Senior Project Manager

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Project Manager to join our Project and Property team. The Projects and Property Service is front and centre in delivering a wide range of transformational projects for the council. Supporting and enabling sustainable and inclusive growth and ensuring we maximise the placemaking impact of our projects.

North Somerset Council declared a Climate Emergency with the aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. The Strategy is supported by wider strategic plans and objectives including the Economic Plan and the Joint Local Transport Plan. Offering significant opportunity to be involved in cross council working and to make a significant contribution to meeting carbon neutrality by 2030.

All the roles will work collaboratively with contractors, colleagues across the organisation, and with our partners, in North Somerset and the West of England, to ensure major works are well managed and deliver the expected outcomes.

Working within our Projects and Property Team the Senior Project Manager will be key in supporting the delivery of a variety of complex and high-profile projects that will be used by North Somerset residents and visitors for generations.

From major infrastructure projects to new schools, from regeneration and maintenance projects to council estate transformation you will be key in delivering sustainable, inclusive and low carbon growth, you will support the Senior Programme Lead to make sure these projects are delivered on time and within budget and meet the commitments within the North Somerset Corporate Plan.

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing a multi-disciplinary team to ensure service delivery through self and others, developing the service business plan and associated resource planning. The post holder has management of a project delivery team and service. The post holder has autonomy to make changes to programming, delivery and resourcing. The postholder will undertake research and recommend changes to the approved programme and project objectives to service areas that contribute to service improvements and developments. The Senior Project Manager will lead and provide specialist and professional Project Management skills, practises and procedures within the Project and Property Service, across major capital schemes and property and asset functions including but not limited to; Housing, Highways, Rail, maintenance and Building projects. The postholder will be responsible for developing programmes of work and service and resource planning. The postholder will be expected to proactively develop, implement and embed new ways of working. The postholder will monitor and maintain service standards and proactively respond to programming and project issues. The post holder is a fully qualified professional with substantial post qualification experience, including the supervision and direction of others.

Key Responsibilities:

• Under the general supervision of the Senior Programme Lead, the post holder will manage a team (staff, consultants and contractors) to deliver identified projects, as part of the project portfolio.
• Lead excellence of governance across the development and delivery of the project portfolio.
• Lead a team to deliver projects for identified clients, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within agreed quality criteria and in budget.
• Responsible for the supervision and direction of a small team of project management staff. Ensure that project management functions are delivered in accordance with the council’s project management office, Contract Standing Orders (CSO), environmental and safety standards and within contractual arrangements.
• Project lead on the most complex and high-profile schemes within the project portfolio, liaising with the colleagues across the service and council including senior colleagues and councillors to ensure that whole project lifecycle solutions are developed and implemented for the most complex schemes. To be the daily point of contact for internal and external stakeholders and the multidisciplinary design teams/contractor where advice is required and where solutions are required to resolve project issues.

Main responsibilities:

• The preparation, design and implementation and delivery of a portfolio of projects across infrastructure and property.
• Engaging with colleagues to ensure the most cost- effective use of resources and that value for money is achieved.
• Investigate, evaluate, and present justification and estimates for capital programme, including improvement and maintenance schemes. Identify work packages and allocate work across the team appropriately to encourage professional development across the team.
• Develop an effective communication plan and manage effective stakeholder relationships to facilitate successful project delivery and overcome barriers to delivery.
• To assist the Senior Programme Lead in the review and development of systems and procedures for effective customer engagement and improved working with other teams/services.
• Ensure projects follow the correct control mechanisms to minimise the risk of unforeseen issues and establish a risk management plan. Monitor and track project milestones throughout the project lifecycle and address variances within agreed processes to take remedial action where appropriate.
• Direct, lead, motivate and appraise a multi-disciplinary team of professional staff (Internal and External) and participate in the development of partnerships to achieve the project and service delivery priorities in the most effective and efficient manner commensurate with the Council’s standards and procedures, and best practice.
• Formulate, direct and control the management of resources and ensure sound financial control and financial planning.
• To prepare reports where needed and attend meetings of Council Committees and other statutory bodies.
• Represent North Somerset at Public Inquiries and public meetings to ensure that the Council’s position is properly presented.

Additional JM4 responsibilities:

• Provide advice on policies and priorities for input in to council and partnership programmes (with contractors and sub-regional, regional partners, eg other local authorities).
• Undertake team planning and developments with the aim of improving performance; effective and efficient delivery and greater customer care and satisfaction.
• Participate in the preparation of the Service Plan and complete and deliver on an annual team plan
• To provide leadership and direction on the council’s vision, priorities and target operating model. To present this vision with confidence and enthusiasm and ensure that the council strategy and vision is embedded in service delivery and design.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

This position is currently based at our Town Hall offices in Weston Super Mare.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

To be successful you will be an accomplished team player who will be an advocate for change and innovation, put customers first, work well with others and get things done.

The Senior Project Manager will have extensive knowledge and experience in managing contractors, budgets and resources as well as leading a team. You will have a proven track record of successful project delivery and be responsible for ensuring that the projects you are accountable for deliver to scope and in support of wider programme benefits. This can include leading on communications, risk, procurement, finance, and programme scheduling.

As well as the chance to take key roles in the council’s most complex and high-profile schemes, the Projects and Property Team will give you opportunities to transfer skills and knowledge learned and take on further responsibilities to progress along your chosen career pathway.

Knowledge, skills & experience

• An approved professional qualification in a relevant discipline and/or extensive project management experience and practical experience of working with stakeholder groups giving rise to a variety of technical skills and thorough understanding of the challenges, work practices, legislation and processes in project management.
• Significant post qualification experience in mixed models for project delivery to give knowledge and understanding equivalent to a further advanced qualification in the service area.
• Experience in service development and embedding improvements into work methodologies.
• Practical experience in service delivery and in leading others to deliver the service
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring capital and revenue budgets
• Knowledge and understanding of technical protocols and legislation involved in project management
• Ability to manage/organise own work and that of a team to meet agreed deadlines
• Understanding and recognition of professional boundaries

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Virginia Andreani Senior Programme Lead, at Virginia.Andreani@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07385010146.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: TBC

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.