Salary: Grade: 14 (acting up) - the role is substantively Grade 13 with an acting up allowance to Grade 14 – this acting up arrangement will be in place until 31 March 2026, after which the postholder may revert to a Grade 13 Salary: £91,268 (G13) – £98,873 (G14)
Interview date: 4th and 5th of September 2025
Head of Strategy & Policy
Grade: 14 (acting up) - the role is substantively Grade 13 with an acting up allowance to Grade 14 – this acting up arrangement will be in place until at least 31 March 2026, after which the postholder may revert to a Grade 13
Location: City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE
Contract type: Permanent
Directorate: Housing & Land
Deadline for applications: 23:59, Sunday 17 August 2025
About the Housing & Land directorate
The GLA’s Housing & Land directorate is responsible for the Mayor’s plans to deliver new and improved homes and strong communities. Working closely with boroughs, housing associations, developers and other partners, we manage the Mayor’s housing investment programmes, commissioned services and land and property assets to support the supply of affordable homes, job creation and regeneration.
About the Strategy & Policy team
The Strategy and Policy team is responsible for the Mayor’s housing strategy for London and for developing policy across a broad range of areas including new housing supply, specialist housing, homelessness, rough sleeping, building safety and the private rented sector. In relation to new housing, the team works closely with planning and regeneration colleagues at a strategic level in the pursuit of mayoral and government ambitions for housing delivery. It also leads on policy development andsupportsgovernment engagement for major housing programmes, including the new10-yearSocial and Affordable Homes Programme, which is in a crucial stage of development.
About the role
You will lead the Strategy & Policy team to drive forward the Mayor’s priorities for housing and ensure that Londoners have access to safe, decent and affordable homes. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, you will be responsible for a team of 20 to deliver the Mayor’s Housing Strategy and respond to London’s housing crisis. You will work closely with the Deputy Mayor for Housing & Residential Development and the wider mayoral team to provide advice on strategy and policy, and support broad engagement with stakeholders – especially government. You will also work closely with senior leaders across Housing & Land, the GLA Group, local and national government and the wider housing sector to support delivery of key housing objectives and programmes through strategic advice, policy development and analysis. You will need to cultivate these relationships to support effective delivery of the Mayor’s goals.
We are looking for somebody with the ability to be a visible and proactive leader for one of the Mayor’s highest priority areas. You will need the skills personally to analyse and shape the detail of what is required, but also to lead a high-performing team and make the most of their capacity to fulfil a very broad work programme. Ideally you would have relevant subject-matter experience and expertise, and in any case you will need to demonstrate success in leading this kind of strategy and policy work in a high-profile, complex and stakeholder-focused environment. Proven skills in problem-solving, judgement and prioritisation, as well as the ability to operate effectively in a political environment, will also be important. You will be a key senior leader both in the directorate (playing an active role in its management team) and for the GLA more widely.
Skills, knowledge and experience
In your application, you should set out how your skills and experience demonstrate that you meet the following criteria, which are linked to key competencies in the job description:
1.Demonstrable success in leading relevant strategy and policy work in a high-profile, complex and stakeholder-focused environment; and an ability toprovide expert advice in a complex political environment
2.Skilled at developing and using a wide network of senior internal and external relationships to facilitate cross-team and cross-organisation working, including with government and pan-London organisations like London Councils and the G15
3.Experience of leading a team to achieve short-term and long-term objectives amid competing priorities; and experience of leading through change, contributing to corporate priorities and taking steps to improve diversity and inclusion
4.Relevantsubject-matter experience and expertise
If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:
- An online application
-Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above.
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
If you wish to talk to someone about the role, please contact Tim Steer – Executive Director of Housing & Land at the GLA – attim.steer@london.gov.uk. Tim will be away from 4 August to 12 August inclusive.
Once you have submitted an application, it will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment. The interview/assessment dates are likely to be the 4 th and 5 th of September 2025.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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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