Senior Design Officer

Interview date: Week beginning 7 October 2024

Good Growth

Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport and economic strategies and for the effective implementation of the London Plan. The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

About the team

Looking for a meaningful role where you can work collaboratively to address the range of challenges affecting London?

Come and play your part in shaping the future of London, working as part of the brilliant team of professionals who lead on implementing best practice in architecture and urbanism, and work with the Mayor’s Good Growth by Design programme to enhance the design of the built environment.

About the role

This is a key role in the new Design Unit, within Planning and Regeneration, which will drive excellence in design across, and beyond, the GLA Group. You’ll contribute to our wider remit to support the development and delivery of the London Plan across spatial scales.

You’ll provide expert advice on, and support the development of research, strategies, programmes and policies to promote world class architecture, sustainable and inclusive design in London’s buildings, public spaces and urban fabric in line with Mayoral priorities.

You’ll do this through a variety of methods, including design review, procurement to support the development of projects and initiatives through the wider Good Growth by Design programme.

This role provides a unique opportunity for a talented individual with an ability to combine strategic thinking with practical capabilities.

What your day will look like

As part of the Design Unit:

• You’ll provide advice and ensure best practice, working collaboratively with Development Management, the Place Unit, and other teams within the GLA and the wider GLA Group, to promote world class architecture, sustainable and inclusive design in London’s buildings, public spaces and urban fabric.
• You’ll work in line with Mayoral priorities and through a variety of methods including design review and the Good Growth by Design programme.
• You’ll lead on test strategies to build capacity within the built environment sector, like managing and evaluating the Town Architect Pilot in collaboration with the Place Unit and Boroughs; and steering the development of the practice support programme which is being delivered in partnership with the London School of Architecture and Crown Estate.
• You’ll manage the London Review Panel - the Mayor’s design review service - to scrutinise development against best practice and The Mayor’s Good Growth agenda.
• You’ll lead on the operation of the A+U Framework, work successfully with a range of internal and external stakeholders including boroughs, housing associations and public organisations within London and beyond.
• You’ll work closely with our cohort of Mayor’s Design Advocates, deploying their expertise to develop City Hall’s thinking through research and evidence gathering; bolster London’s design review capacity; and advocate for Good Growth across the sector.
• You’ll present reports to senior management, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor directly, so you will need excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Qualification in town planning, architecture, urban design or relevant professional experience as a senior planner within a similar organisation or business environment
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of national, regional and London strategic planning, development and placeshaping issues and trends
• Good understanding of public procurement principles and practice.
• Evidence of using analytical skills to support the scoping and delivery of design research projects.
• Well-developed IT skills and experience of using project management, financial management and design software packages.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria and competencies outlined in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format only and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g. “CV – applicant name - 012345)

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Job Description

Principal Accountabilities

• As part of the work of the Design Unit:

a. Provide advice and ensure best practice by working collaboratively with other teams to promote world class architecture, sustainable and inclusive design in London’s buildings, public spaces and urban fabric in line with Mayoral priorities.
b. Work through a variety of methods including the London Review Panel, A+U Framework, and the Good Growth by Design programme to promote high quality design in accordance with the Mayor’s Good Growth agenda.
c. Work closely with our cohort of Mayor’s Design Advocates, deploying their expertise to develop City Hall’s thinking through research and evidence gathering; bolster London’s design review capacity; and advocate for Good Growth across the sector.
d. Contribute to and support the development and implementation of the Spatial Development Strategy, related supplementary planning guidance, other Mayor’s strategies, policies masterplans and planning frameworks in line with Mayoral priorities and GLA decision making frameworks, working closely with other teams including the Spatial Development Team, London Plan & Spatial Strategies Team and Development Management Team.

2. Lead or contribute to briefings reports and responses for and on behalf of the Mayor, Assembly and other organisations on planning and spatial development and other complex issues.

3. Lead or contribute to the initiation, design, management and completion of relevant policy development projects and research.

4. Lead or contribute to coordination, liaison and engagement processes necessary to address spatial development and planning issues.

5. Liaise and work with GLA group staff and external organisations including boroughs, partnerships, consultancies, academic and voluntary agencies to address the Mayor’s planning and spatial development concerns.

6. Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.

7. Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work and participate in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project team.

Person specification

Technical requirements/qualifications/experience

• Qualification in town planning, architecture, urban design and relevant professional experience as a senior planner within a similar organisation or business environment
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of national, regional and London strategic planning, development and placeshaping issues and trends
• Good understanding of public procurement principles and practice.
• Evidence of using analytical skills to support the scoping and delivery of design research projects.
• Well-developed IT skills and experience of using project management, financial management and design software packages.

BUILDING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS
… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Develops new professional relationships
• Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement
• Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action
• Fosters an environment where others feel respected
• Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals

COMMUNICATING AND INFLUENCING
… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders
• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication
• Persuades others, using evidence based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively
• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way
• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally

PLANNING AND ORGANISING
… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met

PROBLEM SOLVING
… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

RESPONDING TO PRESSURE AND CHANGE
… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure
• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements
• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve
• Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives
• Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.

The role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (169 Union Street SE1 0LL)

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

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