Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Job Description

• To lead the day-to-day corporate leadership, management and performance of the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC), ensuring the organisation is equipped to deliver the ambitions of the Corporate Plan and the transformation of Oxford Street. 

  • To serve as the principal internal leader of the Corporation, providing oversight and integration across corporate strategy, policy, governance, communications, marketing, fundraising, commercial partnerships, inward investment and place activation functions. 

    • To lead the day-to-day coordination of OSDC’s relationship with the Mayor's Office and wider GLA family, ensuring effective alignment with Mayoral priorities and supporting the CEO in maintaining sernior strategic relationships across the GLA family. 

      • To drive organisational performance, accountability and continuous improvement across all services, fostering a high-performing, inclusive and delivery-focused culture. 

      • To deputise fully for the Chief Executive Officer as required, providing leadership, representation and decision-making authority across the Corporation.

Supporting the Strategic Leadership of OSDC

• Work in close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer to provide cohesive leadership of the Corporation and delivery of the Mayor's vision for Oxford Street.

• Translate strategic objectives into clear organisational priorities, plans and performance outcomes.

• Provide leadership and coordination across Executive functions to ensure delivery of corporate objectives and effective cross-functional working.

• Act as Deputy to the CEO and lead the organisation in the CEO's absence.

Corporate Delivery

• Lead the integration and corporate oversight of OSDC’s major programmes and priorities, ensuring that organisational activity is aligned behind the successful delivery of the Oxford Street transformation and wider business plan.

• Drive effective cross-functional working, identify and manage key dependencies, and intervene to resolve barriers or issues that could impact delivery.

• Provide the CEO, Executive Committee and Board with clear assurance and insight on the delivery of corporate priorities, major programmes and strategic outcomes. 

Organisational Leadership and Performance

• Lead the internal management and operational performance of the Corporation, ensuring delivery against corporate objectives, budgets and key performance indicators.

• Establish and maintain a high-performance culture characterised by accountability, pace, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Oversee organisational performance monitoring and reporting arrangements, ensuring risks, issues and opportunities are identified and proactively managed.

• Provide visible leadership to staff and contribute to the development of an inclusive, engaged and values-led organisational culture.

Strategy, Policy and Governance

• Oversee the development and implementation of OSDC's strategy, business planning and policy framework.

• Working alongside the Chief Finance Officer, ensure effective corporate governance arrangements are maintained and that the Corporation operates to the highest standards of transparency, accountability and public service excellence.

• Support the Board and Executive Committee through the provision of high-quality advice, performance reporting and strategic insight.

• Lead organisational responses to emerging policy, political and stakeholder issues affecting the Corporation.

Mayoral and Government Relations

• Act as the Corporation's principal day-to-day relationship lead with the Mayor's Office and wider GLA family, supporting the delivery of Mayoral priorities and ensuring effective coordination of key business matters.

• Build and maintain productive working relationships across the GLA Group, government departments, local authorities and strategic partners.

• Provide politically aware advice to the CEO, Board and Executive Team on issues affecting the Corporation and its objectives.

Commercial, Investment and Partnerships

• Lead the development and delivery of the Corporation's commercial strategy, ensuring the identification and realisation of opportunities that support the long-term sustainability and success of Oxford Street.

• Oversee commercial partnerships, sponsorship, fundraising and investment activities, securing resources and strategic relationships that contribute to organisational objectives.

• Promote a commercially minded culture across the organisation, balancing public value with financial sustainability.

• Support the development of Oxford Street as a globally competitive retail, hospitality, leisure and visitor destination.

Communications, Marketing and Activation

•  Lead the Corporation’s approach to communications, marketing, destination  promotion and activation, ensuring these functions collectively strengthen Oxford Street’s reputation.

• Oversee stakeholder engagement, consultation and advocacy programmes to strengthen support for OSDC's work.

• Ensure consistent and effective organisational messaging, reputation management and external communications.

• Support the CEO in positioning Oxford Street as a leading global destination for investment, culture and innovation.

Leadership and People

• Promote an organisational culture that reflects OSDC's values and commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality.

• Coach, support and develop senior leaders, building organisational capability and succession resilience.

• Champion staff engagement, wellbeing and organisational development initiatives.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous learning across the organisation.

Key contacts:

Strategy, Policy and Governance

Communications, Marketing and Events

Commercial Partnerships

Fundraising

Economy, Culture and Investment

• Substantial experience of operating at Chief Officer or equivalent senior executive level within a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation operating in high-profile,  politically sensitive and publicly accountable environment.

• Proven experience of leading and managing a significant organisational function, with responsibility for developing organisational performance, operational management and delivery of major strategic priorities. .

• Demonstrable experience of operating as part of a senior executive team, contributing to collective decision making, organisational strategy, risk managament and the resolution of complex cross-organisational issues. 

• Experience of commercial development, investment, fundraising, partnership building and income generation.

• Experience of leading communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement or public affairs functions.

• Significant experience of advising, influencing and working directly with Boards, elected representatives , and/or equivalent governance bodies, including operating within a publicly scrutinised environment.

Skills and abilities

• Outstanding leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to build confidence and credibility across a broad range of stakeholders.

• Strong strategic thinking and organisational planning capability.

• Ability to balance strategic leadership with operational delivery and performance management.

• Excellent political awareness, judgement and decision-making skills.

• Highly developed communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

• Strong commercial acumen combined with a commitment to public value.

• Visible, authentic and inclusive leader.

• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong commitment to collective leadership.

• Highly resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating in ambiguous environments.

• Personally credible, politically astute and emotionally intelligent.

• Demonstrates integrity, accountability and sound judgement.

• Champions diversity, inclusion and equality in both organisational culture and external delivery.

• Reasonable adjustment: Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.