Senior Policy Officer

We are looking for a dynamic and skilled Senior Policy Officer to join our friendly Business Engagement Team. We manage the Greater London Authority’s relationships with the private sector in London supporting the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and advisors. 

Our work is varied and fast moving. The Business Engagement Team has a range of responsibilities, including planning and delivering meetings and events; understanding and reporting on key business issues; handling business-related queries from the London Assembly and members of the public; delivering business-facing campaigns; and supporting programmes, projects and policies that will deliver the Mayor’s priorities for economic development in the capital. We also manage the relationship with London and Partners.

You will be expected to support programmes, projects and policies that will help to ensure delivery of the Mayor’s priorities for economic development in the capital, as set out in his Economic Development Strategy. 

The role involves supporting the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Business and helping ensure that London remains an attractive destination to work, travel to and invest in. 

You will need strong networking and stakeholder management skills in this role as you will be working with a wide range of contacts including businesses, representative groups, and other stakeholders. You will also need strong written and verbal communication skills to provide briefing and advise the Mayor’s Office and senior staff on business issues. At times the work can be fast paced, so you will ideally be adaptable, able to deliver in uncertain situations, and able to work under pressure. 

The role is fixed term until 31 January 2025, but there may be potential to extend. 

Principal accountabilities

To undertake regular engagement with business stakeholders at all levels including corporate c-suite level and with senior officials in government.

To engage with officers across the GLA Group to ensure a joined-up approach to delivering the Mayor’s priorities for economic development in London.

To support high profile business engagement events working with partners and stakeholders to secure successful outcomes.

To ensure business stakeholders are kept up to date on the Mayor’s policies and programmes using a variety of platforms including events, one to one meetings, social media and the GLA website, and to encourage businesses to support Mayoral priorities.

To expand the GLA’s business relationships, in particular in priority sectors of the economy through engagement and collaborative projects.

To provide accurate, high quality briefing material for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Business.

To represent the GLA at internal and external meetings and on committees relating to London’s business community.

To gather intelligence and maintain an up to date understanding of business perspectives on key issues of concern to the Mayor and GLA such as economic recovery, Climate Change, migration, skills, and infrastructure.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

Experience of working with, or alongside, the public and private sector and a good understanding of the differences in their perspectives and values.

Experience of engaging and influencing external stakeholders.

Good understanding of London’s economic and business environment. 

Experience of project management and driving delivery on major high profile, public facing or corporate events

Experience of using CRM systems (desired but not essential)

Experience of digital communications (desired but not essential)

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.

•    Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear

•    Presents the GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders

•    Delivers a timely and accurate service

•    Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapts own service accordingly

•    Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve the GLA’s service to Londoners

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 2 indicators of effective performance:

•    Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear

•    Presents the GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders

•    Delivers a timely and accurate service

•    Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapts own service accordingly

•    Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve the GLA’s service to Londoners

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:

•    Proposes 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 opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

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 and 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

Organisational Awareness

… is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture, and politics across and beyond the GLA and shaping our approach accordingly.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance:

•    Challenges unethical behaviour

•    Uses understanding of the GLA’s complex partnership arrangements to deliver effectively

•    Recognises how political changes and sensitivities impact on own and team’s work

•    Is aware of the changing needs of Londoners, anticipating resulting changes for work agendas

•    Follows the GLA’s position in the media and understands how it impacts on work

This role is based at the 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: Sunday 25th February 2024 at 23:59