Senior Project %26 Contracts Manager

Education Authority; Belfast; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational governing body in Northern Ireland is seeking a Senior Project & Contracts Manager to lead large-scale projects valued over £2m. This position involves project and contract management, financial oversight, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a relevant Bachelor's degree and at least five years of experience in project management. This role offers opportunities for professional development within a supportive educational framework.

Benefits

Flexible working conditions

Professional development opportunities

Health benefits

Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management or a Construction related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in managing large-scale projects over £2m.
• Experience with NEC Suite of Contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and coordinate procurement, design, and implementation of services.
• Ensure projects meet time, cost, and quality constraints.
• Supervise teams engaged in project development and contract management.

Skills

Project Management

Contract Management

Financial Management

Leadership

Stakeholder Communication

Risk Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management or Construction

Membership of a relevant Professional Institute

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible to: Major Capital Delivery (MaCD) Service Manager
Major Capital Delivery Senior Team (MaST)

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Project & Contracts Manager (SPCM) will be responsible for delivering large scale/complex projects through their project life cycle in accordance with governance procedures.

The SPCM will support the Head of Service, Major Capital Delivery Service Managers and relevant stakeholders, through the delivery of comprehensive project & contract management, to ensure the effective and efficient development and delivery of Projects and Contracts, in order to meet the Authority’s strategic objectives.

The SPCM will work with colleagues across EA Directorates to ensure that proposals and project governance (as set by the Service), are delivered to enhance the operations of the Authority; and ultimately contribute to improved outcomes for children and young people. They will also play a key role in realising the transformation objectives within the service and across other Directorates.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The Senior Project & Contracts Manager will lead, manage, co-ordinate and participate in the procurement, design and implementation of the following Services:

• The overall responsibility for the successful procurement, initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling, administration, and closure of projects or workstreams allocated to them.
• To be responsible for managing and delivering a work portfolio that may contain several strands within a programme, project or workstream.
• To work closely with team members to ensure that all project requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track, including submitting or reviewing project deliverables, preparing status reports, establishing effective project communication plans, the proper execution of plans, monitoring requirements and standards, and ensuring projects meet time, cost and quality constraints.
• To make sure that the scope and direction of each project is on schedule, in line with agreed parameter’s/budgets, set by the Head of Service/Service Manager.
• To manage the risk profile of the project and provide early warning on all assurance matters.
• To elevate issues appropriately, in accordance with project governance.
• To act as a Senior Responsible Officer / Client Advisor / Project Manager / Project Sponsor on projects.
• To act as the service representative when engaging with other Directorates and Services, Department of Education (DE), Boards of Governors and external suppliers, providing project management advice and enabling the provision of projects required for transformation.

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

The Senior Project & Contracts Manager will be responsible for the management, co-ordination, and participation in the delivery of the following Services:

• the contract management of PPP Projects throughout the contract period;
• providing financial support and advice to all school authorities at all stages;
• providing general support to all PPP projects as required;
• contributing to the work of the PPP Team and any initiatives in which the Service is involved.

As part of the operational phase contract management, the post holder will:

• liaise with the school, the Contractor and Authority in managing operational phases;
• manage the provision of contracted services;
• ensure the Contractor is conforming to specified performance standards;
• manage Authority and Contractor changes;
• ensure that all necessary obligations in respect of insurance, indemnities, performance bonds, health and safety procedures and other obligations are met;
• chair the Liaison Committee, as required;
• bring forward reports to the Authority on recommendations on deductions for
  sub-standard performance;
• receive and check invoices and make recommendation to the Authority on payments under the Payment Mechanism;
• ensure that the Contractor’s books are audited in accordance with the provisions of the contract;
• monitor and approve third party use;
• monitor the Contractor’s Asset Register;
• monitor the Contractor’s performance and draw up and bring forward an annual report on the same to the Authority;
• support the Authority in the development and production on Post Project evaluation at agreed intervals throughout the contract period;
• at contract end ensuring that the accommodation and the Furniture and Equipment are fit for purpose where they are to continue in operation;
• supporting the retendering of the service, if appropriate;
• assessing and making provision for any liabilities arising from the return of the assets;
• implementing the Authority agreed contract end procedures

As part of Financial Management, the post holder will:

• provide financial support and advice as required across all projects and to all Authorities;
• provide financial support and advice in relation to financial models, LMS and Affordability;
• manage and maintain affordability spreadsheets and agree figures with the Authority, schools and Department of Education;
• monitor PPP affordability and report anomalies arising over time to Authorities;
• monitor Unitary Charge payments and report to Authorities on same;
• provide financial support to all projects across all phases of procurement, construction and operation;
• maintain PPP benchmark database and advise Authority accordingly;
• provide financial support to all Post Project Evaluation Teams;
• provide financial support and expertise to all PPP reviews, post project evaluations and any other such reviews as required;
• calculate the outcomes of benchmarking exercises and agree revised unitary payments with school authorities, contract managers and PPP operators;
• update unitary charges and upgrades on assigned project(s) and agree these with all stakeholders;
• update allocation of unitary charge including DE capital contribution;
• in liaison with EA accounting officers advise on the accounting treatment to be applied to the unitary charge and agree same with all stakeholders;
• provide support to PPP projects and school authorities and the Department of Education on any financial exercises that may arise from time to time in relation to PPPs;
• provide reports and information to all school authorities and the Department of Education as required.

