Project Manager

Guildford Borough Council

Guildford GU2 4BB, UK

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks

Full time

£42,272 - £49,755 per year

Our preferred method is online application however if you do require a hard copy application pack please contact Human Resources, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead, Guildford GU2 4BB. Telephone (01483) 444111 (24-hr). Alternatively e-mail sally.nielsen@guildford.gov.uk quoting the relevant post number. Please note that we do not accept CVs, please ensure that you complete the application form fully.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and post-holders to share this commitment. To fulfil this commitment we have robust systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers.

An exciting Project Management opportunity has come up in the Council’s Corporate Programmes team, which is the Council’s resource for delivering major projects and programmes. The Council has an ambitious programme of house building to ensure a pipeline of quality, new affordable homes for our residents. Like many local authorities, we’ve lost a significant number of our council homes through Right to Buy disposals and there is an increasing demand for additional affordable homes. We know housing is a top concern for our residents, and that we need to facilitate the continued delivery of housing.

We are the largest single provider of social housing in the Borough, providing homes to nearly 1 in 10 residents of our Borough. Our housing service is the largest social business run by the Council with an annual turnover in excess of £30 million. More importantly, we provide homes for some of the most vulnerable members of our local community.

We are looking for a Project Manager to help us deliver a number of exciting affordable housing schemes.

You will have extensive experience within the housing sector, delivering high-quality new homes, taking schemes from inception to completion. You will be a proactive, resilient and enthusiastic individual who can demonstrate excellent communication skills and a track record of successfully leading teams to deliver housing schemes on time and to budget.

What’s in it for you?

We are a diverse organisation, delivering a wide range of services and employing people with a broad range of skills. We want to attract the best staff, so we offer excellent benefits, including: a competitive salary; flexible working arrangements; an essential car user allowance; private medical insurance, currently free staff parking, Hybrid working, cycle to work scheme, payment of one professional membership per annum, mileage allowance and training and development opportunities where required.

We also provide health and wellbeing initiatives, an employee assistance program and staff discounts off a range of well-known high street shops and supermarkets.

In this role you would:

Directly project manage multiple housing-led Projects and initiatives of the Council from inception to completion, using a structured Project Management methodology
Be responsible for identifying, appraising, and progressing potential development opportunities on council-owned and speculative opportunities that can deliver new affordable housing, to be owned and managed by the Council.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Council to develop project business cases for consideration by Corporate Leadership Team and the Council’s political leadership, outlining the development opportunities for sites within the portfolio and delivery options.
Lead the selection, appointment, briefing and management of external consultants and contractors who will work with the Council to deliver projects, working closely with colleagues in the Council’s housing, legal, procurement and finance teams
Be responsible for the effective financial control of each project against agreed budgets, managing each project against its approved business plan.
Commission and scrutinise viability appraisals and cost estimates completed by appointed consultant teams, acting as “intelligent client”, and explain the results to others.
Ensure new homes comply with the Council’s design criteria, building regulations, and any other relevant quality standards and monitor contractors and consultants to ensure these standards are met.
Monitor and report on project related issues in a timely manner and where approval is required at a higher level, provide supporting briefings, options and expert advice, to permit efficient and effective decision making.
Complete relevant governance documents as required, including monthly highlight reports using the Council’s reporting system and reports for Procurement Board.
Ensure that the risks associated with both individual projects and the programme are identified at an early stage alongside strategies and actions to mitigate such risks; acting proactively to deal with risks as they are identified
Attend and represent the Council at public meetings as appropriate.

To succeed in this role you will be able to demonstrate:

You have worked within a Local Authority or Housing Association setting or have a private sector background where you have been involved in the delivery of housing, including affordable.
Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence in dealing with people
Outstanding communication and organisational skills
Ability to work independently or as part of a high-performing team

Qualifications:

Degree or equivalent technical qualification at a higher level
Driving Licence

Job Description: Attached

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Rachel Harper, Programme Manager via email: rachel.harper@guildford.gov.uk

Salary range

£42,272 - £49,755 per year