Planning Technical Support Manager (Oxford Street Development Corporation)

Oxford Street Development Corporation

This role will sit in the future Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC). OSDC is expected to be established by 1 January 2026 as a new Mayoral Development Corporation--part of the GLA Family--to drive the transformation of Oxford Street.

You can learn more about OSDC here: Oxford Street Transformation | London City Hall

About the role

The Planning Technical Support Manager will establish, lead and manage the Planning Technical Support function in the Oxford Street Development Corporation’s Planning Unit, ensuring the delivery of an efficient, high quality planning support and validation service. The role will oversee the planning support team, optimise systems and processes, and provide management information and strategic advice that informs unit-wide decisions.

This role will support the delivery of the planning function, maintain excellent customer service, legislative compliance, and continuous service improvement, and actively contribute to cross-functional planning initiatives.

What your day will look like

Your day-to-day will include the following responsibilities:

1. Ensure validation of planning applications and submissions is efficient, compliant, and consistent, in line with statutory requirements and local policies.

1. Establish robust operational policies and procedures for the planning support service, embedding best practice and continuous improvement.

1. Act as strategic lead for planning IT systems, overseeing configuration, updates, and integration with other OSDC systems; ensure system integrity and data accuracy.

1. Provide accurate, timely management information and performance reports to the Director of Planning and senior management to inform operational and strategic decisions.

1. Monitor budgets for Planning Technical Support, advising on resource allocation, forecasting, and efficiency savings.

1. Ensure compliance with statutory reporting, internal audits, and data governance requirements.

1. Lead, motivate, and manage a Planning Support team (including matrix management where appropriate), ensuring high performance, personal development, and succession planning.

1. Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, and deployment of staff across the Planning Technical Support function.

1. Set team objectives aligned with OSDC corporate and Planning Directorate strategies.

1. Serve as a senior point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including GLA colleagues, delivery partners, consultants, and neighbouring boroughs on technical planning support matters.

1. Represent the Planning Technical Support function at internal and external forums and contribute to corporate or cross-functional initiatives, such as digital transformation projects.

1. Actively liaise with the Head of Planning Policy, Head of Development Management & Enforcement, and Director of Planning to ensure coordinated service delivery.

1. Lead service improvement initiatives, including digital and process enhancements across the planning support function.

1. Develop and maintain comprehensive training and guidance for planning officers and other users of planning systems.

1. Ensure customer-focused and responsive services, with clear performance standards and feedback mechanisms.

1. Deputise for the Head of Development Management & Enforcement as required, contributing to strategic planning leadership.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Membership (or eligibility) of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or relevant planning qualification with strong post-qualification experience.

• Experience of managing operational teams, ideally in a planning support or local authority environment.

• Proven ability to develop and implement policies and procedures that improve service quality and efficiency.

• Experience in budget management, forecasting, and resource planning.

• Experience as a system administrator for planning systems, or demonstrable capability to lead digital transformation and process optimisation.

• Strong understanding of statutory planning processes, development management, validation requirements, and planning legislation.

• Ability to communicate, negotiate, and influence across a wide range of stakeholders.

• Track record of delivering continuous service improvements and embedding best practice across operational functions.

The following competencies will also be essential:

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 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

Managing and Developing Performance

…is setting high standards for oneself and others, and guiding, motivating and

developing them, to achieve high performance and meet the GLA’s objectives and

statutory obligations.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Seeks opportunities to develop professional skills and knowledge, and encourages team to do so
• Ensures own and others’ workloads are realistic and achievable
• Provides staff with clear direction and objectives, ensuring they understand expectations
• Recognises achievements and provides constructive feedback and guidance
• Gives staff autonomy and confidence to perform well and to their potential

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

Decision Making

… is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing

risks to delivery and taking accountability for results.

Level 2 indicators 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 GLA’s decision-making processes and how to use them

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.

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 Enora Robin, Senior Programme Delivery Manager – Oxford Street Transformation at the GLA, would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at enora.robin@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.

The interview date is w/c 15 December.

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

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.