Project Officer (ATLAS LDN) in London

Good Growth

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 (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

About the team

GLA Planning & Regeneration plays a core role in shaping and planning London’s future growth, and in delivering good growth across the city, for London’s communities. This role will sit within the new ATLAS LDN London team, whose mission is to provide coordinated planning capacity and expertise to unlock live and pipeline sites, accelerate the delivery of high-quality development, promote good practice and placemaking, drive innovation, and champion the value of public sector planning.

Town planning capacity and associated specialist expertise is cited as a major barrier to housing delivery. Supported by MHCLG and Homes England, the GLA has established ATLAS LDN, a team of highly experienced planners and other specialists, providing coordinated capacity to London’s Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), to unlock strategic sites, support masterplan development, enable quicker delivery and promote best practice. In addition, ATLAS LDN supports wider capacity-led programmes, including data and digital tools, recruitment and skills initiatives, standardisation of processes, and the sharing of good practice across boroughs. Together, these interventions will help build longer-term capacity and capability across London’s planning system.

ATLAS LDN is working in close partnership with national ATLAS and the New Homes Accelerator teams, including NHA LDN, the London branch of the New Homes Accelerator based at the GLA. The team is also working closely with MHCLG, Homes England and other parts of Whitehall to help bridge the gap between policy and delivery, ensuring local delivery is supported by wider expertise and investment.

By providing targeted additional capacity to LPAs, planning determination for thousands of new and affordable homes can be supported and expedited.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced, driven and dynamic Project Officer to join our ATLAS LDN team.

You will be responsible for assisting the Principal Programme Manager and Head of ATLAS LDN with various projects linked to the programme. ATLAS LDN is working closely with the NHA LDN programme and a number of projects are interlinked. Some of these joint elements will form part of the new role.

This role requires excellent communication skills, the ability to organise project tasks in an efficient way, be adaptable and able to pivot depending on the requirements of the programme. You will be required to be a team player and have excellent organisational skills.

You will need:

Interest: An interest in the built environment and awareness of the Mayor’s programmes to increase the provision of homes for Londoners.

Professional Experience: Significant experience in working on complex projects and programmes, preferably within a similar organisational context, with planning and/or development industry experience.

Skills: Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to help organise projects and engage effectively with a range of stakeholders.

What your day will look like

As part of your role as a Project Officer (ATLAS LDN), you will:

• Lead and support procurement activity for specialist frameworks, working with internal teams to develop specifications, coordinate evaluations and establish contracts.
• Support the delivery of the ATLAS LDN and NHA LDN programmes, helping to strengthen capacity and capability across London boroughs and other stakeholders through effective project coordination and delivery.
• Assist in managing programme governance, including preparing papers, coordinating meetings and tracking actions, decisions, risks and performance. Act as a key point of contact for boroughs and stakeholders, managing enquiries and ensuring timely, accurate responses.
• Work closely with the Programme Manager to monitor programme milestones, outputs and funding requirements, ensuring delivery remains on track and within budget.
• Coordinate engagement with boroughs and partners, organising workshops, meetings and communications to build strong relationships and collaboration.
• Assist the development and implementation of digital tools, including the ATLAS LDN and NHA LDN site submission platform, ensuring accessibility and usability.
• Monitor programme performance, maintain accurate records and contribute to reporting requirements, including those linked to external funding.
• Contribute to the development of processes and ways of working, identifying opportunities to improve service delivery and programme efficiency.
• Assist in managing commissioned work and consultants, supporting appointment processes and ongoing oversight through the ATLAS LDN and NHA LDN framework.
• Prepare briefings, presentations and updates for senior stakeholders, clearly communicating progress, challenges and achievements.
• Undertake research and analysis to inform programme development, drawing on best practice in planning, regeneration and capacity building.
• Work collaboratively across the GLA and with external partners as part of multidisciplinary teams delivering shared priorities.
• Manage allocated resources responsibly, ensuring compliance with GLA policies and delivering value for money.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the programme, ensuring services meet the needs of London’s diverse communities.

