Head Of Design Unit

Looking for a meaningful role where you can work collaboratively to embed good design and address a range of challenges affecting London?

Come and play your part in shaping the future of London by leading the brilliant team of professionals in the newly established Design Unit within GLA Planning and Regeneration. You will lead this new team to drive excellence in design across, and beyond, the GLA Group, as part of the remit to support the development and delivery of the London Plan and embed good growth across London. 

In this role you would lead on delivering design advice with respect to the use of the Mayoral planning powers, through policy and development management, to promote quality, sustainability, and inclusion in the built environment. You will ensure quality and inclusion where the Mayor is investing in the built environment and will also be a key advocate for quality and inclusion with public sector commissioners more broadly.

You will manage a team of specialists who lead on implementing the London Plan policies through considering referred planning applications and promoting the use of Design Reviews. You will lead the Mayor’s Good Growth by Design programme to enhance the design of the built environment and will optimise the use of the Mayor’s convening power to promote quality and inclusion through stakeholder and partnership development and advocacy with the sector.

Principal accountabilities

1. Establish and lead the work of the Design Unit - driving the delivery of excellence in design working across the GLA family and with boroughs, stakeholders, and the industry.
2. To oversee the overall work programme, the staffing, financial and other resources of the team and to ensure the most effective use of these resources consistent with GLA policy, priorities, and decisions on levels of service to be provided, and relevant legislation; and, in particular, to
   1. Prioritise, programme, allocate and monitor the progress of, work and ensure performance targets are met
   2. Establish service level expectations / agreements with key teams and manage delivery against these, achieving satisfactory quality and efficiency  
   3. Oversee budgets and leverage and manage appropriate sources of funding 
   4. Undertake recruitment, training needs assessment, training having due regard to the need to provide for career development and equal opportunities 
   5. Ensure that all staff management and performance processes are carried out efficiently
   6. Ensure that there is a clearly understood scheme of delegation and lead responsibilities in the team
   7. Supervise and support the work and performance of the team
3. Promote and lead continuous service improvement, research, and innovation. Steer the development of the GLA family’s approach to excellence in design and the continuing evolution of the Design Unit and its programme of work.
4. Collaborate closely with the Head of Regeneration and Growth Strategies and oversee the development of research, strategies, programmes, and policies to promote world class architecture, sustainability, viability and inclusive design in London’s buildings, public spaces and urban fabric in line with Mayoral priorities. Manage a variety of methods including design review, the operation of the A+ U Framework, deployment of Mayoral Design Advocates and the wider Good Growth by Design programme. 
5. Collaborate closely with the Head of London Plan & Strategic Planning in supporting key aspects of the Mayor’s Good Growth principles, the London Plan, associated strategic documents, and guidance documents.
6. Collaborate closely with the Head of Development Management and Viability in providing a high standard of advice and support for the team, and to have an understanding / experience of planning processes and requirements and ability to ensure robust evidence into inquiries.
7. To provide effective advice at senior levels within the GLA and to external organisations. 
8. Work as part of the wider leadership team within Planning & Regeneration, helping lead the Unit.
9. Represent GLA and the Mayor at a senior level internally and externally, including with the Assembly, boroughs, central Government, the sector and ensure the delivery of high quality and timely materials and responses to relevant press inquiries.
10. Ensure effective leadership of the team and a positive inclusive culture, including staff and resource management; participation in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams; support for development and career progression in accordance with the GLA’s policies and code of ethic and standards, including health and safety.
11. 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.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

1. Possession of a relevant degree or post-graduate qualification; and extensive post qualification experience in urban design, architecture, planning or related team or department with extensive leadership or management experience – of people / programmes.
2. Good project and budget management skills and experience, including for multi-agency projects.
3. Excellent people management and inter-personal skills, including demonstrable experience of leading and motivating internal and external staff to deliver.
4. Evidence of ability to project-manage a complex workload with conflicting demands in order to deliver results on budget and to timetable.
5. Thorough understanding and working knowledge of issues, legislation and processes relevant to the job, and creative, problem-solving skills.
6. Tried and tested communication skills, including the ability to ensure the delivery of effective presentations, clear and concise briefings and reports on complex issues to a range of audiences.
7. An understanding of how the GLA’s wish to take a strategic lead in combating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity throughout London can be enhanced and supported by this role.
8. Experience or demonstrable ability to work at high level in a complex political environment and to command confidence.
9. Demonstrable success in building productive working relationships and working flexibly across professional and operational boundaries.

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 4 indicators of effective performance

• Identifies and engages a diverse range of influential contacts within stakeholder and community groups, and partner organisations 
• Builds alliances to establish mutually beneficial working arrangements, openly sharing knowledge and insights
• Actively challenges and addresses ‘silo attitudes’ to encourage effective relationship-building inside and outside the GLA
• Understands the complexities of political dynamics and uses this to manage relationships and resolve conflict effectively
• Identifies clear win-win situations with external partners

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 4 indicators of effective performance

• Articulates self with credibility and conviction, encouraging buy-in to corporate position
• Influences the thinking of other organisations, encouraging them to deliver with the GLA 
• Ensures that the organisation communicates inclusively with staff and external stakeholders
• Acts as a credible and convincing spokesperson and negotiator for the GLA 
• Instils a corporate commitment to accessible communication

Strategic Thinking

…is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action. 

Level 4 indicators of effective performance

• Develops a positive and compelling vision of London’s future potential, demonstrating confidence in the strategic direction of the GLA
• Translates an understanding of the complex and diverse threats and issues facing London and Londoners into positive action
• Proactively involves a diverse range of partners in strategic thinking, incorporating their views into plans and working with them to align strategic priorities
• Sets organisational priorities by identifying where time and investment is needed most
• Generates and leads strategic initiatives that reflect the GLA’s position as a regional authority

Managing and developing performance

… is setting high standards for oneself and others, guiding, motivating, and developing them, to achieve high performance and meet the GLA’s objectives and statutory obligations.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Motivates and inspires others to perform to their best, recognizing and valuing their work and encouraging them to learn and reflect
• Sets clear direction and expectations and enables others to interpret competing priorities
• Agrees and monitors challenging, achievable performance objectives in line with GLA priorities 
• Manages performance issues effectively to avoid adverse impact on team morale and performance 
• Promotes a positive team culture that respects diversity and deals with barriers to inclusion

Decision Making

… is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Makes sound decisions quickly on behalf of the GLA when a situation requires intervention
• Takes responsibility for team decisions, providing rationale when those decisions are questioned
• Involves senior stakeholders early in decisions that impact them
• Analyses organizational risks associated with decisions, including those with long term impacts, before committing to action 
• Encourages others in the team to make decisions in their own area of expertise, take appropriate risks and learn from experience

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