Role Description

Role Purpose

Job purpose

  • To provide strong, collaborative and values-driven leadership for the GLA’s 70-strong Environment and Energy Unit, with a focus on staff development and engagement, with equality, diversity and inclusion at its core, and to contribute fully to the senior leadership of the wider GLA.
  • Working closely with the Deputy Mayor for the Environment, to develop and promote effective strategies to progress the Mayor of London’s vision for the environment and to maintain London’s reputation for domestic and international leadership.
  • To lead the development and delivery of a complex and wide-ranging programme of initiatives, and an associated budget of more than £20m per annum, continuously seeking opportunities to improve performance and efficiency.

Principal accountabilities

  • Lead and manage a unit of c. 70 policy specialists, programme managers and professional experts responsible for developing and implementing the Mayor’s environmental strategies and policies, in accordance with GLA strategic objectives.  Ensure that the Unit continues to operate as a high-performing and inclusive team, including through periods of change (for example, the move of City Hall to the Crystal and the commencement of a new Mayoral term). Provide a strong focus on continual improvement on equality, diversity and inclusion; staff engagement and wellbeing; and professional development of staff at every grade and from all backgrounds (including from underrepresented groups).
  • Support the Deputy Mayor for the Environment in setting and communicating the strategic direction for the GLA’s and Mayor’s environmental and energy programmes. Develop a strong working relationship with the Deputy Mayor and wider Mayoral Team, managing issues as they arise, enabling them to engage effectively in the team’s work, setting clear and deliverable priorities, and providing a link between the team and the Deputy Mayor to ensure effective communication of objectives and work programmes.
  • Lead the development and delivery of programmes across the full range of the GLA’s environment and energy responsibilities. These include (but are not restricted to):
    • The Green New Deal mission within the London Covid-19 Recovery Programme, including the use of the Mayor’s Green New Deal fund.
    • The Mayor’s Air Quality initiatives, including work to deliver the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in October 2021, and to support the decarbonisation of London’s vehicle fleet (including through provision of charging infrastructure).
    • The development of strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation (including around COP26), to drive delivery of the Mayor’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and ensure that London is resilient to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
    • A broad range of programmes to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise London’s energy supply – including retrofit and Warmer Homes programmes, and the establishment of London Power as a sustainable energy company for Londoners.
    • The development of a collaborative approach to procuring low-carbon energy across the GLA family (and potentially the wider London public sector).
    • Support for and administration of the London Sustainable Development Commission, and the development and delivery of policies and programmes to promote and achieve sustainable development.
    • The promotion of the circular economy, including increasing levels of recycling and collection of food waste across London.
    • Programmes to expand and improve London’s green spaces and green infrastructure.
    • Work on green finance (both access to finance and divestment), on the green economy and on availability of and access to green jobs, including for underrepresented groups.
    • The delivery of the GLA’s statutory environmental responsibilities, particularly in respect of planning, waste and air quality.
  • Work with the Deputy Mayor to promote and strengthen London’s reputation for environmental leadership both nationally and internationally – including through forums such as UK100 and the C40, as well as through effective communications and campaigns activity.
  • Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and reflecting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities – both externally by ensuring the Environment Unit’s programmes address disadvantage and promote more diverse involvement and employment in London’s green sector and internally through an ongoing focus on equality, diversity and inclusion in the Environment and Energy Unit and by contributing actively to wider GLA diversity initiatives.
  • Establish, develop and maintain strong relationships with key external bodies and individuals including in London Councils and the Boroughs, government departments, environmental NGOs, energy and utility firms, green economy/finance organisations, and the wider environment and energy sector, in a manner that ensures mutual confidence and trust, and builds avenues for shared working and synergy between policies and programmes.
  • Promote partnership working and collaboration across the GLA and the wider GLA Group, building links with a broad range of teams and functions, raising the Unit’s profile, including with senior managers, and seeking to integrate and promote environmental objectives and improvement widely within the GLA’s work programmes.
  • Provide effective financial management of the Environment Unit’s capital and revenue budgets, totalling over £20m pa, and support the GLA’s wider budget planning and management, responding as needed to financial pressures faced across the GLA Group. Manage the development and agreement of programme budget and staffing plans, engaging staff across the directorate and working closely with the Deputy Mayor, and lead their implementation (including any staffing or structural changes required). Ensure that appropriate monitoring is in place to avoid overspends and underspends, and that investments realise expected outcomes.
  • Ensure effective performance management and business planning arrangements are in place to achieve strategies and objectives for the Unit, translating strategic aims into practical and achievable plans and ensuring compliance with the corporate management framework.
  • As a senior manager, actively contribute to the corporate management of the GLA by participating in GLA-wide developments and initiatives. Where needed, represent the Executive Director of Good Growth in corporate and external facing activity, including attendance at committees and meetings, and in their absence take responsibility and be accountable for decisions on all matters relating to the work of the whole directorate or the wider GLA (including the forthcoming move out of City Hall).
  • Provide advice and support to the Mayor, Chief Officer, Executive Director, Deputy Mayors, Mayoral Directors, Mayoral Advisers, senior managers and Assembly Members on matters within the area of responsibility.
  • Take lead responsibility in the Environment and Energy unit for health and safety, business continuity and the development of a fit for purpose communication strategy.

Dimensions

Accountable to:         Executive Director, Good Growth

Accountable for:        Resources and staff allocated to the post.

Salary:                         £110,118 per annum

This site uses cookies, click here to read our privacy policy. I Understand