Project Support Officer X2

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 

The Mayor’s Planning and Regeneration team seeks to ensure growth in London is more equitable, maximising cultural, economic, social and environmental benefits for Londoners.

Working in partnership across the GLA group, London Boroughs and local organisations, we deliver exemplary programmes, projects, policies and knowledge-sharing to help ensure London can adapt to wide ranging challenges including the climate emergency, equalities, representation and citizen engagement. 

About the role

We are recruiting for two Project Support Officer roles. A 2 year Fixed term contract position which will support the new Design Unit and a Permanent position which will support the Place Unit. 

The former involves coordination of the Mayor’s Design Advocates, London Review Panel, programme communications and an events programme. The latter would work closely with Senior Officers in our area-based teams to ensure smooth delivery of various projects and programmes, alongside communications and events planning support.

You will be comfortable and confident communicating with a range of internal and external stakeholders. You will be proficient in MS Office and comfortable with MS Excel to keep our records up to date and ensure our contracting and payment processing is smooth and efficient. You will be organised and able to work independently; comfortable in taking responsibility for some of our processes and reporting to the senior officers.

Some experience of events management and graphic design or publishing (adobe create suite software) would be desirable but not essential. There will be opportunities to become more involved in the wider work of the team. This post could well provide a platform to progress to other roles leading projects or policy development. 

Most of all you will be passionate about London and its many diverse places. You will have a passion for urban design, city planning or those motivated by supporting a busy and ambitious team to excel. You will also have an ability to communicate, negotiate with and influence a diverse range of people, as well as experience of problem solving and organising a varied workload in a fast-moving context. 

What your day will look like Providing support to Senior Project Officers. This could include any of the following activities: 

• Support the delivery of projects and actions through collaboration encouragement and advice.
• Assist in compiling data and producing reports and communication about the overall programme of projects undertaken by the GLA Regeneration teams.
• Drawing, mapping and graphic support to support place-based working and design research
• Thematic areas of design research inquiry and communications
• Arrange project meetings and produce meeting documentation such as agendas and minutes and presentations.
• Produce, maintain and distribute programme and project documentation, such as risk logs, issue logs, action lists, requirements logs, project plans, programme prospectus and application forms, team plans and work packages (detailing various project team member tasks), as directed.
• Processing financial claims and payments.
• Track project actions against targets, take ownership and management of project issues; take follow up or remedial actions if required.
• Produce project and programme communication and reports in order to track and report on project progress.
• Assist in procuring consultants and prepare contract specifications and grant award documentation
• Assist in maintaining and monitoring project and programme financial information such as monitoring spend against budget.
• Liaise with Applicants, delivery partners, boroughs and other organisations to help maintain excellent working relationships.
• Provide cover for other project management tasks in the team as required in times of staff absence or peaks of workload.
• Perform the role in accordance with the GLA’s policies and code of ethic and standards, including health and safety.
• Manage staff and resources in allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.
• Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams Skills, knowledge and experience 
• To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:
  • Demonstrable ability and experience of project and programme delivery.
  • A background working in built environment related disciplines, e.g., architecture, urban design, planning.
  • Well developed IT skills and experience of using financial or project management systems and processes.
  • Strong understanding of the planning and political context of London including Experience of Economic Development, Planning, Regeneration, Place-Making and design quality management.
  • Demonstrable evidence of building and managing relationships, developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.
  • Demonstrable evidence of ability to communicate and influence, presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.
  • Demonstrable evidence of ability to plan and organise work including: is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

How to apply

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

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.