Principal Project Officer
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 role
We are seeking a motivated and skilled professional to join our team, bringing expertise across planning, regeneration, and project delivery.
This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of London’s spaces places in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. It sits at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and impact—where data-driven policy meets visionary design, and where your ability to influence diverse stakeholders can directly transform the prospects of London’s many and varied communities. With a broad remit spanning regeneration, planning, and economic development, it’s a chance to lead and collaborate with others on complex, meaningful projects that leave a lasting legacy on London’s evolving landscape.
What your day will look like
This role is a rare blend of urban strategy development, project planning and delivery, and importantly collaborative leadership — where regeneration projects are shaped not just by data and the development of related area strategies and frameworks, but by the ability to influence, negotiate, and deliver meaningful change across London’s evolving built environment landscape and sectors.
Skills, knowledge and experience
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Experience or knowledge in one or more of the following: regeneration, urban design, economic development, town planning, landscape planning, area frameworks or masterplans, London-specific planning and development issues, and commissioning and managing consultants.
- Proven ability in research and policy development, including data analysis and strategic contribution.
- Strong experience in project and programme management, stakeholder coordination, and outcome evaluation.
- Well-developed IT skills, with proficiency in project management, financial management, and design software packages.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to negotiate, advocate, and broker agreement across diverse viewpoints.
Candidates will also be expected to demonstrate strong behavioural competencies, including the ability to build and manage relationships across diverse stakeholders, solve complex problems creatively and collaboratively, conduct high-quality research and analysis, plan and organise work effectively to meet strategic goals, and show awareness of organisational dynamics and political context.
If you are passionate about shaping places and delivering impactful change, we’d love to hear from you
Job Description
Job purpose
To deliver complex projects which promote urban regeneration and economic growth across London, ensuring delivery of the GLA’s programmes and activities, working with the GLA’s partners to secure physical change and economic growth. Evaluating delivery of projects to develop and inform regeneration policy and good practice.
Principal accountabilities
Contribute to the development of regeneration projects with developers, the boroughs or other agencies.
Contribute to the development of regeneration and urban renewal policy.
Lead and deliver complex projects in line with planned performance and outputs to time, budget commitments and quality specifications by monitoring the activities of delivery partners and their contractors, identifying and reporting on risks and issues as appropriate.
Provide guidance to Senior Project Officer and Project Support Officers in project management and delivery.
Ensure that projects are well consulted upon with politicians, partners, stakeholders and local communities and gain a good understanding of the local context where the Regeneration team is delivering projects.
Contribute to the clienting of consultants to deliver projects, including procurement processes, project management, monitoring and review.
Contribute to the development and implementation of regeneration and economic development strategies and policies in line with Mayoral priorities and GLA decision making frameworks
Engage with internal and external stakeholders, to represent and promote the GLA’s strategy and actions and to influence their work on regeneration and economic development programmes and projects.
Maintain knowledge of regional, national or international initiatives and best practice in regeneration and economic development to keep the GLA’s thinking and work abreast of latest developments.
Prepare and present reports, briefs and recommendations on key issues and actions to the Managers and Assistant Director to facilitate executive understanding and decision making.
Contribute to the development of strategies and policies in relation to regeneration and economic development.
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
Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams
Key contacts
Accountable to: Area Managers (NE, South or NW)
Accountable for: Resources allocated to the job.
Key Contacts: London Boroughs, City Hall colleagues, delivery partners, consultants, contractors
Person specification
Technical requirements/experience/qualifications
Experience of or knowledge of one or more of the following;
- Regeneration
- Urban design
- Economic development
- Town planning
- Preparation and/or implementation of area frameworks, masterplans etc.
- London planning, design, regeneration and development issues
- Commissioning and managing consultants
- Experience of research and policy development
- Experience of project development and management
- Well developed IT skills and experience of using project management, financial management and design software packages.
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 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
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 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
Problem solving
… is analyzing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance:
Clarifies ambiguous problems, questioning assumptions to reach a fuller understanding
Actively challenges the status quo to find new ways of doing things, looking for good practice
Seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives to help produce workable strategies to address complex issues
Initiates consultation on opportunities to improve work processes
Supports the organisation to implement innovative suggestions
Research and analysis
…is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.
Level 2 indicators of effective performance:
Proactively seeks new information sources to progress research agendas and address gaps in knowledge
Grasps limitations of or assumptions behind data sources, disregarding those that lack quality
Analyses and integrates qualitative and quantitative data to find new insights
Translates research outcomes into concise, meaningful reports
Identifies relevant and practical research questions for the future
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 3 indicators of effective performance:
Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery
Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits
Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders
Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard
Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables
Organisational Awareness
…is understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond the GLA and shaping our approach accordingly.
Level 2 indicators of effective performance:
Challenges unethical behaviour
Uses understanding of the GLA’s complex partnership arrangements to deliver effectively
Recognises how political changes and sensitivities impact on own and team’s work
Translates changing political agendas into tangible actions
Follows the GLA’s position in the media and understands how it impacts on work
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.
If you have questions about the role
If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Jamie Dean would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at jamie.dean@London.gov.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.
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.
Find out which DBS check is right for your employee - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
More Support
If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.