Strategy Support Officer

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 provide coordination and business support to keep the Corporate Strategy team operating with pace, discipline and strong governance. You’ll run trackers and version control, manage meeting cadence and follow-up, support high-quality briefings and packs, and keep the submissions and work programme machinery running smoothly.

This is a hands-on team. Whatever your role, you’ll need to get into the detail: helping the team make sense of complex information, deadlines and inputs; keeping work organised; spotting risks and dependencies; and supporting clear, high-quality products at pace. You’ll need curiosity, initiative, good judgement and the confidence to build relationships quickly, work collaboratively and help the team 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

• Plan and coordinate the team’s work so deadlines are met and products are delivered to a high standard
• Manage meeting cadence and follow-up, maintaining clear decision and action logs
• Maintain the work programme and prioritisation tracker, including support to time-limited sprints
• Lead administration for major Government moments and strategic submissions, including trackers and version control
• Support production of high-quality briefings and packs and maintain effective information management

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Proven experience providing executive or team support in a fast-paced environment, exercising sound judgement and discretion
• Excellent organisational skills to plan and coordinate multiple workstreams and meet tight deadlines, remaining calm under pressure
• Strong written communication and attention to detail, including producing and quality-checking briefings and packs
• Experience managing meeting logistics, agendas, actions and follow-up, ensuring reliable tracking
• Strong stakeholder and information management (including version control and sensitive material) to secure timely inputs
• Confident using digital tools to manage workflows and trackers, improving processes through templates and routines, and able to work as a self-starter with curiosity, initiative and collaborative ways of working

Behavioural Competencies

The following behavioural competencies are required for this role at Level 2. Shortlisting will be based on the five competencies marked “shortlisting”. The remaining competencies will be tested at interview and/or through further assessment.

Competencies used for shortlisting

Planning and Organising – Level 2

• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables.
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones.
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work.
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard.
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met.

Communicating and Influencing – Level 2

• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, in both verbal and written communication.
• Persuades others, using evidence-based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively.
• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way.
• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally.

Stakeholder Focus – Level 2

• Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear.
• Presents the GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders.
• Delivers a timely and accurate service.
• Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapts own service accordingly.
• Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve the GLA’s service to Londoners.

Building and Managing Relationships – Level 2

• Develops new professional relationships.
• Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement.
• Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict and takes action.
• Fosters an environment where others feel respected.
• Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals.

Organisational Awareness – Level 2

• 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.
• Is aware of the changing needs of Londoners, anticipating resulting changes for work agendas.
• Follows the GLA’s position in the media and understands how it impacts on work.

Additional competencies to be tested at interview

Responding to Pressure and Change – Level 2

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure.
• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements.
• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives.
• Manages team’s wellbeing, supporting them to cope with pressure and change.

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 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 glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

Is this role eligible for sponsorship?

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

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: end of July (may be subject to change)

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.