Company Description
The South Westminster BIDs 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 includes major London landmarks Buckingham Palace, 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 South Westminster BID Executive Team currently has responsibility for various BID areas: Northbank, Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall. We will also work with the wider teams in the delivery of the BID team’s Business Plan objectives for these BID areas.
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 lobby for change are becoming a focal point of activity within the BID agenda. The footprint encompasses some of London’s greatest assets with our boundary spanning from Trafalgar Square, along the Strand and Victoria Embankment to Aldwych.
Position
The South Westminster BID is offering this career opportunity to participate in the transformation of the area.
You will join one of Britain’s largest Business Improvement Districts in one of its newly created Place Making roles. Our aim is to make this area of London the world’s first choice for visitors, businesses and investors. This role will be critical to realising our aim by shaping the experience of visitors to the West End through the delivery, advocacy and influencing the final design of key services for BID members and visitors to the Northbank.
You will be reporting to the Operations Director and will be influencing and delivering an exciting programme of placemaking projects and services. The role is for a fixed term circa to 2023 years in line with the BID renewal process.
Your key accountabilities will include:
- Managing the Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall district placemaking strategy development and advocacy, including public realm design and planning, wayfinding, animation, retail curation, buildings illumination and place-management;
- Business Improvement District member and stakeholder engagement and 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 South Westminster BIDs footprints;
- Commissioning and leading research to influence and inform strategic thinking on the future of the West End;
- To work with WCC and TfL to client and commission key public realm projects (including but not exclusively Greening Victoria, Whitehall Strategy, The Arc (St James Station) and Kings Scholar Passage)to ensure their delivery to time, quality and within budget;
- Management of public realm projects including the curation and activation of the spaces;
- Build positive relationships and articulate the People Wanted vision and business strategy, both internally to the team, with members and key external stakeholders and partners;
- Delivery projects in line with WCC Policies including Climate Emergency and a sustainable future;
- Work with our businesses on freight consolidation in the area and across South Westminster and promote active travel;
- Drafting and presenting well written and timely reports for project and strategic boards;
- Supporting and advising the Chief Executive, Placemaking and Operations Director and Board Members in assembling funding towards key projects;
- Responsible for the day to day management of project governance, reporting and control structures, with issues, risks and decisions escalated through the agreed current internal and also partnership arrangements as appropriate;
- Coordinating with the Placemaking and Operations Director on setting, measuring and reporting on key performance indicators.
- Coordinating with the Public Affairs Directors to ensure members and key stakeholders are continuously and fully briefed on key projects;
- Responsible for compliance with relevant Health and Safety legislation, resolving arising issues or escalating as appropriate and ensuring safe delivery;
- Select and assign staff, ensuring equal employment opportunities in recruitment, training and promotions.
- Direct and drive performance management culture within the teams ensuring that staff meet their targets in line with the business needs;
- Coach the team to improve their skills and knowledge and help them work efficiently and effectively;
- Contribute to the continuous business improvement process and to the meeting of business objectives;
- To be an ambassador for the company at all times internally and externally;
- Comply with Health & Safety Policy and safe working practices, ensure responsibility for safety and discipline in work area and report accidents and ‘near misses’ in accordance with defined safety procedures, be the fire warden and manager health & safety for the organisation;
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.
Generic Accountabilities
- Planning and organising requires integration of limited range of activities and resources;
- Flexibility to take some initiative but within well-established procedures
- There is a requirement to understand basic knowledge of business improvement districts and how they function;
- Supervision not close and reporting at regular intervals during the work sequence;
Limits of authority & Freedom to act
As directed by the Placemaking and Operations Director
Requirements
Qualifications
Professionally qualified and experienced in a relevant discipline (public realm designer, transport planner, civil engineer, Chartered surveyor, RTPI or equivalent).
Job Function Technical Knowledge and Skills
- A good understanding of public realm design 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, public realm and placemaking disciplines;
- Knowledge of Business Improvement District purpose and legal context;
- Good knowledge and understanding of project and programme management methodologies and their practical application in a transport setting;
- Good knowledge and understanding of project controls tools and techniques;
- Good knowledge and understanding of project budgeting, procurement processes and contract management in a project setting;
- Understanding 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;
Experience
- Qualified and experienced in the planning and delivery of complex projects.
- Experienced in risk management and management of suppliers;
- Experience of managing project and programme budgets;
- Experience of working on large scale and transformational public realm projects.
- Experience of working with senior managers in both the public and private sectors;
Other information
General Standards and Expectations
At all stages in the employment lifecycle – from recruitment to exiting the business – we seek to gain competitive advantage from leveraging increased diversity within our employee population.
You will be encouraged to realise your full potential as a valued member of the Company. Everyone who works for South Westminster BID 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.
Therefore, throughout our operations, you will be treated fairly and equally, irrespective of sex, marital status, sexuality, gender identity, age, colour, race, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, working pattern, educational or social background.
All employees must accept personal responsibility for compliance with the standard of conduct and align behaviour with the values of the Company. As an employee there are common standards of accountabilities that we would expect you to adhere to:-
- Perform duties with care, diligence, professionalism and integrity;
- Strive for the highest ethical standards, not just the minimum required to meet legal or procedural requirements but to deliver outstanding quality services to our customers (internal as well as external);
- Observe appropriate acts, regulations, determinations and lawful directions that relate to the performance of official duties;
- Treat colleagues with courtesy and be sensitive to their rights, duties and aspirations;
- Not take or seek to take improper advantage of any official information acquired in the course of official duties;
- Behave in a manner that maintains or enhances the reputation and professional standing of South Westminster BID;
- Complying with company Health, safety and environmental protection policies and procedures that are relevant to your work;
- You are required to keep information relating to the business affairs of South Westminster BID, its clients and related third parties confidential;
- Avoid the potential for any perceived or real conflict of interest or allegation of bribery or compromise;
- In return, we are committed to providing a flexible, safe environment free from discrimination, bullying and harassment in which all employees are treated as equals and with respect.
Equality & Diversity
We value equal opportunities and diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability status.
Salary offered will be based on your experience.