Development Viability Advisor

Development Viability Advisor

Job reference number: 045213

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £63,218 - £75,750 per annum (a higher salary may be available for exceptional candidates)

Grade: 11 – 12

Closing date: 25 March 2024 at 23:59.

Interview date: Week commencing 8 April 2024 (subject to change).

The GLA is recruiting for a Development Viability Advisor within the Mayor’s expert Viability Team. This is a unique opportunity to:

• Join a higher performing, dedicated and supportive team in GLA Planning and Regeneration working at the interplay between strategic policy and developments across London.
• Use your expertise and experience, preferably in large scale residential and mixed-use developments to provide expert advice on affordable housing, developer contributions and viability.
• Work at the frontline of affordable housing delivery within the planning and development system using your negotiation skills and track record of success in either the public or private sectors to help address London’s housing crisis.

Principal accountabilities

• You will advise the Mayor of London working alongside other members of the Planning and Viability Teams on strategic planning applications and related policy and guidance.
• You will draw on your skills, knowledge and experience to inform the assessment of viability and support the delivery of affordable housing and sustainable development across London.
• You will work with teams across the GLA and the wider sector to implement the Mayor’s policies and promote best practice across the public, private and community sectors.

If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact John Wacher at john.wacher@london.gov.uk to arrange a call.

Please note, all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a supporting statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your supporting statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and supporting statement documents 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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience of affordable housing delivery in London including negotiating affordable housing and review mechanisms in S106 agreements.
• Successful experience of applying technical viability expertise to strategic planning applications, planning obligation negotiations, and planning policies.
• Capacity to undertake, test and resolve disputes on viability assessments personally, through training in-house staff and by procuring specialist external advice.
• Possession of a degree in surveying or planning and/or a post graduate qualification with eligibility for Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors or Royal Town Planning Institute membership, or equivalent and post qualification experience in viability, planning and development negotiations.

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 three indicators of effective performance:

• Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives.
• Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities.
• Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict.
• Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect.
• Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership.

Stakeholder focus…is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Understands diverse stakeholder needs and tailors team deliverables accordingly.
• Is a role model to others, encouraging them to think of Londoners first. Manages stakeholder expectations, so they are high but realistic.
• Removes barriers to understanding the needs of diverse stakeholders, including hard to reach groups.
• Focuses own and team’s efforts on delivering a quality and committed service.

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (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.

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.

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.

Application closing date: 25 March 2024 at 23:59.

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check. Please note, some roles may require additional security screening.