Overview
Strategy and Communications sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing together teams with organisation-wide remits and collaboration opportunities. The work of the directorates teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross-organisational programmes, and planning for and responding to emerging events or emergencies in our city. We encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
About The Team
The London Resilience Unit supports London’s key agencies in assessing risks, reducing the likelihood or impact of those risks, and, where risk cannot be eliminated, preparing arrangements to respond, recover and learn from emergencies.
About The Role
This is a key management and leadership role at the centre of innovation in how London prepares for emergencies. It suits someone who can deliver complex, high-impact projects in a multi-agency environment.
The Trailblazer Programme is a one-year, externally funded initiative (with potential for extension) focused on embedding improvements in leadership, accountability and integration across London’s resilience system. It supports the delivery of the 2025 London resilience strategy and brings together learning from the Covid-19 and Grenfell Tower inquiry recommendations to improve London’s resilience.
As Resilience Manager (Trailblazers) you will lead the coordination of this project, overseeing planning, governance reporting and risk management. You will ensure projects align with strategic and funding requirements and deliver measurable value for funders and Londoners.
You will lead officers within the London Resilience Unit, the GLA and external stakeholders (including emergency services, local and national government, and community organisations). You will report to the Head of Governance, Assurance and Partnerships, but will work across the London Resilience Unit.
We seek someone who can bring clarity and structure to complex delivery, manage internal and external relationships, navigate governance structures and drive progress. Experience of supporting multi-agency working is essential; experience in resilience or a related sector is advantageous but not essential.
What your day will look like
* Act as the focal point for the delivery of all Trailblazer activity, ensuring coherence of delivery strands and alignment with wider resilience activity.
* Maintain oversight of project scheduling and controls to ensure delivery against milestones, management of interdependencies and budget controls.
* Use tools such as earned value analysis, risk registers and benefits realisation to support project performance and evaluation.
* Coordinate engagement with internal and external stakeholders, facilitating collaborative working and resolving problems.
* Directly manage, or liaise with contract managers, to oversee contracted services to ensure project timescales and budget criteria are met.
* Prepare and deliver clear, concise reports on project performance to senior management and stakeholders to influence decision making.
* Monitor and report on project benefits to support evaluation and sustainability of the project; contribute to wider learning and improvement across the London Resilience Unit.
The nature of London Resilience Unit's work is such that incidents may require rapid alteration of planned priorities. This role is not expected to participate in on-call arrangements but may provide support appropriate to grade and skills to the team, as delegated by the line manager.
Skills, Knowledge And Experience
You will thrive in this role if you have:
* Experience developing a programmatic approach in challenging circumstances, ideally in a public sector or multi-agency context.
* Experience identifying, analysing and mitigating risks to work programmes and using both waterfall and agile project methodologies.
* Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align stakeholders for collaborative working toward shared objectives.
* A track record in leading and influencing across teams without direct line management, creating inclusive, high-performing teams that harness diversity.
Competency Areas
Strategic Thinking
* Works with a view to the future, prioritising work in line with GLA objectives
* Briefs and prepares teams to accomplish goals and objectives
* Communicates the GLA’s strategic priorities to encourage buy-in
* Balances team needs with wider organisational needs
* Identifies synergies between team priorities and other agendas
Organisational Awareness
* Uses understanding of differences between the GLA and partners to improve working relationships
* Helps others understand the GLA and its complex environment
* Translates changing political agendas into tangible actions
* Considers the diverse needs of Londoners in formulating GLA objectives
* Helps others understand how media and external perceptions influence work
Managing and Developing Performance
* Motivates and inspires others to perform to their best
* Sets clear direction and enables prioritisation
* Agrees and monitors challenging, achievable performance objectives
* Manages performance issues effectively to maintain morale and performance
* Promotes a positive team culture that respects diversity and inclusion
Building & Managing Relationships
* Develops professional relationships
* Understands the needs of others and how to engage them
* Fosters an environment where others feel respected
* Identifies opportunities for joint working to deliver shared goals
Planning and Organising
* Priorsitises work in line with deliverables
* Creates contingency plans for changing priorities and deadlines
* Identifies sponsors/stakeholders in planning work
* Ensures work is delivered to a high standard
* Negotiates realistic timescales for delivery
Problem Solving
* Analyzes information to understand problems and proposes options
* Encourages creative problem solving and lateral thinking
* Considers different approaches and seeks input from others
Communicating and Influencing
* Encourages inclusive communication
* Influences and gains buy-in with clear arguments
* Negotiates to deliver GLA priorities
* Synthesises complex viewpoints to broker agreement
* Advocates for the GLA inside and outside the organisation
Responsible use of Resources
* Allocates resources efficiently to maximise value
* Monitors financial performance and ensures delivery within budget
* Manages contracts responsibly across suppliers
Research and Analysis
* Seeks new information sources to progress research and address gaps
* Analyses and integrates data to find insights
* Translates research outcomes into concise reports
Responding to Pressure and Change
* Maintains focus on key priorities under pressure
* Adapts to changing requirements
* Supports teams to cope with change
How to Apply
If you would like to apply, please submit the following:
* Up-to-date CV
* Personal statement (max 1500 words) addressing essential criteria
Additional guidance
* CV and Personal Statement must be under 1.5 MB each; include the job reference in file names
* Word or PDF preferred; do not include photos
* Contact details and questions about recruitment: resourcing team
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
London’s diversity is its asset; we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are underrepresented. We support flexible working and adjustments in the process. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will invite eligible candidates to interview.
Additional Information
All candidates must confirm information provided is true. False information may disqualify. DBS checks apply where required. Secondment opportunities are subject to policy criteria for internal applicants.
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