1000+ Best principal Jobs in London (September 2025)

Greater London Authority (GLA)

Strategic Programme Lead, Strategic Licensing Project

13 days ago

London

Good Growth Directorate 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 team The Culture, Creative Industries and 24 Hour London Unit, in partnership with teams across the Greater London Authority (GLA), is leading an exciting new government-backed pilot to establish strategic licensing powers for the Mayor of London. This high-profile initiative is a cornerstone of the Government’s and Mayor’s shared growth agenda—unlocking opportunities for London’s hospitality, cultural and nighttime economies. About the role We’re looking for a dynamic and driven Strategic Programme Lead to drive forward the delivery of this major project. You will lead a fast-paced, cross-organisational effort to design and implement new licensing powers covering alcohol, pavement licensing, and major events—with the ambition to launch by April 2026. This is a unique opportunity to: • Shape a new policy and regulatory function within the GLA, • Drive innovation in how licensing supports London’s economic and cultural vibrancy, • Work with senior stakeholders across government, industry, and the city Job purpose: The GLA must rapidly initiate and deliver complex, high-impact strategic programmes in response to emerging Mayoral priorities, external shocks, and opportunities for city-wide transformation. These programmes often span multiple directorates, require extensive cross-organisational collaboration, and have substantial political, financial, and reputational implications. This senior-level post provides the authority, leadership and professional expertise required to design, establish, and drive the successful delivery of high-profile, cross-cutting Mayoral programmes. Reporting to the Assistant Director for Culture, Creative Industries and 24 Hour London), the postholder will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of major programmes, establishing robust governance and assurance mechanisms, overseeing delivery across multiple workstreams and partners, and acting as the primary interface with senior stakeholders including the Mayor’s Office, Assembly Members, Boroughs, government departments, and external delivery partners. The postholder may be responsible for leading long-term, complex delivery programmes or for designing and establishing programme infrastructure and capability before transitioning leadership to delivery teams. The role will be a member of the Culture, Creative Industries and 24-Hour London Unit’s Senior Management Team (SMT). Along with SMT, it will be responsible for contributing to the positive culture and running of the Unit. The postholder will ensure that the Unit’s resources, skills and policy opportunities are harnessed to the project and that the Unit develops, benefits from and strategically responds to the opportunities that the resourcing and delivery of the project represent – for the Unit and for the GLA. Current project status: The Culture, Creative Industries and 24 Hour London Unit, with teams across the GLA, will oversee and enable the development and delivery of a substantial new pilot to establish strategic licensing powers for the Mayor of London. This role will lead the team to ensure that this project is prioritised, funded and delivered at pace from within the GLA. This project team will work with all London boroughs, the Metropolitan Police, industry and other key partners in designing and implementing a new Strategic Licensing Policy and powers. The team will pilot a new Licensing Service that will improve licensing practice and partnership working across London, increasing economic impact, and creating a regional pilot that can influence national policy. Principal accountabilities: • Provide visible strategic leadership of major, complex and politically sensitive Mayoral programmes, ensuring alignment with broader policy objectives and city strategies, and driving delivery from inception to implementation., • Build, manage and lead project teams to drive delivery, including through periods of significant uncertainty – establishing an inclusive, outcome-focused culture, providing effective people management, and supporting team members to develop and progress., • Lead the strategic design, governance and programme assurance structures, working closely with Executive Directors, the Mayor’s Office and key partners to ensure clear lines of accountability, robust decision-making, and effective programme management., • Direct and manage associated programme teams and workstreams, ensuring performance is aligned with agreed success measures, value for money is achieved, and key milestones and risks are proactively managed and reported., • Act as the principal conduit to the Mayor’s Office, providing trusted advice, briefings and communications to senior political stakeholders including the Mayor, Deputy Mayors, and Mayoral Advisers, and coordinating cross-directorate inputs to support strategic direction and reputational management., • Establish and lead high-level partnerships with Boroughs, government departments, arms-length bodies, business and community sectors to secure collective commitment, influence shared outcomes, and shape the external environment for successful delivery., • Lead negotiations on funding and delivery arrangements, including strategic legal agreements, business cases and resource mobilisation, ensuring GLA interests are protected and delivery models are sustainable., • Represent the GLA at senior-level forums, Assembly Committees, sector bodies and in public settings, building credibility, trust and understanding of the programme’s aims and benefits., • Champion equity, inclusion and community