Senior Design and Conservation Officer

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 restoring Oxford Street to its former glory and to shape its exciting next chapter.

About the role

he Oxford Street Development Corporation is establishing a new planning service for one of Central London’s most significant and high-profile locations.

As Senior Design and Conservation Officer, you will play a leading role in embedding a design-led approach across OSDC’s planning function. You will provide specialist advice on urban design, architecture, heritage, conservation, townscape and public realm matters, supporting high-quality outcomes across pre-application discussions, planning applications, enforcement matters, policy development and the preparation of design briefs and guidance.

This is a key role in helping OSDC establish itself as a design-led Local Planning Authority, ensuring that growth and investment are matched by excellence in architecture, heritage, public realm, accessibility and placemaking.

The OSDC area contains a significant number of designated and non-designated heritage assets, as well as nationally important retail, commercial, cultural and public realm environments. The role will therefore require someone who can balance heritage significance with ambitious regeneration, accessibility, sustainability and placemaking objectives.

Working closely with development management, policy, infrastructure and delivery colleagues, you will support the Head of Planning Delivery and Place Shaping in establishing a planning service known for pace, quality, clarity and design leadership.

You will also help support OSDC’s Planning Quality Review Group and wider design review processes, ensuring that design advice is clear, robust, constructive and capable of shaping better development as well as contribute to wider policy development, including preparation of the OSDC Local Plan.

What your day will look like

• Lead on design, heritage, conservation, townscape and public realm matters across OSDC’s planning service.

• Provide specialist design and conservation advice on pre-application enquiries, planning applications, listed building matters, enforcement cases and emerging policy work.

• Prepare, commission or contribute to design briefs, development frameworks, site guidance and other design-led material to support high-quality development across the OSDC area.

• Support the operation of OSDC’s Planning Quality Review Group and any related design review processes, including preparing briefs, reviewing material, advising officers and helping ensure recommendations are followed through.

• Assess proposals for their impact on design quality, heritage significance, setting, townscape, public realm, accessibility, sustainability and placemaking outcomes.

• Work collaboratively with applicants, agents, design teams, Historic England, local authorities, amenity societies, community groups and other stakeholders to secure positive and deliverable design outcomes.

• Provide clear design and heritage advice to officers, senior management, members and Planning Committee where required.

• Contribute to the preparation of the OSDC Local Plan, design policies, guidance, characterisation work and wider service improvement.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Degree level qualification in architecture, urban design, conservation, planning, built environment, historic environment or another relevant discipline.

• Membership, or eligibility for membership, of a relevant professional body such as RIBA, RTPI, IHBC, Urban Design Group, Design Council Expert Network or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience of providing design and/or conservation advice on complex planning applications, pre-application proposals, listed building matters, design briefs, development frameworks or planning guidance.

• Experience of managing a caseload of heritage related planning applications, including listed building applications and associated consents.

• Strong understanding of heritage legislation, planning policy, architectural history and statutory development management processes.

• Good understanding of planning legislation, heritage legislation, national and London planning policy, design policy and statutory development management processes.

• Strong communication, analytical and negotiation skills, with the ability to balance design quality, heritage significance, regeneration objectives, deliverability and public value.

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 indicators 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.

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 19-23 Wells Street, London W1T 3PQ with an expectation of Hybrid working in the office 2/3 days a week.

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 Anne Ogundiya would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at planning.enquiries@oxfordstreet.org.uk

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