MANAGEMENT

The post-holder will be responsible for supervising, managing, and leading teams engaged in the development of projects and management of contracts. This will include:

• Service staff aligned to projects or workstreams.
• Internal and external Clerk of Works allocated to projects.
• Integrated Consultant Teams (ICT) and Integrated Supply Teams (IST).
• Contract Mangers, Contractors, Facility Management providers and Suppliers.

DECISION MAKING

The post-holder will be expected to:

• To make managerial, architectural and technical decisions throughout the design, production and construction phases of the EA’s in-house and external projects.
• To make managerial and technical decisions throughout the contract period of the EA’s PPP projects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The post-holder will:

• Work under the direction of the Service Manager / Head of Service.

WORK COMPLEXITY

The post-holder will be expected to completely deliver the services of:

• A qualified construction professional in the application of specific projects and other matters relevant for the service
• A Senior Project Manager
• A Senior Contracts Manager

The post-holder will be expected to promote the corporate vision, values and culture of the EA, including:

• Manage and Lead Others.
• Improve, Challenge and Coach colleagues and teams, helping them fine-tune their skills, improving their industry knowledge and improving service delivery.
• Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviours.
• Ensure that ICT, IST, and others, on each project or workstream, are provided with clear structures, roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way.
• Contribute to transformational change, structures, strategies, policies and processes.

COLLABORATE WORKING

The post-holder will work collaboratively and be expected to:

• Enhance the development of the service by building effective relationships.
• Manage effective communication plans and consultation with stakeholders.
• Contribute to meetings, in accordance with corporate goals and service requirements.
• Develop links and relationships with:
  • Colleagues across the Authority’s Directorates,
  • Senior Responsible Officers,
  • Department of Education (DE),
  • Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC),
  • the Council for the Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS),
  • the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE),
  • the Governing Bodies Association (GBANI),
  • Boards of Governors,
  • Statutory Bodies,
  • External Consultants, Contractors, and suppliers.
• Liaise with the public.

CREATIVE WORK

The post-holder will be expected to:

• Provide professional and technical design and development in the delivery of the Service and works programmes.
• Challenge conventional approaches, harness new apporaches and maximise efficiencies.

OTHER DUTIES

The post-holder will be expected to:

• Provide professional support and advice to Stakeholders.
• Provide non-managerial support, information and training, as required.
• Provide advice and assistance on building maintenance and technical standards, when required.
• Undertake training, as may be required, for personal and professional development.
• Contribute and assist in service development, planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Contribute and assist in the development of policies, plans and objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory legislation.
• Ensure risks are assessed, monitored, managed, and controlled effectively.
• Participate and/or undertake review processes to enable compliance of all quality assurance policies and procedures, maintaining and enhancing the high standards of the Authority.
• Prepare, maintain, manage, review and deliver effective reports and financial controls.
• Monitor expenditure ensuring propriety, regularity, and value for money.
• Represent the service and/or deputise for the Service Manager as required.
• Undertake such other duties relevant to the post as directed by the Service Manager.
• In accordance with the business needs of the Infrastructure and Capital Development Division, may be required to assist in the delivery of Minor Capital Delivery Programme.
• Comply with EA policies and procedures in relation to their duties and responsibilities.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

Hold a Bachelor’s Degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification in Project Management or a Construction related discipline; OR Corporate membership of a relevant Professional Institute, ie Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Association of Building Engineers (ABE), Association for Project Management (APM), Project Management Institute (PMI); Chartered Institute of Architectural Technician (CIAT); Architects Registration Board (ARB).

Shortlisting by Application Form.

Experience

Have a minimum of five years' experience in leading and managing the delivery of multiple large-scale projects*, in excess of £2m construction value.

Demonstrable experience of using the NEC Suite of Contracts, in the delivery of multiple large-scale projects*, in excess of £2m construction value.

*As part of your response, each project description should be included, including your role.

Shortlisting by Application Form.

Knowledge

Demonstrable knowledge of the workflows within ‘Building Information Modelling’, including creating and/or managing digital information on a construction project throughout the design and construction phases.

Shortlisting by Application Form.

Other

The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Shortlisting by Application Form.

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

Knowledge of the requirements of a Project Manager; Knowledge of the functions of the Education Authority; Knowledge of EA policies and procedures.

Interview/Presentation.

Skills/Abilities

In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to talk and present to a range of audiences, acting as a translator between parties; The ability to deliver high performance whilst working under pressure on multiple projects within project timeframes; Strong collaborative skills to build genuine and productive relationships with internal & external stakeholders; A customer focused passion for creating solutions with a positive attitude to implementing improvements/change; Excellent proven analytical & creative thinking and an informed evidence-based approach to decision-making.

Interview.

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

Knowledge of governance procedures for large-scale projects, in excess of £2m construction value, including establishing and managing projects throughout the initiation, design and construction phases.

Shortlisting by Application Form.

Qualifications/Professional Membership

Be a member of the Association of Project Management and/or have an APM qualification; Be a NEC Accredited Project Manager.

Shortlisting by Application Form.

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed on www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks or www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-accessni.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.