Assistant Director - Infrastructure

Job summary

Job purpose

Cambridge has become a major incubator of successful tech start-ups contributing significantly to the UK economy. However, Cambridgeshire and its surrounding areas face significant infrastructure challenges. Power, water and transport issues all impact business and housing growth and affect the quality of life for Cambridgeshire’s residents and potentially limit future economic growth.

On 23 July, the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) established the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation (GCDC). The Development Corporation will be responsible for the stewardship and deployment of very significant public capital investment, with capital projects typically measured in multiples of £100 million, and overall programme value measured at over £100bn, delivered over long-time horizons and through complex commercial, land and infrastructure arrangements involving leveraging significant private sector investment.

This pivotal role is responsible for the development and delivery of a programme of de-risking and infrastructure works. Leading the delivery of integrated engineering solutions to support an infrastructure led approach that enables the acceleration of economic and housing growth across Greater Cambridge.

Lead a team of technical specialists working closely with other teams across the Development Corporation and with external partners, providing expert direction and support on technical due diligence and engineering solutions to unlock and deliver key infrastructure and strategic sites. Reporting regularly on financial and delivery performance to the Technical Director, appropriate Committees and Board as required.

This role is responsible for providing leadership and senior management to ensure successful delivery of a programme of de-risking, enabling and infrastructure works contracts and technical support.

Lead on providing in‐depth understanding of technical, geotechnical, utilities requirements, engineering and infrastructure issues, affecting the development potential and viability of residential/mixed use sites; lead on assessing the developability and viability of land from a technical perspective, ensuring due diligence/abnormal issues are comprehensively understood. The role will also lead on utilities planning and connection including water and electricity supply.

Lead and manage a team of technical experts to scope, commission and manage external advisors and Capital Works contracts to support the delivery of economic growth and new housing. This will include managing the design and construction of highways and structures, utility services, drainage and integrated water management features and landscaping, demolition, site clearance, land remediation and other de-risking activities, as part of programme to support an infrastructure led approach to site delivery.

Lead on procurement of external advisors and contractors.

Job description

This role is being recruited by Homes England to support the establishment and operation of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. The successful candidate will initially be employed by Homes England and will work predominantly on matters relating to the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation and its activities.

Key relationships

Internal – Assistant Directors, Heads and other members of the Technical Team. Directors and Heads and teams across the Development Corporation, senior leaders and Boards.

External – Senior leaders at MHCLG, and other government departments, utility providers and other public sector organisations. Maintain positive relationship management with senior contact with private sectors partners, consultants, contractors and sector stakeholders.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all development-related technical advice and capital works, with responsibility for developing a positive challenge focused culture while ensuring a solution-driven service on projects:
  • Assessing development/site constraints and resolving pre-construction issues on a full range of ground, remediation, demolition, highways, drainage and utilities issues.
  • Management/ownership of the direct delivery of infrastructure works, structures, demolition, remediation, and other construction activities.
• Be responsible for the procurement, management and safe delivery, working with H&S, of the capital works programme to agreed quality, time and cost outcomes, with regular monitoring and reporting on progress.
• Ensure technical policies, guidance, procedures and systems are fit for purpose and provide technical advice to internal teams as required, including managing the introduction on new regulations as they arise and are peer reviewed across technical disciplines to ensure a continued comprehensive Technical Services delivery.
• Ensuring constructive collaborative approach in working with delivery teams and project consultants, provide technical input and due diligence services to enable the acquisition and delivery of residential/ mixed use development sites, including timely Peer Review input to project approvals
• Bring a consistency of approach in providing guidance, when requested, on the negotiation and appointment of technical consultants and works or services contracts, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance, policy, risk appetite and approved budget.
• Identifying the development potential of residential/mixed use development sites and regeneration projects e.g. contamination remediation, demolition, highway matters, drainage, historic environment, utilities, noise, etc and resolving on request with project delivery teams.
• Build, develop and lead a high performing team ensuring training is actively completed in line with professional development objectives including engagement and working with professional networks.
• Build strategic relationships with government, local authorities, private sector partners, utility companies, consultants and contractors to influence outcomes.
• Collaborate across directorates to integrate technical expertise into development strategy and operational delivery

Employees are expected to be flexible in undertaking duties and responsibilities commensurate with the general character of the role and level of responsibility.

