Development Project Sponsor - Capital Programme Projects

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is recruiting for a Development Project Sponsor to lead capital building, regeneration and infrastructure projects from feasibility to completion. The role requires senior programme management expertise, strong stakeholder engagement and proven ability to manage budgets and multidisciplinary teams.

You will work in a hybrid capacity from the Chelmsford office with 2-3 days on site, contributing to governance, business cases and delivery across the capital programme.

Qualifications

• Level 4 qualification or above in a Built Environment discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Significant experience delivering capital building, regeneration or infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors and delivery partners.
• Experience managing project budgets, business cases, funding, financial appraisals and value-for-money assessments and managing project risks.
• Knowledge of planning, construction procurement and contract management.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with residents, Members and external organisations, negotiation and report-writing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of regeneration, building and parks capital projects from feasibility through to completion, ensuring outcomes against scope, programme, budget and quality.
• Develop business cases, feasibility studies and project proposals to support investment decisions.
• Manage budgets, governance and resources, ensuring compliance with statutory and Council requirements.
• Procure, appoint and manage consultants and contractors, monitor performance and delivery.
• Lead stakeholder, community and Member engagement activities, ensuring effective communication and consultation.
• Mentor junior colleagues and support the wider Capital Delivery programme.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Budget management

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Built Environment degree or equivalent

Job description

This is a hybrid-working role. You will work from the Chelmsford office and/or across our operational area 2-3 days per week, depending on business need. This can be discussed further at interview.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

The Opportunity The Capital Investment and Infrastructure Delivery team develop and deliver the capital Programme for Essex County Council. The team will focus on developing opportunities for capital investment in order to deliver on statutory obligations of Capital Programme management and delivery of construction projects to support the Council's strategic priorities. Development Project Sponsors are responsible for the overall strategy, governance, stakeholder management, budget, implementation, control, reporting, and completion of Capital projects within strict budget and deadlines. Applicants will have professional accreditation or a deep understanding of Programme management methodologies and the ability to demonstrate this in the delivery of projects. This right applicant will also have experience of developing and maintaining project plans and managing resources to meet set milestones.

Accountabilities Lead the delivery of regeneration, building and parks capital projects from feasibility through to completion, ensuring successful outcomes against scope, programme, budget and quality objectives. Develop business cases, feasibility studies and project proposals to support investment and decision-making. Manage project budgets, risks, governance and resources, ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and Council requirements. Procure, appoint and manage consultants and contractors, monitoring performance and delivery. Lead stakeholder, community and Member engagement activities, ensuring effective communication and consultation. Support the wider Capital Delivery programme through collaborative working, knowledge sharing and mentoring of junior colleagues. Undertake other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the role.

• Level 4 qualification or above in a Built Environment discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Significant experience delivering capital building, regeneration or infrastructure projects through the project lifecycle.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, consultants, contractors and delivery partners.
• Experience managing project budgets, business cases, funding, financial appraisals and value-for-money assessments and managing project risks, and competing priorities
• Knowledge of planning, construction procurement and contract management.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with residents, Members and external organisations, negotiation and report-writing skills, with the ability to influence and present complex information effectively.

Desirable

• Professional qualifications or accreditation such as APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, CIOB, RICS or equivalent.
• Experience working within a local authority or wider public-sector environment, delivering education, SEND or other public-sector capital projects.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout Essex our operational area. Therefore, due to the nature of the role, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England's oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest - Basildon and Harlow - are right here. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career.

In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We are also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.