Head of Corporate Strategy

Strategy and Communications

Strategy and Communications sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing together several teams with organisation-wide remits and mutual collaboration opportunities. The work of the directorate’s teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross-organisational programmes, to making sure we plan for and can respond to emerging events or emergencies in our city.

About the team

We’re a newly created Corporate Strategy team supporting CMT to set direction on how the GLA organises itself to be effective, drive pace on the priorities that matter most to the Mayor, strengthen cross-GLA join-up, and keep a relentless focus on delivering outcomes for Londoners. We work closely and collaboratively across all GLA teams.

About the role

You’ll set up and lead a small high-performing team that helps CMT make clear choices on direction, priorities and trade-offs. You’ll provide independent assurance and constructive challenge to emerging proposals, strengthen cross-GLA and GLA Group join-up, and coordinate strategic inputs to major Government moments jointly with other teams. You’ll build trusted relationships with directorates and the Mayor’s Office and help maintain pace and discipline on a focused set of priorities.

This is a hands-on team. Whatever your role, you’ll need to get into the detail: making sense of complex data, evidence and intelligence; framing issues simply and clearly; identifying the key decisions, trade-offs and risks; and explaining them powerfully, both verbally and in writing, at pace. You’ll need strong political and organisational nous, curiosity and a desire to learn. You’ll be a self-starter who can take initiative, build relationships quickly, challenge constructively, work collaboratively and deliver efficiently. The work will vary with demand and major deadlines, so you’ll need to be comfortable working flexibly and at pace when priorities require it, while operating within GLA policies and ways of working.

What your day will look like

· Lead a lean Corporate Strategy team and set clear priorities, standards and ways of working.

· Provide CMT with assurance and constructive challenge on emerging proposals and trade-offs.

· Strengthen cross-GLA and GLA Group join-up, surfacing dependencies, gaps and decisions needed.

· Coordinate strategic inputs to major Government moments supporting the Strategic Partnerships team.

· Commission short, time-limited sprints to unblock issues and improve decision quality on delivery priorities.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

· Strong strategic judgement and political awareness, with the ability to advise senior leaders on what matters most for the Mayor and CMT

· Excellent analytical and critical thinking, producing clear, decision-ready advice and recommendations under pressure

· Credible influencing and constructive challenge skills, building trusted relationships while improving the quality of proposals

· Strong triage and prioritisation, making clear calls on where to focus and when escalation is required

· High levels of policy and fiscal literacy (funding, settlements, business cases and devolution/reform tools) and strong narrative and case-making

· Proven ability to lead cross-organisation work to tight timetables with effective governance, quality assurance and inclusive leadership, acting as a self-starter with strong political and organisational nous

Please find the full Job Description here

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:

· an online application

· a Word statement as part of the application (1,500 words) outlining how you meet the essential criteria as well as the competencies outlined in the advert.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Chandru Dissanayeke would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at Chandru.Dissanayeke@london.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glarecruitment@engageats.co.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

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.

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: wc/13 July 2026

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.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.