Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport and economic strategies and for the effective implementation of the London Plan. The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

About the team

London is a city recognised as the global capital for arts and culture. Our theatres, music venues, museums and galleries are renowned across the world. Our creative industries are vital to London’s success and the recording studios, rehearsal spaces, artists' workspaces, grassroots music, and LGBTQ+ venues all contribute to this success.

The Culture, Creative Industries and 24-Hour London portfolio at the Greater London Authority focuses on supporting London’s cultural and creative economy, strengthening cultural infrastructure, and ensuring the city functions as a global, inclusive 24‑hour city. This includes overseeing major projects such as Creative Enterprise Zones, London Borough of Culture, the Fourth Plinth commission, and initiatives that support the night‑time economy. Alongside programme delivery, the team is preparing for devolved powers of licensing to the Mayor — working with boroughs, the police, industry and communities to ensure that licensing and regulatory frameworks support vibrancy, safety and economic growth while balancing local impacts.

The Culture, Creative Industries and 24-Hour London Unit, in partnership with teams across the Greater London Authority (GLA), is leading an exciting new government-backed pilot to establish strategic licensing powers for the Mayor of London. This high-profile initiative is a cornerstone of the Government’s and Mayor’s shared growth agenda—unlocking opportunities for London’s hospitality, cultural and nighttime economies.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Culture, Creative Industries and 24 Hour London (CCI24) Unit delivering the Mayor’s and the Strategic Licensing policy.

You’ll be at the heart of a fast-paced, cross-organisational effort to design and implement new licensing powers—with the ambition to launch by Autumn 2026.

This is a unique opportunity to:

• Support and shape a new policy and regulatory function within the GLA

• Drive innovation in how licensing supports London’s economic and cultural vibrancy

• Work with senior stakeholders across government, industry, and the city

• Make a visible impact on how London works, plays, and grows

We’re looking for a dynamic and driven Data Scientist to be part of the delivery of this major project by providing high quality information and advice to monitor and evaluate the implementation and service delivery of the Strategic Licensing pilot , and to further develop the GLA’s reputation as an authoritative and well-regarded source of reliable information and data on these issues.

An important part of the role will be to identify and experiment with new data sets and data science tools as needed to support delivery of data science projects, and to share this knowledge with the team or with the public.

What your day will look like

• Using data science techniques to generate insights that support the design and delivery of London’s new Strategic Licensing powers

• Working closely with policy leads, analysts and external partners to translate complex questions into clear, actionable data projects

• Analysing large, complex and multi-source datasets (including time-series data) to understand trends in London’s licensing, cultural and night-time economy

• Developing and maintaining reproducible data pipelines, ensuring high-quality, regularly updated analysis that informs decision-making

• Applying statistical modelling and machine learning techniques to evaluate the impact of the Strategic Licensing pilot

• Exploring and experimenting with new datasets, tools and methods to improve how licensing data is used across the GLA

• Creating compelling data visualisations and communicating findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Collaborating with London boroughs, consultants and industry stakeholders to innovate in the use of data across the licensing system

• Contributing to London’s open data community by publishing datasets, sharing insights and promoting best practice

• Supporting and mentoring colleagues by sharing knowledge on coding, data science tools and analytical techniques

• Participating in cross-functional project teams, helping to shape a high-profile, city-wide policy programme

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Ability to understand business and policy problems and to address them using data characterised by high-volume, high dimensionality and from multiple sources – particularly time-series data.

• Experience using predictive, statistical, or other mathematical techniques including supervised and unsupervised machine learning (including the ability to determine the best technique to solve a particular problem).

• An excellent grasp of standard statistical techniques for data analysis and exploration, such as regression and cluster analysis, and as well as experience using these techniques to solve real-world problems in a work environment.

• Strong proficiency in applying statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms using a variety of software/codebases e.g. R, GIS, Python to build reproducible processes.

• Ability to identify and effectively communicate data stories using data visualisation techniques and software, and quickly research and learn new programming/modelling tools and techniques

• A postgraduate degree in a quantitative field strongly related to data science, i.e. one that involves applied mathematics/statistics and coding or equivalent professional experience.

Behavioural Competencies

Stakeholder Focus

… is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.

Why is it important?

Stakeholders are anyone (internal or external) on whom our work impacts. We need to manage their expectations, respond to their aspirations and use diverse views to shape our work and deliver our vision for London.

Level 1

• Listens to understand requirements without making assumptions

• Demonstrates an enthusiastic and ‘can do attitude’ to all requests

• Provides timely, accurate and personalised responses

• Provides a polite and helpful first point of contact for stakeholders

• Learns from feedback to improve personal service to others

Planning and Organisation

… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Why is it important?

Success is measured by results. We will be judged by our ability to turn ideas and opportunities into concrete actions, working in partnership with others to deliver clear outcomes for Londoners in priority areas.

Level 2

• 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

Problem Solving

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Why is it important?

Our work involves breaking new ground. We need to understand the challenges the GLA, the GLA Group and other partners face and respond innovatively with new ideas and ways of working together.

Level 2

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully

• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems

• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving

• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems

• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

Research and Analysis

… is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.

Why is it important?

The GLA has a strong reputation as a hub for London-related research. Quality information and insight will help us develop and substantiate robust policy and decisions which will lead to tangible benefits for Londoners.

Level 2

• Proactively seeks new information sources to progress research agendas

• and address gaps in knowledge

• Grasps limitations of or assumptions behind data sources, disregarding

• those that lack quality

• Analyses and integrates qualitative and quantitative data to find new insights

• Translates research outcomes into concise, meaningful reports

• Identifies relevant and practical research questions for the future

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

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• 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.

• If the number of applications received is high, we will review based on Research and Analysis Competency.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB 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.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Martine Wauben would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at martine.wauben@london.gov.uk.

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

Is this role eligible for sponsorship?

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances. Please contact the hiring manager if you wish to discuss this further.

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.

The interview/assessment date is expected to be during the weeks commencing 20 & 27 July 2026.

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 underrepresented 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.

Please note 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. Please note, should 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. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

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

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.

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; and

• at least 18 months service with the GLA

If you do meet the criteria listed above, 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.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment. For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT: 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.