Strategic Planner - Space for Culture

​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.
 

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 roles are based within the Culture, Creative Industries and 24-Hour London Unit at the Greater London Authority. The Unit delivers the Mayor’s Culture Strategy for London, supporting an exciting, world-leading city of inspiration and opportunities for everyone. We do this through a wide range of programmes that support the arts and creative industries to grow and be accessible to all, and the capital to become the number one destination for 24-hour culture and entertainment. Projects we work on across the Unit include the London Borough of Culture, the Creative Economy Growth programme, Creative Enterprise Zones, East Bank, the Fourth Plinth Programme, Diversity in the Public Realm and 24-Hour London Task Force. The Mayor has adopted a new governance approach in which he has set mandates which commission the major programmes.

The Space for Culture team is part of the Culture, Creative Industries and 24 Hour London unit. It ensures that culture, creativity and community are hardwired into the fabric of our city to build a better London for everyone. From production and performance spaces to public realm projects, from protecting spaces at risk to creating opportunities for new spaces, we work to strengthen our city’s identity as a rich, diverse and multifaceted cultural capital.

The team plays a strategic role in the delivery of a range of cultural infrastructure initiatives including the East Bank, Creative Enterprise Zones, Culture and Community Spaces at Risk, Making Space for Culture, the Thames Estuary Production Corridor, Diversity in the Public Realm, the Creative Land Trust, ReStage, and an International Centre for Creative Industries.

About the role

Based in the Space for Culture team, you will be working across culture and the creative industries and planning to support the delivery and protection of cultural space in London. You will work with planning and culture functions at the GLA as well as the equivalent teams at London Boroughs, working across masterplanning, planning policy and individual development schemes to support the team to protect and grow cultural space. As part of this work, you will also engage with developers and cultural space operators to secure appropriate, fit-for-purpose cultural spaces.

What your day will look like

You will be passionate about protecting and growing London’s cultural spaces, helping to ensure they continue to make a vital contribution to the capital’s communities, economy and identity. Working as part of a dynamic and collaborative team, you will use your planning expertise to support the delivery of the Mayor’s ambitions for culture across London.

No two days will be the same. You could be attending a pre-application meeting to discuss the delivery of new cultural space within a major development, advising colleagues on planning policy and the reprovision of existing cultural infrastructure, drafting representations on borough planning applications, or supporting a Creative Enterprise Zone to develop policy approaches that strengthen its cultural offer. You will work closely with boroughs, developers, cultural organisations and other stakeholders, providing expert planning advice and helping to shape positive outcomes for London’s cultural sector.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply your planning knowledge to complex and varied projects, influencing development across the capital and helping to secure a thriving future for London’s cultural spaces.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Qualification in planning and relevant professional experience as a planner
• Experience in the development or application of planning policy is essential
• Experience working in or with development management functions is essential
• Experience in undertaking or managing built environment related research desirable
• Knowledge of cultural and creative industries sector in London desirable
• Experience working on the delivery of capital projects desirable
• Experience working with Borough culture/regeneration and/or economic development teams desirable

Behavioural Competencies

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 or 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 

Research and Analysis

… is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits. 

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• 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 

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

Responding to pressure and change 

… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift. 

Level 2 indicators of effective performance: 

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure 

• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements  

• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve  

• Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives  

• Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change 

Reasonable adjustment  

Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work. 

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

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

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. 

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role

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

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

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 date is:  W/c 23 November 2026 (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.