Person specification

Key skills, knowledge and experience

• Degree or equivalent and/or appropriate professional qualifications/membership in a relevant property, design, built environment, construction, engineering, surveying or other technical discipline or demonstration of significant relevant experience
• Experienced manager/leader with considerable knowledge and expertise in all aspects of residential/mixed use development, building, residential development, infrastructure delivery and construction, particularly the technical approach to pre-construction, site related preparation, de-risking, infrastructure works and development. Similar knowledge and experience of strategic site development and regeneration projects is desirable.
• Legal, commercial/ procurement and contractual experience, with ability to read / interpret and inform consultant/ contractor programmes. Demonstrable track record in these areas essential.
• Excellent communicator and negotiator with the skills to explain the impact of technical issues on deliverability and viability of projects
• Detailed understanding of the range of technical issues related to regeneration, development and infrastructure delivery with experience of application of these in site acquisition, scheme planning, direct construction works and all project delivery phases. Similar understanding of technical issues relating to commercial and regeneration projects is desirable.
• Thorough understanding of regulatory regime for new residential / mixed use, built environment and infrastructure with experience of developing internal policies and responses to policy changes.
• Procedures to deliver robust technical assessments of projects together with strategies for overcoming technical issues.

Key competences

• Ability to lead and motivate a multi‐disciplinary team and work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels valuing everybody as an individual.
• Ability to influence and develop robust relationships with key external stakeholders in Government and the development sector to ensure Homes England has an input into relevant areas.
• An excellent communicator who is comfortable presenting and able to deliver messages in a clear, concise and confident manner which engages audiences and achieves the desired outcomes.

Key performance measures

• Drive and improve a development technical service offering, covering policies, procedures and systems that are fit for purpose and provide relevant advice to external/internal teams as required.
• Develop motivated, engaged and high performing multi‐disciplinary team(s), ensuring fair and transparent approach to talent management and resourcing decisions that promotes diversity and inclusion.
• Establish and maintain senior level strategic partnerships across Whitehall and with internal stakeholders to support the Agencies strategic priorities, influence policies and promote financial flexibilities.
• Taking accountability for key relationships, corporate, finance & performance, people, standards, governance and compliance and organisational reputation.
• Incorporate strategic messages being used to promote the Development Directorate business plan objectives, representing the key interface between policy and operational delivery.

Benefits

Homes England is an executive non-departmental public body with its own terms and conditions, benefits and pension scheme. We are a government agency working in partnership with the private sector and want to employ and retain great people. In return we offer a range of excellent benefits, some of the key benefits include:

Holiday - Homes England offers all staff 33 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 statutory bank holidays.

Working Flexibly - At Homes England we have a strong culture of flexible working and encourage all employees to have a healthy work/life balance. We offer a wide range of potential working patterns, including part time, job share and compressed hours.

Health and Wellbeing - We offer health screening with Nuffield Proactive Health Clinics, a free Employee Assistance Programme which offers confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well as access to Occupational Health.

Professional Development - At Homes England we are committed to your continued professional and personal development with learning as one of our core values. We pay for one job-related professional membership subscription per year for our employees.

We also offer an excellent range of family friendly benefits, for example, maternity, paternity, shared parental leave.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply please follow the links to our careers page.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

For more information on the role, please see the attached Job Description.

Successful applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application and interviews held as soon as practical after the closing date. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in this role and Homes England.

Please note – Homes England has a responsibility to ensure compliance with HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard to address the potential problems of identity fraud, illegal working and deception generally. To ensure compliance we will carry out a pre-employment Personal Identity and Vetting Report through Experian to meet the standard and you will therefore be asked to provide certain information in order that the verification check can be carried out if you are successful in your application.

Homes England are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that values and respects the people who work for us. Our aim is to be an employer of choice, enabling everyone to reach their full potential.

Homes England is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal data. For further information please refer to our Privacy Notice which can be viewed here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england/about/personal-information-charter

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed disability confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Name: Recruitment Team

Email: recruitmentinfo@homesengland.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : RecruitmentInfo@homesengland.gov.uk
• Email : RecruitmentInfo@homesengland.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitmentinfo@homesengland.gov.uk