Strategy and Communications

Strategy and Communications sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing together several teams with organisation‑wide remits and mutual collaboration opportunities. The work of the directorate’s teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross‑organisational programmes, and ensuring we plan for and can respond to emerging events or emergencies in our city.

About the Team

The Major Sports Events Manager is responsible for managing GLA’s involvement in the portfolio of international major sports events that take place in London and for overseeing the development and delivery of the GLA’s major sports events strategy.

About the Role

A key fundamental of the role is to act as the day‑to‑day lead for the multitude of major sports events that take place across the city, and to manage GLA’s relationships with sporting organisations and other key partners. The role involves working closely with the Mayor’s Office and Senior Managers on key GLA policies relating to the Major Sports Events portfolio, and forging excellent relationships with senior people across international and national sports federations and national governing bodies of sport. Successful candidates will need to start the role by 5th January 2026.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of managing high‑profile projects either in the public sector or in a commercial contract‑management setting, and first‑hand experience of grant/contract negotiation and financial and performance monitoring.
• Significant knowledge and experience of working in the sports industry in a management role.
• Knowledge of the structure of London government, in particular the respective roles of local authorities; the Mayor and the GLA Group; and national government. A good understanding of how sport is managed and administered in London and nationally.
• Experience of operating in a politically sensitive environment and handling communications in this environment.

Behavioural Competencies

Stakeholder Focus

• Consults with, listens to and understands the needs of those our work impacts; and uses this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.
• Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear.
• Presents GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders.
• Delivers a timely and accurate service.
• Understands differing needs of stakeholders and adapts own service accordingly.
• Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve GLA’s service to Londoners.

Planning and Organising

• Thinking ahead, managing time priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables.
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones.
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work.
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard.
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met.

Building and Managing Relationships

• 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.

Communicating and Influencing

• Presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.
• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, in both verbal and written communication.
• Persuades others, using evidence‑based knowledge and modifying approach to deliver message effectively.
• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way.
• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally.

Strategic Thinking

• Using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term, and turning these into a compelling vision for action.
• Works with a view to the future, prioritising own and others’ work in line with GLA objectives.
• Briefs and prepares team to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Communicates GLA’s strategic priorities in a compelling and convincing manner, encouraging buy‑in.
• Balances own team’s needs with wider organisational needs.
• Identifies synergies between team priorities and other relevant agendas.

Decision Making

• Forms sound, evidence‑based judgments, makes choices, assesses risks to delivery, and takes accountability for results.
• Takes decisions as necessary on the basis of the information available.
• Makes decisions without unnecessarily referring to others.
• Involves and consults internal and external stakeholders early in decisions that impact them.
• Identifies potential barriers to decision making and initiates action to move a situation forward.
• Demonstrates awareness of GLA’s decision‑making processes and how to use them.

GLA Competency Framework Guidelines

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

Location

This role is based at City Hall, Royal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE) but the team often convenes at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

How to Apply

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5 MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (e.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345”).

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.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the role, contact the hiring manager, Laura Pierce: laura.pierce@london.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk.

Assessment Process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment on 3rd December 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 under‑represented 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. If you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. 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

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.

Secondment Opportunity

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed‑term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying:

• On a permanent contract or a fixed‑term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
• Successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role;
• At least 18 months service with the GLA.

If you meet the above criteria, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

For further information, see Secondment Policy and Procedure. If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed‑term contract, which is due to end before the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment. If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.

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.