Policy Director for KL

Do you have the impact and political acumen to move the municipalities' agenda right into the national political machinery? As KL's new political chief, you will open doors, translate strong relationships and alliances into concrete political results, and provide leadership direction for KL's Policy Unit. You will be KL's clear driving force in the collaboration with Christiansborg and the main actor in ensuring that the municipalities' perspectives gain real influence.

The position as political chief is a newly created office head role with direct reporting to KL's CEO. You will lead currently four talented colleagues, whom you will head, while you yourself will lead in converting strategy into concrete political results on behalf of the municipalities.

Political advocacy is central to KL's strategy, and as political chief you will have a key role in translating the ambitions of the strategy into concrete results. You must bring KL closer to decision-makers so that the municipalities' perspectives are even stronger. This requires the ability to build new alliances and partnerships while also seeing to removing barriers that stand in the way of implementing solutions. You already have a strong network at Christiansborg and can translate it into ensuring that KL stays ahead of political agendas.

Political acumen, relationships and leadership

We are seeking a political chief who can both read the political landscape, translate strategic direction, and be actively present where relationships and political opportunities are created. At the same time, we are looking for a leader who can take the lead in coordinating and strengthening KL's overall advocacy.

KL's Policy Unit was established in March 2025 and aims to strengthen KL's political advocacy, support the board and management, and build stronger relations with Christiansborg and other key decision-makers.

Your responsibilities will include

• Develop and translate KL's political priorities and strategy for advocacy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Parliament's parties, the government, ministries and other key actors.
• Strengthen KL's collaboration across Christiansborg through systematic work with networks and alliances and bring the political agendas back to KL and the municipalities.
• Ensure that the secretariat's and municipalities' knowledge, experiences and data are actively brought into the political processes, early identify political opportunities and risks, and translate them into clear recommendations and actions.
• Coordinate political processes across KL and create coherence between professional agendas and the overarching advocacy.
• Develop and set the direction for KL's Policy Unit and create good frameworks for high professionalism, collaboration and development in close and trusting interaction.

About you

We are seeking a chief with strong political understanding and strategic impact. You have experience with political strategy and advocacy and know the workings closely to the central political decision-makers. You understand the dynamics between government, Parliament, municipalities and civil society and know how relationships, timing and political craft are translated into influence and results.

You have probably built your experience at the intersection of politics, central administration and advocacy, in a political or strategic role. We are looking for someone who has a strong network and good political judgment and has experience as, for example, a special advisor, political chief, secretariat head at Christiansborg, from a consultancy or from a senior strategic role in a ministry or an interest organization.

As a leader you can translate strategy into concrete initiatives. You are a skilled people manager who can act operationally, lead the way and set an example with good practices.

We offer

You will have a central leadership position in an organization with high political and societal significance. You will have the opportunity to influence KL's advocacy and contribute to ensuring that the municipalities' shared perspectives prevail in the national political processes. You will become part of a leadership group and an organization where active and credible advocacy, high professional standards and close collaboration with the municipalities are at the core of the work.

The small print

Does this sound like the right job for you? Then send us your application no later than Monday, October 19 at 08:00.

We anticipate conducting the first interviews in week 43 and the second interviews in week 44.

We use tests and cases as part of the recruitment process, and references are collected prior to employment.

The hiring committee consists of CEO Kristian Vendelbo, Chief Economist Morten Mandøe and Deputy Director Ida Thuesen Nielsen. The hiring process is conducted with great respect for confidentiality.

If you have questions about the position, you are welcome to contact Deputy Director Omer Ciric at telephone 20 26 52 01. If you need to discuss in confidence whether you could be a match for the position, you are welcome to contact Kristian Vendelbo at telephone 25 26 41 51.

Salary and terms of employment follow the relevant collective agreement with the possibility to negotiate allowances based on your qualifications.

Read the detailed background note here: Detailed background on the position of political chief for KL https://recruiter.hr-manager.net/Export/Attachments/ViewFileManagerDocument.aspx?id=cfc4e76a-35a5-4d18-bdb2-c70ed1274c21&cid=1722

KL is the interest and member organization for the 98 municipal councils in Denmark. KL contributes to developing and maintaining a strong local democracy. KL represents the municipalities' common interests and is their collective negotiating organization, knowledge center and forum for joint initiatives and decisions.

KL sees diversity in the workforce and in the leadership as one of our strengths and encourages all interested regardless of personal background to apply for our vacant positions.

Visit our KL Career Universe and learn more about us as an employer and colleagues. https://www.kl.dk/karriereunivers/forside