Job Description

Communities and Skills is led by Executive Director, Tunde Olayinka and is comprised of the following units: Civil Society & Sport, Communities & Social Policy, Group Public Health Unit, Skills and Employment and Health, Children and Young Londoners.

About the team

The team includes a range of responsibilities, including strategy planning, policy development, commissioning of research, communications, governance and stakeholder engagement. We engage closely with stakeholders and design and develop policies and programmes to meet the Mayor’s manifesto commitments. The team is also responsible for the Inclusive Talent Strategy – the key skills and employment intervention in the London Growth Plan.

About the role

Are you passionate about helping Londoners to access good jobs, further and higher education to lead happier and healthier lives? If so, look no further!

We are seeking a highly skilled and enthusiastic Strategy and Relationships Manager to join the Skills & Employment Unit. Leading and motivating a team of around 8 policy, strategy, and communications specialists, you will support Londoners and London’s businesses to get the skills they need to succeed.

The Skills & Employment Unit is the largest Unit in the GLA, responsible for all aspects of policy development, relationships, and strategy through to delivery, compliance, and governance.

This role forms part of the Strategy and Relationships management team, and will work alongside the wider Unit, providing strategic direction and expert guidance on skills and employment policy, strategy and relationship matters.

You will need significant stakeholder management skills, working with the Mayor and Mayor’s Office, the Further Education sector, regional, local and national government and business leaders of all sizes across the capital.

What your day will look like

1. Leading strategy and policy development relating to the Mayor’s skills and employment manifesto commitments.

2. Fulfil the Mayor’s role to promote and deliver skills and employment policy and deliver the manifesto commitments on these policy areas.

3. Manage a multidisciplinary team of officers to develop policy, strategies and strategic communications and events.

4. Work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders at senior level including national government, education providers, London’s boroughs, employers and businesses and communities.

5. Work closely with other teams within the Skills and Employment Unit and across the GLA, including the Mayor’s Office, Communities and Social Policy, Environment, Health, Economic Development and Education and Youth

6. Work with national government and agencies to advocate for and support the successful implementation of devolved powers and funding as they relate to skills, careers and employment.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

* Experience in successfully leading and managing a high performing team/ staff.

* A successful track record of managing multiple projects and programmes including planning and monitoring delivery against plans, ensuring they are met and manging risk.

* A substantial knowledge of economic development policy with a successful track record of leading the development of skills and employment policy and/ or strategy.

* Experience of successfully operating at a senior level in a complex organisational or political environment.

* Experience in delivering and coordinating compelling and successful advocacy and communication activity