Making Space for Culture Manager London, England
Job description
Key information
About the role
Culture is the lifeblood of our city. It is the force that gives London its sense of identity, binds communities together, attracts visitors, drives the economy and encourages investment. The Mayor recognises this, and understands that the preservation, development and promotion of cultural spaces and activity is crucial to London’s identity as a global cultural capital, a key part of Londoners’ own pride in the city and community, and a powerful and far-reaching economic catalyst.
From preserving spaces for the community to populating the Fourth Plinth, helping creative entrepreneurs find viable local workspaces to building a new space for culture like the Museum of London, the Space for Culture team guards London’s identity as one of the world’s greatest cultural capitals
At a time in the city’s history when space is more limited than ever, we play a vital role in protecting and developing cultural spaces and preserving London’s identity as a rich and multifaceted ecosystem. Our work means that cultural value is prioritised as part of development, ensuring that culture, creativity and community are hardwired into the fabric of our city and ensure that the value of such spaces is understood by all. The work is diverse, the scope is ambitious, but the mission is simple: to preserve culture in all its forms at the heart of the city: making space for culture.
The role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Space for Culture Team to lead the Making Space for Culture Programme, developing the spaces that really matter to Londoners. Your will work with a team of three officers who support the strategic delivery of cultural developments which promote urban regeneration, social cohesion and economic growth across London. Your role will be to lead the strategic direction of the team, personally leading and bringing your experience to high profile capital projects. The Making Space for Culture team plays a strategic role in the delivery of a range of capital infrastructure initiatives including the Thames Estuary Production Corridor, the Creative Land Trust, the International Centre for Creative Industries and the Museum of London as well as developing opportunities for new spaces and ensuring these projects are integrated across the Mayor’s policies and programmes.
Principal accountabilities
- Provide strategic leadership on a range of initiatives, programmes and policies related to Making Space for Culture. Lead and deliver the programme and staff resources in line with planned performance and outputs to time, budget commitments identifying any risks and issues as appropriate. Contribute to development of continuing strategic planning, research and analysis across the programme and the Space for Culture team.
- Progress the development and implementation of large scale strategic cultural infrastructure projects in line with Mayoral priorities, currently including the International Centre for Creative Industries, East Bank, Museum of London, and others as they emerge, particularly where they align with Mayoral developments, Opportunity Areas or GLA funding programmes.
- Manage the GLA’s interests in relation to East Bank; including representing the GLA at governance meetings and boards; liaising with the London Legacy Development Corporation, providing support and challenge on key areas including diversity, skills, jobs, public realm, governance and external advocacy and ensuring reporting against the East Bank Impact Framework and Business Plan.
Maintain high quality day to day relationships with senior level stakeholders in the cultural and development community, including the principle culture and education partners (e.g. V&A, UCL, UAL, London College of Fashion, BBC, Sadler’s Wells), the culture and creative sector, local community stakeholders, major funders and government departments.
- Influence and develop new strategic partnerships based on evolving sector issues and programme aims to encourage best practice in all areas of cultural infrastructure– towards the aim of more sustainable and stable culture and community assets. Engage with internal and external stakeholders to influence their work on the further development of the programme, including the Regeneration, Economic Development, Housing & Land, Planning Environment, Skills and Community and Social Policy teams, London & Partners, London’s creative industries, businesses, higher education, and government departments.
- Support the Museum of London’s capital project to ensure regular progress and reporting against the GLA’s multi-million-pound commitment. Deputise at meetings as necessary, supporting briefings and regular project reporting. Ensure the project benefits from strategic links with other partners and departments within the GLA.
- Maintain knowledge of regional, national or international initiatives and best practice in culture, regeneration, planning and skills to keep the GLA’s thinking and work abreast of latest developments.
- Provide and contribute to written and oral briefings and specialist reports related to culture and the creative industries and key issues relating to the programme for the Mayor and his advisors, the Night Czar, GLA staff, government departments and London and national organisations including:
- drafting timely responses to Mayoral questions and correspondence
- providing concise briefings and responses to questions
- providing meeting management and secretariat functions for key meetings
- representing the GLA at external events and meetings
- timely responses to the London Assembly’s scrutiny function
- Contribute to the development of policies and strategies within the Culture and Creative Industries Unit and wider GLA Group.
- 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
- Manage staff and resources in allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards
- Undertake any other additional duties and tasks reasonably assigned to the role.
If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Kirsten Dunne at [email protected] to arrange a call.
Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework
Person Specification
Technical requirements/experience/qualifications
- Successful track record of creative industries policy development and programme delivery in a complex political environment, including working with local, regional and central government partners.
- Experience in or knowledge of London regeneration, planning, licensing and lease negotiations and built environment contexts.
- Experience of chairing and managing high level stakeholder groups and politicians, bringing together partners from a wide range of different organisations and managing communications in a political context.
- Extensive experience of programme and project management – delivering projects to a specific timeline, securing partnerships, running campaigns and strong communications and project management working across teams.
- Experience of carrying out extensive research with a number of partners to produce reports and recommendations.
- Significant experience of engaging with high level stakeholders and politicians and managing communications in a political context.
- Good working knowledge of local government structures and working and how culture is delivered across London Boroughs. Experience of working in a London Borough/ equivalent public sector experience/ experience of engagement with London Boroughs or public sector.
- Experience of chairing and managing stakeholder groups, bringing together partners from a wide range of different organisations.
- Good negotiating, influencing and communication skills, including experience of preparing written reports, letters and briefings.
- Good presentational skills and confidence in public speaking.
- A good working knowledge of London’s culture and creative industries.
Behavioural competencies
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 three 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
Strategic thinking
is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action.
Level three Indicators of Effective Performance:
- Translates GLA vision and strategy into practical and tangible plans for own team or delivery partners
- Consistently takes account of the wider implications of team’s actions for the GLA
- Encourages self and others to think about organisation’s long term potential
- Informs strategy development by identifying gaps in current delivery or evidence
- Takes account of a wide range of public and partner needs to inform team’s work
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
This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL)
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.
Equality and Diversity
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.
In addition to a good salary package, we 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.
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
- at least 18 months’ service with the GLA
If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.
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 Secondment Policy and Procedure
IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on fixed term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application 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
Apply here
