Salary: £79,159 - £85,683. ‘We are committed to attracting high-calibre candidates and recognise experience and expertise in this field therefore we are open to consider a higher offer to exceptional candidates with the right skills and experience.’
Interview date: w/c 24th March 2025 (may be subject to change)
About the role
In less than a decade, a new £1.7b superhub station will open at Old Oak Common, bringing High Speed 2, Elizabeth Line and Great Western mainline services into the heart of one of the most under-developed, yet fascinating, parts of London. Set to be one of the most connected parts of West London, Old Oak has the potential to be an internationally significant project and have a transformational impact on our city.
With approximately 70 acres of publicly owned development land around the new station, we are putting in place plans for a renewed and truly exemplary urban district to emerge – one that showcases environmental, social and economic innovation and which delivers genuinely inclusive growth for existing and future communities alike. It is this challenge that the Mayor of London has set for us at the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation. We have a single mission - to make that happen, and to ensure this happens we now need to expand the leadership of our development team.
What we are looking for
We are seeking a new Head of Infrastructure to join the OPDC Delivery team, a key leadership position. They will be responsible for the infrastructure programme for the regeneration of Old Oak in addition to a range of projects in Park Royal. We need an experienced and energetic professional to join a truly exceptional multi-disciplinary team.
Working closely with colleagues in government, the GLA, our three host boroughs and the development industry, you will have a leading role in driving forward one of London’s largest regeneration projects.
You will have experience of leading infrastructure projects within a regeneration context, working within a complex stakeholder environment which will require strong influencing, diplomacy and collaboration skills.
Leading and managing a small internal team and a wider consultant team to develop the infrastructure programme, which consists of new bridges, transport and highways improvements, utilities, public realm improvements, low carbon energy projects and sustainability workstreams, you will be able to think both strategically and in detail to understand the infrastructure requirements across the phased delivery of the development programme, whilst demonstrating agility and adaptability where required.
Ideal candidates will have experience of public/private sector partnerships and be confident communicators, excellent relationship managers and share our commitment and enthusiasm for regeneration. Experience of land assembly and compulsory purchase would also be helpful.
Reporting directly to the Director of Development you will need strong organisational skills and personal resilience to thrive in a busy and demanding environment but, for the right candidate, this role offers a highly visible and important leadership role with further career development.
Principal accountabilities
* Provide infrastructure expertise and lead the infrastructure team to support the Executive Director of Delivery, Director of Development and Director of Projects and other members of the Delivery Senior Management Team.
* Lead in the preparation of delivery briefs and the subsequent appointment of delivery consultants/contractors and provide input with respect to the wider professional teams.
* Provide procurement and contract administration to infrastructure projects including formulating procurement strategies, selecting and procuring partners and robustly managing appointments and contracts within budget limits and approvals.
* Lead on the development or inception of new infrastructure projects in line with the Development Corporations objective to secure the regeneration of its area.
* Manage the relationship with key stakeholders such as Network Rail, HS2, TfL, host Boroughs and utility providers to ensure strong levels of engagement and delivery of high-quality infrastructure.
* Maintain regular and accurate reporting in line with OPDC’s governance processes including OPDC Board, the Development, Infrastructure, and Sustainability Committee, Delivery Programme Board and the Senior Management Team including analysis and evaluation of progress, with respect to the current and forecast status on assigned projects. Identify potential difficulties and risks with project delivery, recommend and/or take appropriate remedial action as necessary.
* Use commercial awareness and expertise to critically appraise the Corporation’s requirements and ensure it gets best value for money from the market by advising on the use of frameworks, firms and procurement strategies to extract best value.
* Manage staff and resources allocated to the job in accordance with the OPDC’s policies and code of ethics and standards, including health and safety.
Person specification
Technical requirements/experience/qualifications
* Postgraduate degree (or equivalent experience) in relevant discipline such as Civil Engineering, Infrastructure or Transportation.
* Considerable experience and a proven track record of developing, leading and managing comparable design related projects or programmes in a complex urban environment, which display the highest standards of design quality.
* Strong level of commercial awareness and experience of the development process.
* Thorough knowledge and experience of project management and project control techniques, including budget and project planning, financing, and risk management.
Building & Managing Relationships
…is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance
* Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support OPDC objectives.
* Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities.
* Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict.
* Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect.
* Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnerships.
Strategic Thinking
…is 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.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance
* Translates OPDC vision and strategy into practical and tangible plans for own team or delivery partners.
* Consistently takes account of the wider implications of team’s actions for the OPDC.
* Encourages self and others to think about organisation’s long-term potential.
* Informs strategy development by identifying gaps in current delivery or evidence.
* Takes account of a wide range of public and partner needs to inform team’s work.
Decision Making
…is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance
* Makes sound decisions quickly on behalf of the GLA when a situation requires intervention.
* Takes responsibility for team decisions, providing rationale when those decisions are questioned.
* Involves senior stakeholders early in decisions that impact them.
* Analyses organisational risks associated with decisions, including those with long term impacts, before committing to action.
* Encourages others in the team to make decisions in their own area of expertise, take appropriate risks and learn from experience.
The OPDC Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: OPDC/GLA competency framework.
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability, and are especially keen to hear from applicants whose experience and work, in and out of paid employment, can bring a deep understanding of working in a multi-cultural, dynamic and diverse environment.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.
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.
At OPDC we are dedicated to empowering team members through ongoing learning opportunities and professional development initiatives. Our commitment to learning and development means that we will provide you with the resources and support to expand your skills and grow your career.
Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.
This role is based at One West Point, 7 Portal Way, North Acton, London W3 6RT
OPDC 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.
Application Process & Additional Information
Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role.
If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:
* 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 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘Additional Documents’ 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).
Applications submitted without a Covering Letter will not be considered.
Application closing date Friday 07 th March 2025 at 23:59 GMT.
Interviews will take place at: One West Point, 7 Portal Way, North Acton, London W3 6RT on w/c 24 th March 2025 (may be subject to change).
Please note, 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.
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