Capital Works Programme Manager

Job summary

The Capital Programme Manager is responsible for leading, developing and delivering the UKHSA Porton Estates, Engineering and Facilities (EEF) capital programme, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and operational requirements.

Working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, they will lead the planning, prioritisation, governance and delivery of a diverse portfolio of complex capital projects within a live High Hazard Life Sciences environment. The programme includes professional services, specialist equipment installations, major refurbishment and new-build projects ranging from £5k to £10m, with an annual budget of circa. £20m.

The role will ensure effective programme controls, stakeholder engagement and the achievement of operational and financial objectives delivered in accordance with UKHSA governance, departmental procedures and government procurement requirements.

They will lead a small multidisciplinary team overseeing project delivery from business case development through design, procurement, construction and operational handover, while maintaining effective programme governance, reporting, risk management, resource planning and financial controls to ensure projects are delivered within scope, budget and timescales.

The role will provide leadership and support to the Capital Programme and EEF teams, promoting best practice, driving continuous improvement, value for money and compliance with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements.

Job description

• Lead the development, prioritisation and delivery of the Porton Capital Programme, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, estate strategy and business needs.
• Manage a portfolio of capital projects including infrastructure, laboratories, engineering systems, specialist equipment, refurbishments and new-build developments within a live High Hazard Life Sciences environment.
• Maintain programme governance, reporting, risk management, assurance and financial controls across the capital portfolio.
• Manage capital budgets and forecasting, ensuring value for money and compliance with UKHSA governance and procurement requirements.
• Oversee project delivery from business case development through design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of project professionals, consultants and contractors, ensuring effective resource planning and performance.
• Provide technical, commercial and contractual advice to support investment decisions, business cases and procurement activities.
• Build stakeholder relationships and communicate programme performance, risks and outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, health and safety, quality and organisational requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement through best practice, lessons learned and performance monitoring.

Strategic Programme Leadership

• Lead the development, prioritisation, approval and delivery of the UKHSA Porton Capital Works Programme, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, estate strategy, asset management plans & business priorities.
• Develop and maintain a rolling capital investment programme supporting operational, scientific and infrastructure requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership for programme governance, planning and prioritisation, ensuring investment decisions are informed by business need, estate condition, risk & long-term objectives.
• Establish programme strategies, policies, standards, performance measures and KPIs, while managing interdependencies, risks & opportunities to optimise delivery outcomes.

Project Delivery

• Oversee a diverse portfolio of capital projects from concept through to operational handover & benefits realisation, ensuring they are delivered to agreed scope, budget, quality standards and timescales.
• Direct all stages of delivery including feasibility studies, option appraisals, business case development, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, validation and handover.
• Ensure effective operational transition arrangements and undertake post-project reviews to identify lessons learned and drive continuous improvement.

Finance and Commercial

• Manage the capital programme budget, ensuring effective financial control and value for money across all projects.
• Monitor budgets, cashflow forecasts, expenditure and financial performance, taking corrective action where required.
• Ensure compliance with UKHSA financial governance requirements.
• Maintain oversight of change control processes, ensuring financial and programme impacts are assessed and approved.
• Support robust procurement, contract management and commercial governance throughout the project lifecycle.

Governance, Risk and Assurance

• Establish and maintain effective governance, assurance and reporting frameworks.
• Develop and maintain programme controls covering risk, issues, change management, benefits realisation and performance monitoring.
• Ensure accurate reporting of programme performance, finance and key risks to senior management and governance boards.
• Provide assurance that projects are managed in accordance with recognised programme and project management best practice, organisational policies, and government requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build productive relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders on site, suppliers and external organisations.
• Principal point of contact for the Porton capital programme.
• Communicate complex technical, commercial and programme information to diverse audiences throughout project lifecycles and present relevant information and programme updates to governance boards and senior leadership.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, resolving issues and conflicts as required to maintain project objectives.

Technical Advice, Compliance and Health & Safety

• Provide specialist technical, commercial and contractual advice on complex engineering, construction and infrastructure projects.
• Support the development of business cases, option appraisals and investment proposals, while reviewing technical specifications, designs and procurement documentation.
• Advise on procurement strategies, contract management and supplier performance.
• Ensure all projects and staff comply with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements.

Continuous Improvement and General Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement across programme management, governance and project delivery.
• Implement lessons learned, develop management information and performance reporting systems, and promote innovation, efficiency and value for money across the capital portfolio.
• Promote collaboration, professionalism, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post as reasonably required by management.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Significant experience managing complex capital programmes and multi-disciplinary construction projects within research, pharmaceutical, scientific or other highly regulated environments.
• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Building Services, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Project Management or a related discipline (or equivalent experience), together with PRINCE2 Practitioner, MSP Practitioner, APM PMQ or equivalent qualification.
• Proven experience managing programme and project budgets, financial controls, forecasting, lifecycle costs and financial reporting, delivering projects to agreed scope, cost and schedule.
• Extensive experience leading and developing multidisciplinary project teams, consultants and contractors, with excellent leadership, negotiation and stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Sound knowledge of construction and engineering procurement, tendering processes, commercial management and contract administration, including a good working knowledge of the JCT and/or NEC suite of contracts and their application to construction and engineering projects.
• Experience reviewing project designs, technical specifications, option appraisals and business cases.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing reports, presentations and business cases.

Desirable criteria:

• Membership of a relevant professional body such as APM, ICE, IMechE, CIOB or RICS.
• Contract Management experience.
• Strong understanding of construction, engineering infrastructure, utilities, specialist equipment and process technologies.
• Knowledge of relevant GMP, HSE, Home Office, Environmental Agency and other regulatory requirements applicable to research facilities.
• Experience of GxP, GMP, GAMP or high-containment laboratory environments.
• Knowledge of engineering safety systems, Building Regulations and Fire Safety legislation.
• Advanced user of Microsoft 365, Smartsheet, and programme management software, with experience in programme reporting, risk management, performance monitoring and executive-level reporting.
• Knowledge of operating and maintaining process plant and equipment, mechanical installations and facilities.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,276 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience & Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1500word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Significant experience managing complex capital programmes and multi-disciplinary construction projects within research, pharmaceutical, scientific or other highly regulated environments.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single face to faceinterview at our Scientific Campus, Porton.

When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Experience & Technical skills will be tested at interview in the form of questions and a presentation.

The presentation topic will entail "Delivering a Complex Capital Programme in a Live High-Hazard Environment." The presentation should be no more than 10 minutes long.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Lead Behaviour – Communicating & Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture

Interview dates are to be confirmed.

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

Please Note - For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this position.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check (SC).

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC). UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).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 : John Inglis
• Email : john.inglis@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Visit the Civil Service Commission website for further information: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk