Principal Communications Officer - Mayor of London

Salary: £56, 655 per annum

Grade: 10

Contract type: Permanent

Reference: PCO1

Interview date: Week commencing 8 August 2022 

Application closing date: Sunday 24 July 2022 at 23:59 GMT

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a new embedded communications team within the GLA’s Skills and Employment Unit.

The GLA’s Skills and Employment Unit fulfils the Mayor’s commitment to support Londoners into good work and to lead happier, healthier lives - building a better London for everyone.

The Skills and Employment Unit is responsible for over £380m of skills and employment funding each year, and this has supported half a million Londoners to access training and support since 2019. This includes the Adult Education Budget, European Social Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Mayor’s Academies Programme, No Wrong Door, Skills Capital Programmes, Multiply and Skills Bootcamps for Londoners. The Unit has also recently launched a new flagship marketing initiative, the Mayor’s Jobs and Skills Campaign.

The GLA is looking for a Principal Communications Officer to oversee the development and delivery of a communications strategy for the Skills and Employment Unit to promote the skills and employment programmes delivered by the Mayor and key partners, and to increase Londoners’ awareness of skills provision and participation in adult learning.

The postholder will line manage two Senior Communications Officers and oversee the Skills and Employment Unit’s external communications, including announcements and set-piece moments, marketing (including the Mayor’s flagship Jobs and Skills Campaign), recovery communications, stakeholder and provider communications, flagship events and initiatives, reactive communications, the Jobs and Skills pages of the GLA’s website, social media engagement, and improving external communications skills and understanding across the Unit.

These posts will be in the Unit’s Strategy, Policy and Relationships team, which is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Mayor’s skills and employment policy and programmes, overseeing stakeholder and partner relationships, and delivering the Mayor’s manifesto commitments.

The postholder will work closely with the GLA’s press, marketing, digital and external relations teams, the Mayor’s Office and Deputy Mayors’ Offices, as well as other GLA and partner teams to deliver communications objectives.

Ideal candidates will have demonstrable experience of the development and delivery of communications strategies, a strong track record of overseeing a range of external communications activity, and proven people and resource management skills. A strong understanding of London’s skills and employment landscape is preferred.

This job is ‘politically restricted’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

This role will be based at the London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL). 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. In addition to a good salary package, we 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.

If you have a question about the role, please contact cameron.tait@london.gov.uk or a question about the application process, please email glarecruitment@engageats.co.uk quoting reference PCO1.

Please note we do not accept CVs for this role. All applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. To apply and to view a copy of the Job Description and Person specification, please click the "Apply Now" button below.

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