Principal / Senior Conservation Officer

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, enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

The Design Unit promotes equality and inclusion in the built environment, as well as advocates for quality design in the sector, building on a long culture of design excellence within the GLA. The Design Unit is part of the Mayor’s Planning and Regeneration team which seeks to ensure growth in London is more equitable, maximising cultural, economic, social and environmental benefits for Londoners. Working in partnership across the GLA group, London Boroughs and local organisations, we deliver exemplary programmes, projects, policies and knowledge-sharing to help ensure London can adapt to wide-ranging challenges including the climate emergency, equalities, representation and citizen engagement.

London has evolved over centuries into a rich network of distinctive streets, squares, markets, parks, workplaces, and homes. The built environment we see today, shaped by past generations, has deeply influenced how and where we live, work, and socialise. As a global city, London’s historic environment remains one of its greatest assets. With the city now entering another period of growth, we have an opportunity to guide this next phase while safeguarding the significance of its historic places.

The role will support the Head of Design Unit in the overall delivery of Good Growth principles in London’s built environment and positively support development that meets the needs of Londoners while celebrating London’s historic fabric.

• Provide expert advice on heritage, conservation and London’s historic built environment and support the development of related research, strategies, programmes and policies to promote world-class architecture, sustainable and inclusive design in London’s buildings, public spaces and urban fabric in line with Mayoral priorities.
• Provide heritage advice on a range of planning matters and contribute to the assessment of planning applications that are referred to the Mayor and work in collaboration with boroughs to deliver the ambitions of the London Plan.
• Understand how to apply the London Plan in a pragmatic and sensible way that encourages development and make a significant contribution to the built environment by ensuring developments maintain the distinctiveness and character of London’s historic environment.
• Proactively engage with London’s heritage and conservation community, across boroughs, professional bodies, and national organisations, to ensure the GLA remains well-connected, informed, and able to champion best practice.
• Provide thought leadership on the role of London’s historic built fabric in supporting sustainable, inclusive and deliverable growth, by developing robust research, evidence and best practice.
• Develop policy and guidance that helps the GLA and the Mayor address key challenges and opportunities in conserving heritage while enabling London’s continued development in a way that benefits all Londoners.
• Work closely with the Design Unit, as well as colleagues across Planning, Regeneration and the wider GLA Group, to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to heritage and the historic environment.
• Collaborate proactively with boroughs, local planning authorities and the development community to support shared objectives, promote high-quality outcomes and embed heritage considerations within London’s growth and delivery landscape.

As part of the work as the Principal / Senior Conservation Officer, you will:

• Provide heritage and conservation advice to GLA Development Management on referable applications across Pre-apps, Stages 1, 2 and 3, including acting as the GLA expert witness at Public Enquiries.
• Assist with developing heritage and conservation positions in Mayoral policies and strategies and engage with LPA draft Local Plans.
• Support GLA Group colleagues delivering development across the capital with regard to its impact on the historic context.
• Engage with the sector across organisations and public bodies striving to champion the historic environment.
• Maintain knowledge of regional, national or international initiatives and best practice in planning and regeneration to keep the GLA’s thinking and work abreast of the latest developments.
• Ensure effective engagement and relationships with politicians, partners, stakeholders, landowners, statutory bodies, and local communities, including through public consultation, and gain a good understanding of the local context.
• Contribute to the clienting of consultants to deliver projects and research, including procurement processes, project management, monitoring and review.
• Enable effective design review arrangements across London, and manage design (project) review on behalf of the GLA group.
• Lead on the representation of the Mayor’s planning and development policies, concerns and objectives to examinations in public, commissions and public inquiries.
• Manage and prepare briefings and reports for the Mayor, Assembly and other organisations on planning and land-use policy issues to facilitate executive understanding and decision making.
• Manage staff and resources allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.
• 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.

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

• Knowledge of the built environment sector with experience of promoting inclusive, high quality and sustainable growth in London.
• Detailed knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the spectrum of national, regional and London strategic spatial planning issues, legal processes and policy trends; sound knowledge of local planning issues and processes; a sound knowledge of strategic spatial policy issues, planning frameworks and development management; and commissioning and managing built environment sector consultants.
• Experience of research and policy development.
• Experience of project development, management and project review.
• Qualification in town planning, architecture, urban design and relevant professional experience as a senior Conservation Officer within a similar organisation or business environment.
• Good track record of giving high level professional advice on complex and/or sensitive issues at a senior level and ability to communicate effectively through clear and persuasive oral, written and personal presentations to a range of different audiences.

A detailed knowledge and understanding of national and regional planning, heritage and development issues, legal processes and policy trends are essential. You will be expected to present to the Mayor and Deputy Mayors directly, provide heritage advice at call-in hearings and may be required to give evidence at public inquiries so will need excellent, written and verbal communication skills. You will also have the ability to work successfully with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

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. 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.

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.