Project Manager

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service; Exeter; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional fire and rescue service in Exeter is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead strategic change projects. This role involves managing complex project deliverables and ensuring effective communication among stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in project management, especially with methodologies like Prince 2, and excellent leadership skills. This full-time position offers a competitive salary, starting at £48,226, and requires the ability to influence and guide diverse teams effectively.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage complex projects efficiently.
• Excellent working knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Proven experience in change management projects.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders effectively.

Responsibilities

• Support the Programme Manager with strategic developments.
• Manage implementation of designated specific Projects.
• Guide the Project Board in achieving measurable objectives.
• Ensure project solutions meet Devon and Somerset's requirements.
• Establish and manage project teams and resources.
• Produce stakeholder communications in cooperation with Corporate Communications.

Skills

Managing complex projects

Project management methodologies

Excellent communication skills

Leadership in project teams

Education

Prince 2 Practitioner qualification

Job description

Join Our Team as a Senior Project Manager at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service!
Are you ready to make a profound impact in a Senior Project Manager role, leading on a number of strategic change projects? Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the largest non‑metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England, is on the lookout for a Senior Project Manager to join our Strategic Business Change department at our Service Headquarters in Exeter. This is a 24 month fixed term, full‑time position (37 hours per week) that offers a competitive salary starting at £48,226 rising annually to £51,356 per annum.

At Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, our mission is to create a safer world by preventing fire and rescue emergencies. We pride ourselves on our fantastic reputation, built on the dedication and expertise of our skilled workforce. By joining us, you will be a key player in enhancing the services we provide across beautiful Devon and Somerset.

As the Senior Project Manager, you will support the Programme Manager with strategic developments and tactical deployment in relation to projects. Through the application of project management skills, this position will be responsible for a number of project deliverables and their associated compliance to time, quality and cost, maintaining a good overview of each project activity, identifying, raising, and resolving issues encountered to ensure the effective delivery of the programme. You will be personally responsible for establishing an appropriate project team and ensuring that the skills available are continuously monitored to meet the planned stages of the project and / or supplemented by additional resources. In liaison with Corporate Communications, you will be responsible for producing and the delivery of the communication to stakeholders, ensuring that Devon and Somerset employees and stakeholders at all levels are informed about the scope, impact and progress of the projects.

Responsibilities

• To support the Programme Manager or as otherwise appropriate with strategic developments and tactical deployment in relation to the relevant project(s).
• To plan and manage the implementation of the designated specific Projects and maintain the relationship with the business owners to deliver the project in accordance with the agreed milestones.
• To influence and guide the Project Board in determination of measurable objectives to be achieved by the project, including vision of outcome of the project and service impact, ensuring these are compatible with the overall corporate objectives of and/or relevant individual Directorates.
• To ensure that the solutions proposed by the project meet the requirements and expectations of Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority.
• To establish an appropriate project team, ensure that the skills available are continuously monitored to meet the planned stages of the project and/or supplemented by additional resources.
• To ensure 3^rd party plans (e.g. contractors, internal suppliers, Estates, ICT, HR) are incorporated into the designated project phases ensuring the overall direction and timescales are maintained.
• To be responsible for producing and delivery of communications to stakeholders, in liaison with the Corporate Communications section, to ensure that Devon and Somerset employees and stakeholders at all levels are informed about the scope, impact and progress of the projects.
• To provide professional advice, progress reports and position statements as required by the Programme Manager and as appropriate/directed, to the Executive Board/Service Leadership Team.
• To identify and manage the risks and issues associated with the overall programme and defined activities, ensuring that these are escalated to the Programme Manager and, as appropriate, to external agencies.
• To ensure that current business as usual arrangements are maintained until the transition to the new way of working and that contingency arrangements remain in place until the project has been signed off by the business as usual owners.
• To ensure that dependencies / impacts with other projects and the other programmes are identified, assessed for impact and clear responsibilities are defined.
• To manage reporting requirements through Integra, MIS, and project reports. Identify and secure any short‑term funding and identify how longer‑term funding will be achieved and by whom.

Employee Testimonial

"Joining Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has been an exceptional experience for me. I am originally from country, and this is my first job in the United Kingdom. I feel incredibly lucky to have joined this organisation. I received a warm welcome here, and the support from everyone has been remarkable. What stands out the most is the helpfulness of the higher management, who are true leaders. Despite their busy schedules, they have always guided me and helped me settle in, which has been a pleasant surprise. Having worked in many companies across different countries, I can confidently say that the work culture at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the best. It is an excellent place for working and learning. If you are passionate about your work, this is the best organisation to be a part of." - Senior Project Manager

Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and reprimands. This role will require a Standard DBS check to be completed. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.

The successful candidate must,
by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.

Key Requirements

1. Proven ability to manage complex projects
2. Excellent working knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., Prince 2)
3. Qualified to Prince 2 Practitioner
4. Proven experience of working in a change management projects
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to influence/change stakeholders' views
6. Proven ability to effectively lead and manage a successful team