Strategy and Relationships Manager - Skills and Employment

Communities and Skills The Communities and Skills directorate work with and through partners to ensure Londoners can shape healthy, empowered and productive lives. Within the directorate sits the Skills & Employment unit which is responsible for delivering the Mayor’s vision for Skills and Employment support to help Londoners and the capital’s communities and businesses to thrive.

About the team London’s Skills and Employment system plays a key role in supporting Londoners to get the skills they need to improve their lives and for London’s economy to thrive. 

Our skills system is the highest performing in the country and the Mayor of London has recently reached the important milestone of having supported the participation of over 1 million learners through his adult education programmes, since taking control of London’s Adult Education Budget (AEB) in 2019. Through further devolution of powers, funding and decision making, we want to support even more Londoners to transform their lives.

The strategy, policy and Relationships team is warm and inclusive and our work includes writing the strategies and developing new thinking that brings to life the Mayor’s vision for Skills and Employment. We also lead public affairs, community engagement, and marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, to make sure we are responding to London’s needs. The team also includes an embedded governance function. 

About the role 

Are you passionate about helping Londoners to access good jobs, further and higher education to lead happier and healthier lives? If so, look no further!

We are seeking a highly skilled and enthusiastic Strategy and Relationships Manager to join the Skills & Employment Unit. Leading and motivating a team of around 8 policy, strategy, and communications specialists, you will support Londoners and London’s businesses to get the skills they need to succeed.

This role forms part of the Strategy and Relationships management team, and will work alongside the wider Unit, providing strategic direction and expert guidance on Skills and Employment policy, Strategy and relationship matters.

You will need significant stakeholder management skills, working with the Mayor and Mayor’s Office, the Further Education sector, regional, local and national government and business leaders of all sizes across the capital.

What your day will look like You will:

• Leading Strategy and policy development, and communications relating to the delegated £320m per annum Adult Education Budget (AEB) and wider post-16 skills.
• Fulfil the Mayor’s role to promote and deliver Skills and Employment policy and deliver the manifesto commitments on these policy areas.
• Manage a team of officers to develop policy priorities that will help to ensure that London’s Skills and Employment system is supporting Londoners to fulfil their potential and to succeed in work and society.
• Lead the team to produce evidence and research to inform the development of Skills and Employment policy priorities that will contribute to supporting Londoners.
• Work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders at senior level, both internal to the GLA and external, including national government, education providers, London’s boroughs, employers and businesses and communities. 
• To provide policy advice, written and oral briefings, reports etc. for the Mayor, Mayor’s Office, Executive Directors and Assistant Director as appropriate; and respond to information requests from the Assembly, others in the GLA and GLA group, government departments, London based and national organisations as required.
• To lead, manage and motivate the staff and resources allocated and other staff as required effectively and efficiently to ensure delivery of GLA objectives and policies.
• 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.

Skills, knowledge and experience 

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience in successfully leading and managing a high performing team/ staff.
• A successful track record of managing multiple projects and programmes including planning and monitoring delivery against plans, ensuring they are met and manging risk.
• A substantial knowledge of economic development policy with a successful track record of leading the development of Skills and Employment policy and/ or strategy.
• Experience of successfully operating at a senior level in a complex organisational or political environment.

Assessment process 

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment. The interview date is: 6 June 2024.

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.

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 but some roles may require additional security screening.

Job Description 

Principal accountabilities

1. Leading Strategy and policy development, and communications relating to the delegated £320m per annum Adult Education Budget (AEB) and wider post-16 skills.
2. Fulfil the Mayor’s role to promote and deliver Skills and Employment policy and deliver the manifesto commitments on these policy areas.
3. Manage a team of officers to develop policy priorities that will help to ensure that London’s Skills and Employment system is supporting Londoners to fulfil their potential and to succeed in work and society.
4. Lead the team to produce evidence and research to inform the development of Skills and Employment policy priorities that will contribute to supporting Londoners.
5. Work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders at senior level, both internal to the GLA and external, including national government, education providers, London’s boroughs, employers and businesses and communities. 
6. To provide policy advice, written and oral briefings, reports etc. for the Mayor, Mayor’s Office, Executive Directors and Assistant Director as appropriate; and respond to information requests from the Assembly, others in the GLA and GLA group, government departments, London based and national organisations as required.
7. To lead, manage and motivate the staff and resources allocated and other staff as required effectively and efficiently to ensure delivery of GLA objectives and policies.
8. 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.

Technical Specification: 

1. Experience in successfully leading and managing a high performing team/ staff. 
2. A successful track record of managing multiple projects and programmes including planning and monitoring delivery against plans, ensuring they are met and manging risk. 
3. A substantial knowledge of economic development policy with a successful track record of leading the development of Skills and Employment policy and/ or strategy.  
4. Experience of successfully operating at a senior level in a complex organisational or political environment. 

Behavioural competencies

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 3 indicators of effective performance: 

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication 
• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments 
• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities 
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement 
• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation 

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 

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:

• Works with a view to the future, prioritising own and others’ work in line with GLA objectives 
• Briefs and prepares team to accomplish goals and objectives 
• Communicates the GLA’s strategic priorities in a compelling and convincing manner, encouraging buy-in 
• Balances own team’s needs with wider organisational needs 
• Identifies synergies between team priorities and other relevant agendas 

Problem solving 

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.  

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Clarifies ambiguous problems, questioning assumptions to reach a fuller understanding 
• Actively challenges the status quo to find new ways of doing things, looking for good practice 
• Seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives to help produce workable strategies to address complex issues 
• Initiates consultation on opportunities to improve work processes  
• Supports the organisation to implement innovative suggestions 

Organisational Awareness  

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

Level 3 indicators of effective performance: 

• Uses understanding of differences between the GLA and its partners to improve working relationships 
• Helps others understand the GLA and the complex environment in which it operates 
• Translates changing political agendas into tangible actions 
• Considers the diverse needs of Londoners in formulating GLA objectives 
• Helps others understand how the media and external perceptions of the GLA influence work 

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 3 indicators of effective performance: 

• Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery 
• Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits 
• Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders 
• Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard 
• Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables