Principal Business Operations Officer (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 Principal Business Operations Officer will develop and lead on the corporate-wide Oxford Street Development Corporation’s (OSDC’s) business operations including IT; acting as effective liaison across the organisation and supporting the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Operations to achieve organisational objectives.

This role will lead on OSDC’s operational set up, playing a pivotal role in the establishment of a new organisation and taking responsibility for its subsequent requirements during its first year of operations. This includes budget responsibility for operational setup and ongoing operational requirements; and responsibility for the efficient function of OSDC’s future office space through a range of administrative tasks, including the accommodation budget, and liaison with Landlord and other key suppliers.

Finally, this role will lead and promote a positive Health and Safety culture in the workplace, ensuring that staff comply with Health and Safety legislation and to develop and lead on our Health and Safety policies.

What your day will look like

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

1. Lead on operational set up for OSDC across the organisation as a whole, during a period of rapid growth as OSDC develops its activities during its first year of operations

2. Provide the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Operations/Head of People with accurate and timely information on all aspects of business support management for the organisation, including office management assurance, audit reviews, and health and safety.

3. Lead on and take responsibility for the effective administrative and operational systems and processes across the organisation to ensure the smooth running of the day to day operational functions of OSDC. This also includes the oversight of office consumables to ensure that adequate supplies are maintained, and budget responsibility for operational activities.

4. To lead on the execution and monitoring of performance against service contracts relating to IT operations and office space. Management of the office equipment, maintenance and service contracts and systems, and liaising with TfL IT and IT Shared Services as necessary.

5. Lead and manage the organisation’s IT systems and processes, this includes being the first point of contact for OSDC for IT matters and effectively liaising with TfL in the process.

6. Representing OSDC as the business change lead at GLA Group-wide steering groups and to ensure that any relevant changes are communicated and implement at OSDC.

7. Project management and overall responsibility for any office relocations which includes a physical move to a new space and any actions leading up to move. This includes ensuring that the fit/spec for the new office space is fit for purpose.

8. To lead on all internal health and safety matters which includes the development of health and safety policies in conjunction with HR, operational procedures and practices to ensure legal compliance, and the smooth running of the office space.

9. To be responsible for and have oversight of OSDC’s First Aiders and Fire Wardens to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, effective emergency preparedness, and prompt response to incidents.

10. Supporting Human Resources with the new starter/ onboarding process which includes the health and safety induction, building induction, and fire safety ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

11. To realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Relevant experience in business support, office management, and health and safety.
• Strong organisational and planning skills including experience of operating in highly pressured, fast changing and complex environments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Significant experience and evidence of effective report writing.

The following competencies will also be essential:

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

Problem Solving

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

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

Responding to Pressure & 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

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.