Skills, knowledge and experience

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

• Demonstrable experience of managing and delivering projects and programmes, delivering results on target and within budget.
• Thorough knowledge of project management and project techniques, including analysis, project planning and appraisal, financing and risk management and evaluation. Desirable: Understanding of procurement processes, including the use of frameworks to commission specialist advice or support.
• Experience of managing complex stakeholder arrangements to achieve positive outcomes for the organisation.

Personal Style and Behaviour

• Proactive and focused on results.
• A track record of delivery and getting things done whilst empowering individuals and teams, valuing their contribution and resolving differences without conflict.
• Articulate, dynamic, energetic, self-motivated, committed and enthusiastic.
• A team player across the organisation.
• Ability to work cooperatively and in collaboration with other stakeholders and colleagues.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Natalie Wells would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

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.

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.

Unit: ATLAS LDN,Planning and Regeneration

Job Purpose

The post holder will work on the delivery of ATLAS LDN, a new programme to support London’s Planning Authority’s capacity and capabilities. The post holder will achieve desired outputs and outcomes within agreedtimeframes, within budget, to specification and operational standards.

Principal Accountabilities

• Support the effective governance of the ATLAS LDN programme, ensuring appropriate processes, decisions, reporting structures and controls are in place and adhered to. Assist in coordinating governance meetings, preparing papers and maintaining oversight of actions and decisions.
• Lead and support the procurement of specialist frameworks to provide a range of technical advice to the ATLAS LDN team and the London boroughs, including development of specifications, engagement with internal procurement teams, and coordination of evaluation processes, establishment and monitoring.
• Act as a key point of contact for the ATLAS LDN programme, managing enquiries from boroughs, partners and stakeholders, and ensuring timely and accurate responses or escalation where appropriate.
• Support the ATLAS LDN Programme Manager in the day-to-day delivery of the programme, including programme planning, monitoring milestones, tracking risks and issues, and supporting delivery against key objectives and funding requirements.
• Coordinate engagement with London boroughs and external stakeholders, facilitating workshops, meetings and communications to ensure strong relationships and effective collaboration in delivering planning support.
• Support the development and implementation of the ATLAS LDN site submission platform, ensuring it is clear, accessible and aligned with programme objectives and capacity.
• Monitor programme performance and outputs, maintaining accurate records and contributing to regular reporting requirements, including those required by MHCLG funding conditions.
• Contribute to the development of operational processes and protocols to support the effective delivery of the ATLAS LDN service, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Assist in the coordination and management of commissioned work, including supporting the appointment and oversight of consultants through the ATLAS framework.
• Provide briefing materials, presentations and updates to senior officers and stakeholders, ensuring clear communication of programme progress, challenges and achievements.
• Support research, analysis and evidence gathering to inform programme development, including identifying best practice in planning support, capacity building and service delivery models.
• Work collaboratively across the GLA and with external partners, contributing to multidisciplinary teams and supporting integration with related programmes and initiatives.
• Manage resources allocated to programme delivery tasks, ensuring compliance with GLA policies, value for money, and alignment with programme priorities.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of programme delivery, ensuring the ATLAS LDN service responds to the diverse needs of London’s communities and boroughs.
  

Key relationships

Accountable for: Resources allocated to the job

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of managing and delivering projects and programmes, delivering results on target and within budget.
• Thorough knowledge of project management and project techniques, including analysis, project planning and appraisal, financing and risk management and evaluation.
• Desirable: Understanding of procurement processes, including the use of frameworks to commission specialist advice or support.
• Experience of managing complex stakeholder arrangements to achieve positive outcomes for the organisation.

Personal Style and Behaviour

• Proactive and focused on results.
• A track record of delivery and getting things done whilst empowering individuals and teams, valuing their contribution and resolving differences without conflict.
• Articulate, dynamic, energetic, self-motivated, committed and enthusiastic.
• A team player across the organisation.
• Ability to work cooperatively and in collaboration with other stakeholders and colleagues.

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 2 indicators of effective performance

• 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

PLANNING AND ORGANISING

… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery
• Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits
• Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders
• Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard
• Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables

PROBLEM SOLVING

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

RESPONDING TO PRESSURE AND CHANGE

… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• 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 well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change

Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.

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.

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