voice throughout programme design and delivery, ensuring London’s diverse communities are reflected in governance, engagement and outcomes., • Provide professional leadership and line management to senior programme and project managers, ensuring high performance, continuous development, and a collaborative culture across multi-disciplinary teams. Accountable to: Assistant Director, Culture, Creative Industries and 24 Hour London Person Specification Technical requirements/experience/qualifications To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria and behavioural competencies: • Significant experience of successfully leading and delivering complex, high-profile programmes or projects in a political, public sector or multi-agency environment., • Proven ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams, particularly through periods of uncertainty and change. This includes setting strategic direction, overseeing performance, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive working culture., • Experience of developing and implementing governance structures and assurance frameworks to support the delivery of programmes or projects at scale and in complex political and stakeholder environments., • Demonstrable experience of managing programme or project budgets and resources effectively, with a strong understanding of public sector procurement and financial controls., • Credibility with political stakeholders at the highest level, and ability to engage and influence wider senior stakeholders, including government departments, local authorities, elected members, and community or commercial partners., • Strong communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality briefings, reports and presentations, and to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences., • Knowledge and understanding of the Mayor’s priorities and the political and policy context in which the GLA operates, or the ability to quickly develop this. 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 4 indicators of effective performance: • Identifies and engages a diverse range of influential contacts within stakeholder and community groups, and partner organisations, • Builds alliances to establish mutually beneficial working arrangements, openly sharing knowledge and insights, • Actively challenges and addresses ‘silo attitudes’ to encourage effective relationships, • Understands the complexities of political dynamics and uses this to manage relationships and resolve conflict effectively … is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us. Level 4 indicators of effective performance: • Articulates self with credibility and conviction, encouraging buy-in to corporate position Influences the thinking of other organisations, encouraging them to deliver, • Influences the thinking of other organisations, encouraging them to deliver with the GLA, • Acts as a credible and convincing spokesperson and negotiator for the GLA, • Ensures that the organisation communicates inclusively with staff and external stakeholders Acts as a credible and convincing spokesperson and negotiator ...is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, the workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift. Level 4 indicators of effective performance: • Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenge from staff, media and partner organisations, • Shows positivity in the face of external pressure, minimising negative impact, • Drives a culture of continuous improvement, • Sets the direction for organisational development and ensures effective communication of change initiatives Level 4 indicators of effective performance: • Develops a positive and compelling vision of London’s future potential, demonstrating confidence in the strategic direction, • Translates an understanding of the complex and diverse threats and issues facing London into positive action, • Proactively involves partners in strategic thinking, incorporating their views into plans and working with them to align strategic priorities, • Sets organisational priorities by identifying where time and investment is needed most How to apply If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following: • Up to date CV 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 learn more about the role, there will be a Teams information session at 1pm on Tuesday 26 August. Afterwards the session will be available as a recording. Please use this link to join: If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the ___ 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 first interview/assessment date will be 23 September 2025. Second stage interviews will take place the week commencing 29 September. 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. Location and Benefits This is a hybrid role; the postholder will split their time between coming into the office up to 3 days and home working. The main office will be at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street, London SE1). The postholder will be expected to occasionally attend events and meetings elsewhere, in particular, City Hall (Kamal Chunchie Way, London E16 1ZE). 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) basic check. Secondment Opportunity If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying: • On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;, • successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment. For further information, please see ___. IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the ___ form as it is not a secondment. If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application. More Support If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact ___.

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