Southwark (Hybrid)
Permanent, Full time
£63,112
Good Growth
Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport, culture 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
London is a city recognised as the global capital for arts and culture. Our theatres, music venues, museums and galleries are renowned across the world. Our creative industries are vital to London’s success and the recording studios, rehearsal spaces, artists' workspaces, grassroots music, and LGBTQ+ venues all contribute to this success. The Space for Culture team is part of the Culture, Creative Industries and 24Hour Unit. It ensures that culture, creativity and community are hardwired into the fabric of our city to build a better London for everyone. From production and performance spaces to public realm projects, from protecting spaces at risk to creating opportunities for new spaces, we work to strengthen our city’s identity as a rich, diverse and multifaceted cultural capital.
About the role
As Programme Manager for Culture and Community Spaces at Risk, you will provide senior strategic direction and management of the spaces at risk programme, working with stakeholders across London to protect London’s cultural and community assets of all sizes, and create opportunities for cultural and creative organisations to thrive in the capital.
What your day will look like
Your work will cover:
- Taking on priority cases and lobbying, negotiating and providing advocacy on their behalf and briefing senior leaders on progress
- Providing strategic advice and guidance in planning matters, sustainability and lease negotiations
- Working closely with GLA and local authority culture, economic development, regeneration and planning teams, developers, funders, Government, and sector representatives
- Working directly with the operators and communities running London’s vibrant spaces, particularly those which represent Black, Asian and minority ethnic, Deaf, and disabled people, LBGTQ+, low-income groups, older people, and women-led groups and those located in areas of London where there is a lack of, and demonstrated need for, this type of cultural or social infrastructure
- Manage a team of three and resources allocated to the programme
- Being part of the Space for Culture management team, contributing to the strategic direction of this part of the team
This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL)
Skills, knowledge and experience
To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:
- Experience in or knowledge of London cultural policy, regeneration, planning, licensing, and lease negotiations and built environment contexts
- Good negotiating, influencing and communication skills, including experience of preparing written reports, letters, and briefings and managing communications in a political context
- Experience of chairing and managing high level stakeholder groups and politicians, as well as engaging effectively and gaining the trust of communities; bringing together partners from a wide range of different organisations
- Experience of delivering projects to a specific timeline, securing partnerships, running campaigns and strong communications and project management working across teams
- Good working knowledge of local government structures and working and how culture is delivered across London Boroughs. For example, experience of working in a London Borough/ equivalent public sector experience/ experience of engagement with London Boroughs or public sector.
- Successful track record of operating in a complex political environment, for example working with local, regional, and central government partners or similar.
Behavioural competencies
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 three 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
Strategic thinking …is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action.
Level three Indicators of Effective Performance
- Translates GLA vision and strategy into practical and tangible plans for own team or delivery partners
- Consistently takes account of the wider implications of team’s actions for the GLA
- Encourages self and others to think about organisation’s long-term potential
- Informs strategy development by identifying gaps in current delivery or evidence
- Takes account of a wide range of public and partner needs to inform team’s work
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 three 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 GLA priorities
- Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement
- Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation
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.
Applications submitted without a Personal Statement will not be considered.
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.
If you have questions about the role
If you have a question about the role please attend one of our ‘Town Hall’ information sessions. These will take place on Teams on 21 May at 10 am and 22 May at 4.30 pm (see details below) and are an opportunity to hear about the team, the role and to ask any questions you wish to ask.
Town hall
21 May 10 am
22nd May 16.30 pm
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: 17th June 2025
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.
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
Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.
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.
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 a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.
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.
In addition to a good salary package, we 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.