Principal Development Management Officer x 2

The Oxford Street Development Corporation

You will be joining an organisation whose work is helping to shape the future of one of London’s most iconic places. The Oxford Street Development Corporation has been established to lead the long-term regeneration and transformation of Oxford Street and its surrounding area to deliver a world-class public realm and safer, cleaner streets, and to supporting high-quality development, culture and economic activity that keeps the area thriving. Our OSDC Board is setting out the strategic direction of the organisation and brings diverse insight and cross-sector expertise including retail, property, leisure, fashion, music, theatre, media, law and politics. Your will be joining a rapidly growing organisation fully dedicated to restore Oxford Street to its former glory and to shape its exciting next chapter.

About the role

The Principal Development Management Officer will play a key role in development management matters within a new planning service being created as part of the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC).  The Development Corporation will cover a strategically important area within Central London, focused on Oxford Street.  The job will require a leading role in the assessment of complex, high profile planning applications with the Development Corporation area, ensuring decisions align with strategic regeneration objectives, statutory requirements, and relevant planning policy. 

This role will support the Head of Planning Delivery and Place Shaping by contributing to the efficient, effective and proactive delivery of the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) development management function. 

The role holder will provide expert planning advice and professional leadership to officers, members, applicants, and stakeholders, shaping high-quality design-led development that enhances Oxford Street’s role as a world-class retail, cultural, and commercial destination. 

What your day will look like

• Manage and assess a diverse caseload of planning applications in accordance with agreed performance targets by ensuring prompt registration and validation, consultation with stakeholders and compliance with statutory requirements. Prepare written reports for decision securing positive planning outcomes that contribute to the delivery of planning and regeneration objectives for Oxford Street.
  
  
• Proactively evaluate pre-application proposals, advising on planning policy compliance, the form and content of planning applications, procedural matters and all other relevant planning issues and negotiating Planning Performance Agreements as appropriate.
  
  
• Line manage Senior Planning Officers and other planning staff as appropriate and supervise their work on planning applications and pre-application proposals.
  
  
• Attend Planning Committee as required and provide planning advice and briefings to members, officers and senior management.
  
  
• Prepare evidence and represent OSDC at appeals, hearings, inquiries and court proceedings as necessary.
  
  
• Contribute to the effective operation, development and improvement of OSDC’s planning service, including planning policy, guidance, procedures, service development and professional stakeholder management.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Possession of an appropriate planning qualification with eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute together with good post qualification experience in planning.
  
  
• Demonstrable experience of successfully managing own caseload, including major planning applications and the associated discharge of conditions.
  
  
• Good knowledge of planning issues, statutory development management processes, planning policies and the legislative framework.
  
  
• Sound understanding of the working environment of a local planning authority.
  
  
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders

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 OSDC priorities.
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement.
• Advocates positively for the OSDC both within and outside the organisation.

BUILDING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS

… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people; and sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 3 indicator of effective performance

• Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support OSDC 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

DECISION-MAKING

… is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results

Level 2 indicator of effective performance

• Takes decisions as necessary on the basis of the information available.
• Makes decisions without unnecessarily referring to others.
• Involves and consults internal and external stakeholders early in decisions that impact them.
• Identifies potential barriers to decision-making and initiates action to move a situation forward.
• Demonstrates awareness of the OSDC’s decision-making processes and how to use them.

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 indicator 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.

This role is based at 19-23 Wells Street, London W1T 3PQ.

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 OSDC’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 Richard McFerran would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at richard.mcferran@oxfordstreet.org.uk .

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

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: To be confirmed.

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

OSDC 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. 

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a wider GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as a secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying 

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
• at least 18 months service with the GLA 

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment.  For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application.