Portfolio Lead: Skills and Corporate

​Working for City Hall makes a difference to the lives of Londoners. Our staff are at the centre of long-term planning and development for our great city.
 

Strategy and Communications

Strategy and Communications sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing together several teams with organisation-wide remits and mutual collaboration opportunities. The work of the directorate’s teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross-organisational programmes, to making sure we plan for and can respond to emerging events or emergencies in our city.

About the team

We’re a newly created Corporate Strategy team supporting CMT to set direction on how the GLA organises itself to be effective, drive pace on the priorities that matter most to the Mayor, strengthen cross-GLA join-up, and keep a relentless focus on delivering outcomes for Londoners. We work closely and collaboratively across all GLA teams.

About the role

We’re recruiting two Portfolio Leads. The portfolio split and account management responsibilities will be agreed after recruitment, based on the strengths of successful candidates and organisational need. You’ll act as the Strategy account manager to embedded policy teams, shape policy development and convene where required, and provide succinct advice to CMT. You’ll also coordinate portfolio inputs to major Government moments, working closely with the specialist and ensuring products (including narrative and core asks) are jointly owned with PASP.

This is a hands-on team. Whatever your role, you’ll need to get into the detail: making sense of complex data, evidence and intelligence; framing issues simply and clearly; identifying the key decisions, trade-offs and risks; and explaining them powerfully, both verbally and in writing, at pace. You’ll need strong political and organisational nous, curiosity and a desire to learn. You’ll be a self-starter who can take initiative, build relationships quickly, challenge constructively, work collaboratively and deliver efficiently. The work will vary with demand and major deadlines, so you’ll need to be comfortable working flexibly and at pace when priorities require it, while operating within GLA policies and ways of working.

What your day will look like

• Act as the strategy account manager to embedded policy teams, support the shaping of policy development and convening where required
• Produce succinct briefings, options and recommendations for CMT
• Support compelling narratives aligned to statutory strategies and Mayoral priorities
• Coordinate portfolio inputs to Government moments, ensuring narrative and core asks are jointly owned with PASP
• Lead short, time-limited sprints to unblock issues and produce decision-ready papers

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Strong judgement and awareness of what matters for CMT and the Mayor, with the ability to frame issues and advise accordingly
• Excellent critical thinking and rapid synthesis, producing short, decision-ready advice under pressure
• Credible influencing and constructive challenge skills, improving the quality of proposals while sustaining strong relationships
• Strong triage capability, making decisions on where to focus and when escalation is required
• Strong policy and fiscal literacy (funding, settlements, business cases, devolution/reform tools) combined with narrative and case-making
• Demonstrable ability to coordinate cross-organisation work to tight timetables using governance, project management and quality assurance, acting as a self-starter with strong political and organisational nous

Behavioural Competencies

The following behavioural competencies are required for this role at Level 3. Shortlisting will be based on the five competencies marked “shortlisting”. The remaining competencies will be tested at interview and/or through further assessment.

Competencies used for shortlisting

Strategic Thinking – Level 3

• Translates GLA vision and strategy into practical and tangible plans for own team or delivery partners.
• Consistently takes account of the wider implications of team’s actions for the GLA and Londoners.
• Encourages self and others to think about the organisation’s long-term potential.
• Informs strategy development by identifying gaps in current delivery or evidence.
• Takes account of a wide range of public and partner needs to inform team’s work.

Decision-making – Level 3

• 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 organisational 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.

Communicating and Influencing – Level 3

• 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.

Problem-solving – Level 3

• 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 – Level 3

• 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 and programmes.
• Helps others understand how the media and external perceptions of the GLA influence work.

Additional competencies to be tested at interview

Building and Managing Relationships – Level 3

• 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.

Planning and Organising – Level 3

• 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.

Research and Analysis – Level 3

• Expands networks to gain new information sources for research and policy development.

• Identifies and implements methods to ensure intelligence is of a high quality.
• Encourages others to analyse data from different angles, using multiple perspectives to identify connections and new insights.
• Tailors research investment in line with likely impact for Londoners and policy priorities.
• Retains a bigger-picture view, ensuring research recommendations are appropriate and practical for the GLA and its stakeholders.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

How to apply

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

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination. 

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Chandru Dissanayeke would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at Chandru.Dissanayeke@london.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

Is this role eligible for sponsorship?

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

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/assessment dates will be held late July (may be subject to change).

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.

Benefits

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. 

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

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 personal 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 personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
 
The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.

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 a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

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, we 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.