Head of Climate Change

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 Environment and Energy unit is responsible for the policies and programmes related to the Mayor’s ambitions around the natural environment, climate adaptation and his net zero 2030 target. The 25-strong Climate Change team sits within this unit.

The Climate Change team leads three areas of the Mayor’s work: climate mitigation, adaptation and green finance. Climate mitigation leads on London’s net zero strategy, including our external work with partners like C40 and our internal initiatives such as climate literacy training. Adaptation includes the GLA’s work to lead London’s response to extreme heat and flood risk, as well as delivering the Mayor’s manifesto commitment around clean and healthy waterways. Green finance supports the delivery of the London Climate Finance Facility, including the £500m Green Finance Fund, and the recently announced climate finance taskforce.

About the role

This senior role will play a pivotal part in the Mayor’s ambitions towards net zero. The Head of Climate Change leads an expert team of around 25 people working across a range of disciplines. The postholder will need to support the team through periods of uncertainty and change, whilst leading a high-performing and inclusive culture.

The Head of Climate Change will need to demonstrate strong strategic leadership, policy development and programme delivery skills across a range areas. This includes overseeing delivery against the manifesto commitment to clean up London’s waterways, the Mayor’s ambitions to enable the scaling up of green finance for decarbonisation projects in London, and setting the strategy for the path to net zero by 2030.

The postholder will need to develop strong working relationships with the Deputy Mayor and the wider Mayor’s Office, supporting their decision-making and ensuring team resources are focused on priorities. In addition, effective partnership working with government, London Councils, functional bodies across the GLA Group, and a wide range of agencies, utility providers and third sector partners will be key to successful delivery.

The Head of Climate Change is the Programme Director for the Mayoral programme ‘Reducing Non-Residential Emissions’. This involves supporting the SRO to ensure good governance, delivery of key outputs, identification and mitigation of risks, and careful management of budgets to maximise delivery and ensure value for money.

On behalf of the GLA, the Head of Climate Change will play a critical leadership role for London’s climate sector in reducing our city’s carbon emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Skills, knowledge and experience

Please use your supporting statement to set out how you meet the following five essential criteria in no more than 1500 words. Scores against these five criteria will determine shortlisting for interview.

1. Experience at a senior level leading a large, diverse, multidisciplinary team or department within a complex organisation. A track record of building a high-performing and inclusive team culture and ability to ensure the team is aligned with organisational priorities.

2. Experience of providing high-quality professional advice to senior staff and politicians, and experience of building trust and confidence with elected members (or equivalent office holders).

3. A background in strategy development at a senior level, considerable experience in leading teams carrying out complex policy work in a high-profile subject matter.

4. Ability to work in a structured, outcomes-focused way providing a high standard of programme management to ensure successful delivery of projects to scope, budget and timeframe.

5. Sound understanding and experience of financial management across multi-disciplinary functions, including budget formulation, financial monitoring and demonstrable evidence of corporate management of resources to achieve best value for money.

6. Excellent relationship management and collaboration skills across organisational structures and ability to build effective strategic partnerships with government, industry and other key stakeholders.

At interview the behavioural competencies from the JD may be assessed as well as the essential criteria above.

Please find the full Job Description here

How to apply

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

· A personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Megan Life, Assistant Director Environment and Energy would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at megan.life@london.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glarecruitment@engageats.co.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 dates are expected to be the first week of November, although these 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.