Opus People Solutions on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council are recruiting for a Project Manager to join their team on a temporary contract

Start Date:

ASAP

Length:

6 Months with possible extension

Working Location:

Remote Working with ad hoc attendance at CCC main office (Alconbury)

Working Hours:

37

Overall purpose of the role:

The development and delivery of new transport infrastructure is vital to the future economic wellbeing of Cambridgeshire.
The skills required to deliver a programme of projects are considerable and require detailed engineering knowledge and understanding of project and programme management, procurement and commissioning of highway projects, stakeholder engagement, land negotiation, transport planning and statutory legal processes. Importantly, the Project Manager has responsibility for driving forward innovative ideas across a programme of schemes and for the performance of their delivery team. The role is vital in ensuring effective and efficient delivery of schemes across a wide range of transport projects.

Main Responsibilities:

Provide leadership support within the Project Delivery Highways Service team to ensure the effective delivery of projects that improve the transport infrastructure network.
Provide advice to those within Place & Economy on highway engineering, project and programme management, procurement, community engagement and delivery of the improvements and maintenance of the transport infrastructure network.
Provide and prepare detailed technical reports in a timely and efficient manner ensuring at all times clarity, engagement with stakeholders, and clear requirements of project details, timings and delivery requirements.
Direct, guide and manage project delivery to ensure that objectives are delivered for the project to high quality, forecast delivery times and budget targets.
Lead on key aspects of project expertise within the Project Delivery Highways Service for commissioned projects in order to ensure the highest level of knowledge, experience and expertise are used in resolving issues and enquiries.
Manage the technical approval of Project Delivery Highway Service projects taking account of detailed design, procurement, programme and customer consultation.
Knowledge and understanding of the road safety audit process, and reviewing and implementing as appropriate.
Develop efficient and effective processes for the review of projects, reporting progress, risk, actual and forecast cost and target completion to the Programme Board.
Implement robust programmes for all projects, with appropriate change control processes and utilising suitable project management software packages to manage programme delivery, such as MS Project.
Plan, manage and lead projects, initiatives and events, ensuring the effective co-ordination and integration of organisation and service activities and securing active engagement by identified participants in order to meet project goals and the Council's objectives.
Devise, implement and manage systems for the delivery of projects which engage directly and appropriately with colleagues, partners and customers and where integration and co-ordination with other services and organisations is required to achieve the desired outcomes.
Inspire others to contribute to corporate projects in order to see the delivery of better outcomes

Qualifications/Experience Needed:
* A proven track record in leading the development, planning and implementation of transport infrastructure and related projects
* Extensive programme / project management experience with a reputation for delivery
* Extensive knowledge of technical and contractual requirements relating to scheme development, construction and maintenance
* Experience in budget management (including local government finance)
* Experience of working with elected politicians and of ensuring that project and service outcomes align with broader political priorities
* Good negotiation skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with senior staff throughout the Authority and staff of external organisations including other Councils and Government agencies
* Practical experience in dealing and negotiating with consultants and contractors
* Develop partnerships at the highest levels with other agencies as a means of ensuring project and service objectives are met
* Proven experience of financial and resource planning and the ability to deliver VFM on contracts and operating in a multi-disciplinary financial environment engaging with stakeholders;
* Experience in Contract Procurement and Management adopting NEC 3/4
Service and Framework contracts, legislative and policy frameworks that apply to public sector highway projects
* Experience of developing focused strategies and prioritising actions, leading to change and performance improvements and achieving VFM on projects
* Fully compliant with the latest Project Management Software tools, including but not exclusively MS Project
* A proven track record in engaging and leading a diverse set of stakeholder groups to develop and deliver complex major transport projects;
* Proven experience in the management and development of a highly skilled and multi-disciplinary professional workforce managing performance and monitoring related activities;
* Can assimilate complex information and provide strategic and delivery reports on project progress/needs to Programme Boards or Committees to achieve project solutions