Head of Project Management

Overall purpose of role

*To provide a robust and consistent approach to the project management and delivery of construction, maintenance and building related projects in line with the Council's governance requirements, identifying, managing and reporting risks as they arise.
*To work within the Council's framework for procurement and financial controls and to ensure that project-related decisions are made in accordance with the Council's governance framework.
*To oversee and support a team of project managers and related staff to ensure projects are delivered on time, within agreed budgets and to the required level of quality, providing value for money at all stages.
*To support the Assistant Director - Projects (Assets) and deputise as required.

Job Summary

The role sits within the Projects function of the Council's Property team, which is part of the Resources Directorate. Its focus is on the management and delivery of capital works projects primarily within the Council's Corporate Estate (operational and service buildings) but also related to the schools' estate.

Key Tasks and Accountabilities:

1.To manage the assessment, prioritisation, approvals process, procurement and delivery of all capital works projects.
2.To work alongside the Head of Surveying Services to deliver all capital projects required by the Council's Corporate Asset Strategy and Capital Strategy and Schools capital programme.
3.To report to the Assistant Director - Projects (Assets) of Property on the progress, performance and risks of individual projects and overall programme, including strategic procurement, finance, Health and Safety, and other statutory compliance risks.
4.To manage an internal team of project managers and project budgets in line with approvals and delegated authorities.
5.To deliver effective change and transformation programme management.
6.To support the Assistant Director - Projects (Assets) on the project management related to the scoping and delivery of all premises related matters to achieve operational efficiencies and improve services to customers.
7.To act as the programme manager with oversight of the team responsible for the project management of a range of capital schemes, including programmes with a capital value of c £20 million utilising the Council's budget and project management systems. Also to manage the DfE funding and various grant allocations.
8.To manage and co-ordinate input from internal and external stakeholders and advisers as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
9.To lead and develop the capital programme for works to operational premises (generally excluding schools) in order to ensure that premises are suitable for delivery of services.
10.Identifying the financial, material, human resource and cultural implications of change, and engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure that resources are allocated, deadlines are met, and objectives are achieved.
11.To assist the Assistant Director - Projects (Assets) to support senior operational managers and other change project managers associated with the various service redesign / change programmes in order to deliver the objectives of the programme(s), whilst ensuring continuity of service during the implementation of service changes.
12.To lead the CYPS Capital Strategy/Pupil Place Planning Services, developing and implementing effective strategies and systems to achieve success in meeting Service objectives.
13.To consider the council's Corporate Estate, Schools and Capital Strategies and identify, prioritise, obtain approval, procure and deliver construction-related capital works projects, and to monitor and report against budget, project and aggregated programme level risks.
14.To assist the Assistant Director - Projects (Assets) to manage the budgets for all capital projects (c£40m), obtaining budget approvals, forecasting and reporting variances to the Finance team through the council's PBCS system and processes.
15.The post holder will be responsible implementing tendering and procurement processes relating to the Basic Need and other Capital Programmes.
16.To be responsible for the deployment of recognised, appropriate and robust project management techniques, including utilising the Councils' preferred project management software, actively engaging relevant stakeholders in the programme, monitoring overall progress and initiating action as required, including undertaking gap analysis.
17.Managing, supporting and developing project managers and other team members within the team and across the Council in project governance.

The post holder is accountable to the Assistant Director - Projects (Assets) and accountable for:

Project Managers and related staff
Corporate projects c£20m (capital)
Schools projects c£20m (DfE)

or variations to the structure and composition of the team as required, plus matrix management and management of fixed term staff to meet peaks in workload as necessary and externally appointed Quantity Surveyors and other technical specialists.

To undertake all responsibilities listed below:

• To operate within the Council's agreed Scheme of Delegation and in accordance with the Council's Code of Practice for Procurement.


• To ensure that all aspects of service delivery and staff management are fully in line with Council policies, procedures and legislation, particularly in relation to equalities and diversity.


• To uphold and ensure compliance with the Council's policies and procedures across the service, including customer complaints and Information Governance (including the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act, Caldicott and related security and confidentiality policies and procedures).


• To ensure that the improvements which are delivered reflect the highest professional standards and achieve the required quality standards within available budgets and are reflected in a positive trend in user satisfaction.


• To oversee effective systems for the management of capital projects taking account of value for money, effectiveness of the project and effectiveness of the design.


• To oversee the preparation and development of feasibility studies and client briefs for capital projects in consultation with stakeholders and to ensure that the effectiveness of projects in contributing to improving the corporate estate or school improvement is properly assessed.


• To oversee the preparation of bids to DCSF and other government departments and agencies (eg Heritage Lottery Fund) for capital resources.


• To ensure that all revenue and capital budgets are managed in accordance with the Council's procedures.


• To meet or exceed personal, programme and project level objectives, identifying and reporting risks as they arise.


• To manage and develop the project management team, including ensuring all necessary support and training is provided, objectives are set, and appraisals carried out, and to manage individual and team performance against agreed objectives.


• To manage the team's budget within agreed parameters.