The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.
About the team
The London Plan and Strategic Planning Team is totally unique and you can be a part of it. Through the London Plan we shape the growth of London as a whole, influencing every aspect of how the capital develops, supporting its economic growth, addressing inequality, promoting a healthier London, and creating a more environmentally sustainable city. We think long-term and big picture – without taking our eye off the detail. As part of implementing the London Plan, we respond on behalf of the Mayor to ensure that local plans are in general conformity with the London Plan.
The London Plan and Strategic Planning Team is a friendly and inclusive team. We welcome and support our new staff to make sure they become an effective member of our team, helping them to grow and develop, not only to meet their responsibilities but also to help meet their own professional career aspirations.
About the role
There is currently a role on offer in the team reviewing local plans. As a Senior/ Principal Strategic Planner within the team you may be expected to work across teams contributing to a variety of different functions.
In the role on offer, you’ll be a key member of the GLA’s Planning and Regeneration department. You will primarily be implementing the London Plan through the Mayor’s role in reviewing Local Plans to ensure they are in general conformity with the London Plan, engaging with the London boroughs and collaborating on emerging local policy and supporting the Mayor’s own plan-making as we work towards preparing the next London Plan.
You will be working with a rich variety of stakeholders, tapping into their knowledge while advocating for the aims of the GLA. At other times you could be working with experts from across the GLA and TfL who are spearheading innovative projects and strategies.
This is an opportunity to be part of a dynamic and supportive team. You will need a keen eye for detail while also being able to understand the bigger strategic picture, understanding how regional policy will shape London to meet and deliver the Mayor’s Good Growth objectives.
This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL)
What your day will look like
• You will be working as part of a small team to review borough local plans and draft briefings and consultation responses, setting out the Mayor’s opinion on general conformity with the London Plan.
• You will advise boroughs on wide range of London Plan policy, providing guidance and support to address general conformity issues and bring borough Local Plans into closer alignment with the London Plan. The role may occasionally require attendance at examination hearings to represent the Mayor.
• You will develop, build and manage relationships with colleagues in the London Plan and Strategic Planning team where your position sits, and more widely across the GLA and TfL, to ensure alignment with policy area leads and development management colleagues in your advice to boroughs.
• You will regularly brief and update the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Fire Safety on borough Local Plan and general conformity matters.
Skills, knowledge and experience
To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:
• Possession of a degree in planning or a related discipline, or post-graduate qualification with eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute, and good post-qualification professional experience in planning within a similar organisation.
• Detailed knowledge and comprehensive understanding of national, regional and London strategic planning and development issues and trends, legal processes and sound knowledge of local planning issues and processes.
• Good track record of giving high-level professional advice on complex and/or sensitive issues at a senior level and ability to communicate effectively through clear and persuasive, oral and written presentations to a range of different audiences.
Behavioural competencies
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
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
