The London Heritage Quarter (London HQ) is an alliance of Business Improvement Districts covering Victoria, Victoria Westminster, Whitehall and Northbank. The area stretches from Belgravia to the Royal Courts of Justice and along the Strand and Victoria Embankment to Aldwych. It includes major London landmarks such as Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square. Encompassing the majority of the historic processional route through Central London and major transport hubs, the area is also home to a large number of corporate occupiers, office workers and Government Departments.

We play a fundamental role in generating, promoting and executing projects that aim to support economic growth through placemaking and create a vibrant destination for those who work, visit or live in the area. Creating a high-quality public realm and environment is at the heart of what we do.

The London HQ Executive Team has responsibility for various BID areas: Northbank, Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall, and work together in the delivery of each BID’s Business Plan objectives.

With the ever-changing political landscape, BIDs are becoming firmly established as a key delivery agent working on behalf of the private sector. Influencing key government decision making processes and lobbying for change are becoming focal points of activity within the BID agenda.

We are recruiting a Head of Placemaking who wants to influence and deliver an exciting programme of placemaking and sustainability projects.

If you are looking for a change in your current role, and you are looking within the salary bracket of £60,000 to £65,000 per annum, and want to know more please read further.

This role is responsible for:-

• Placemaking Strategy & Project Delivery by overseeing and coordinating our strategy development and advocacy, including public realm design and planning, wayfinding, activation, retail curation, buildings illumination and place management;
• Developing wholistic area delivery of high quality public realm which promotes active travel and creates a welcoming and vibrant public realm;
• Responsible for the day to day management of Placemaking team;
• Coordinating the setting, measuring and reporting of key performance indicators with our Director of Placemaking;
• Development of transport and placemaking consultation responses, in collaboration with the Public Affairs Director;
• Influencing design, management and activation approaches to key placemaking projects across the London HQ footprint and neighbouring areas;
• Commissioning and leading research to influence and inform strategic thinking on the future of south Westminster and the West End;
• To work with Westminster City Council and Transport for London to develop key public realm projects within an overarching area plan, including but not exclusively: - Greening Victoria, People Wanted Victoria and Whitehall, The Arc (St James Station) and Kings Scholar Passage). Strand Aldwych, Villiers Street, Strand and linking side streets. Riverfront from Blackfriars to Atterbury Street (Tate Britain)
• Management of public realm projects ensuring delivery to time, quality and within budgets of 4 BIDs;

The above outlined responsibilities are not exhaustive and you may be required to carry out other tasks that are appropriate to your role in addition to these.

Our ideal candidate will be educated to degree level and be professionally qualified and experienced in a relevant discipline (e.g., urban design, transport planning, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental or sustainability) or demonstrate technical experience in a relevant discipline, and have:

• A good understanding of public realm design and placemaking principles and processes;
• High levels of written and verbal communication, advocacy and influencing skills appropriate for a complex and dynamic stakeholder environment;
• Proven record of taking personal responsibility and accountability for delivery of projects, where there are multiple interfaces, and delivering to time, budget and quality;
• Good knowledge of highways, transportation and Healthy Streets disciplines;
• Knowledge of Business Improvement District purpose and legal context;
• Understanding of project and programme management methodologies and their practical application in a transport setting;
• Good knowledge and understanding of project control tools/techniques project budgeting, procurement processes and contract management in a project setting;
• Grasp of local authority elected Member committee and Cabinet Member approvals;
• A good understanding of the appropriate legal frameworks including, planning, highways, environmental, transport, health and safety and construction and design management;
• Personal responsibility and accountability for leading and managing teams in a matrix environment, across organisations;

Our ideal candidate will have the following experience:-

• Qualified and experienced in the planning and delivery of complex projects.
• Experienced in risk management and management of suppliers;
• Managing project and programme budgets to ensure they are not over budget and delivered within the agreed timeframe;
• Working on large scale and transformational public realm projects alongside senior managers in both the public and private sectors;

You will be encouraged to realise your full potential as a valued member of staff. Everyone who works across the London HQ alliance of BIDs contributes to our success. By working together we will stimulate innovation and generate a more exciting and rewarding environment in which everyone will feel valued and respected.