project manager Remote
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About the job
Job summary
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity - Department for Education
We are looking for up to 10 Project Managers to be responsible for supporting projects after they have been selected to join the pipeline for the school rebuilding programme. Initially this will include supporting pre-feasibility work on approved projects to resolve or address complex site and project specific issues around ownership, viability, and logistics to allow them to move through the feasibility and procurement stages quickly.
When projects have been formally launched you will support the development and end-to-end delivery of a batch of around 5 school construction and/or refurbishment projects. You will oversee a multi-disciplinary team of internal colleagues and external contractors, working closely with schools, Academy trusts, local authorities and other stakeholders, to deliver projects to time and budget.
Projects are of varying complexity, giving you scope to develop a wide skill set, and acquire a unique range of experience during your time with us. You will have the opportunity to develop your understanding of construction projects and project delivery.
The kind of projects we’re currently working on include:
- Whole new build primary and secondary schools in locations all over the country.
- Refurbishment and remodelling of listed buildings.
- Relocation of schools to new sites include school mergers and school expansions.
- Provision of emergency temporary accommodation at short notice.
- Overseeing the delivery of urgent propping work where Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete (RAAC) planks are identified, and immediate action is required to keep a school building open.
Alongside our work redeveloping school sites and buildings, we also work with other parts of DfE to ensure that proposed rebuilding projects fit with the Department’s wider strategic aims. In particular, this includes working with regional teams around local demographics to understand and ensure the current and continued need for the school places secured via our investment in sites. There is also wider work to support SRP in meeting the requirements on it as part of the Government Major Project Portfolio (GMPP) and as part of the work of DfE. This may include briefing Ministers on projects and issues both in person and via written briefings and submissions, drafting clear, balanced advice, in layman’s terms.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Manage projects effectively and efficiently through the project life cycle pre-feasibility, feasibility, contract, construction and project close out).
- Ensure contractor and TA monthly reporting is quality assured, is timely and accurate.
- Take action to prevent project delays and to ensure that the best possible build project is achieved, including proactively tackling potential risks, slippage issues and delays as they arise and escalating them.
- Ensure project controls are fully completed and contract management is effectively administered.
- Ensure projects are on track against financial spend milestones and that any areas of risk are escalated and resolved quickly.
- Monitor and analyse budgets, report progress and slippage and highlight any areas of risk opportunity.
- Managing internal teams and technical advisers to develop options for rebuilding/ refurbishment as part of a site feasibility.
- Working with contractors to deliver building projects including consultation with contractors on delivery programmes, variation management and cost management.
Person specification
Essential Criteria - We are seeking motivated, self-starting individuals who can demonstrate the following skills:
- Delivering a number construction related projects simultaneously, preferably in the education sector.
- Identify risks and issues that threaten programme delivery.
- Managing risks and issues that threaten delivery and escalation appropriately.
- Build and retain relationships internally and externally to solve problems.
- Negotiate, influence and persuade within and outside the organisation to achieve desired outcomes.
- Find opportunities for improving the delivery of the programme and work effectively with others to continually review these in the light of changing policy.
- Working in an encouraging and inclusive way, respecting the diversity of the people you work with.
- We are looking for someone who can work with others to solve problems and are happy to share how they do that with others in the team.
In person, you will be driven and enthusiastic with an engaging manner, challenge-orientated and solution-focussed. You are happy to share how you solve problems with others so we can learn from each other across the programme.
One of the following is essential:
- Experience of working with and/or within local authorities, schools or academies.
- Experience in the procurement of major infrastructure projects including developing business cases, feasibility studies and letting of contracts.
- Experience of delivering major infrastructure projects, including consultation with contractors on delivery programmes, variation management and cost management.
The following skills/qualifications are desirable:
- Experience of leading and delivery through multi-disciplinary teams.
- Excellent portfolio of programme and project management skills.
- A relevant professional or technical qualification to degree level or equivalent (e.g., project management, quantity surveying, construction or relevant subject matter).
- Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the institution Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers).
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Does this sound like you? If so, we would love to hear from you!
If you would like to find out more about the wider DfE, SRD’s culture and more detailed information on the role of G7 Project Manager we are holding an informal Teams meeting on Thursday 10th August 16:30-17:30. If you would like to attend, please email the [email protected] no later than Wednesday 9th August.
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and statement of suitability.
You should use your statement of suitability (maximum 1250 words) as an opportunity to further demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section. You may wish to include examples of how you have tackled similar tasks or demonstrated the skills outlined in the job advert.
The CV and statement of suitability will be scored against the essential criteria listed in the Person specification. If a large number of applications are received for this role, the sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability.
Interview
At interview, you will be assessed on your experience against the essential criteria.
You will also be asked to deliver a 5-minute presentation, the subject of which will be sent out with the interview invitations.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Department of Education via [email protected] soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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