
 

Our values 

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here is able to thrive. To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Hear more about our mission and how you can help us achieve it from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Kaya Comer-Scwartz. 

Join us and help to create a more equal Islington

Why work for us

Benefits and work-life balance

We offer excellent benefits such as:

  • Up to 28 days annual leave per year (increasing to 33 days after five years of local government service)
     
  • In addition to annual leave, the council grants 3 privilege days which must be taken during the Christmas and New Year period as the council stipulates.
     
  • 35-hour working week
     
  • A range of flexible working arrangements
     
  • Excellent pension scheme with a new Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution (Shared Cost AVC) employee benefit scheme.
     
  • Competitive pay – and a commitment to paying all staff and apprentices the London Living Wage
     
  • Annual season ticket loan
     
  • Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
     
  • Payroll giving
     
  • Smart tech/white goods incentive scheme
     
  • Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more

We were among the first employers to be awarded the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard and are an accredited London Living Wage employer. We were also one of the first London councils to receive the Timewise Council award for our commitment to flexible working.


Opportunities to learn and grow

We know how important learning and development is to maximise your potential.

Our development programmes include a management diploma, leadership skills programme for emerging leaders, and tailored opportunities to suit you, whether that’s through job shadowing or coaching.

We also offer a dedicated learning platform for staff where you can find learning modules, resources and workshops.


An inclusive workplace

We can't achieve our mission of creating a more equal Islington, without creating an inclusive workplace. We are challenging inequality in our workplace through:

  • Career development programmes, designed especially for staff under-represented at management and leadership levels.
  • A diverse recruitment scheme, which supports staff to apply for opportunities, ensures our job roles are advertised on specialist job platforms promoting to diverse communities and that our recruitment panels are diverse.
  • Safe spaces for Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff to share concerns and get support.
    Training for all staff on equality, diversity and inclusion, gender identity and expression, and unconscious bias.
  • Staff forums for LGBTQ+, disabled and Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff, women and carers, who feedback their views and provide peer support.
  • Regular events to celebrate our diverse workforce and raise awareness throughout the year.

Our Islington Promise 

Relentlessly tackle inequality by enshrining this value in everything we do – from waste collection to social work to community events

Always be on your side by putting our residents first, listening and working together to make a tangible difference to lives and livelihoods in Islington

Be bolder and more innovative by testing new service models that help to break down barriers and create new opportunities beyond what has always been done

Provide accessible help and support which works for all – and where it doesn’t, we will make changes so that no one ever faces barriers in accessing what they need

Invest in the local economy by supporting local businesses to flourish and brokering jobs and opportunities for the good of local people.


Islington Council’s priorities 

  • We have set ourselves five missions to create a more equal future for Islington by 2030.

  • Achieving our shared ambition for a more equal future is not just about what we do, but how we do it. We can only bring about the change we all care so deeply about through a collective endeavour with local businesses, other public services, residents and community organisations.

  • It is only by working together that we can create a more equal future in Islington. For each of these missions, we will keep challenging ourselves to do better with and for our residents.

  • In tackling inequality, we will focus on:

  • Poverty and affordability - Making sure everyone has the financial means to access what they need for a good life.

  • Quality of life - Making sure everyone has the resources to live, learn, work and spend time in nurturing. environments.

  • Power and influence - Making sure everyone has a real say over decisions that affect them and their communities.

Meet the team

Council Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz
Leader

First elected to the council in 2013 to represent Junction ward, Cllr Comer-Schwartz became Deputy Leader in 2020. She has served on the council’s Executive for six years, most recently as Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families and prior to that as Executive Member for Community Development. Before joining the council’s Executive, Cllr Comer-Schwartz worked in the charity sector, including roles at Centre for Mental Health, Shelter and The Women’s Library.
 

Victoria Lawson
Chief Executive

Islington Council's Chief Executive leads and takes responsibility for the work of the staff that run the local authority on a day to day basis, providing over 600 local services. As principal policy adviser, the Chief Executive ensures that central government legislation is translated and implemented locally through policy planning, reporting arrangements and strong performance management systems. Victoria Lawson started as Chief Executive on 8 January 2024. Before taking up this role, Victoria was Executive Director of Environment, Culture and Customer Services at Hounslow Council, and was an Executive Director there since July 2019. She also held several other corporate leadership positions at Hounslow, and was the Chair of the London Environment Directors Network.   
 

Stephen Biggs
Corporate Director – Community Wealth Building

I work in local government and with its partners to deliver better outcomes for local communities and businesses.

Currently Corporate Director, Community Wealth Building, leading a directorate designed to tackle economic inequality, shape an inclusive local economy, and build new council homes & transform community assets. Having previously helped to transform Waltham Forest Council's Families & Homes Directorate, following an initial engagement to deliver a digital services and business support programme. Before that, Interim CEO of Hoople, a unique public sector owned company providing support services to local public services organisations across Herefordshire and beyond.
 

Steven Caplan
Interim Director - Corporate Landlord and New Homes Delivery

Steve is a highly experienced property leader having worked at a number local authorities in a Director capacity leading property functions. Prior to this Steve has said as a Regional and Board Director for a number of multinational companies.  He feels strongly that the opportunities that exist at Islington Council are truly exciting and will provide the successful candidate the opportunity to lead on some career defining work.