Sponsor

National Highways; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

National Highways is seeking a Sponsor to lead the delivery of a small project portfolio or a large-scale programme as part of Major Projects. You will support Programme Sponsors to deliver outcomes aligned with RIS and secure funding across project lifecycles.

This role requires coordinating with regional offices across the UK, chairing project committees, and managing risks and benefits to realise strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• Ability to evaluate situations, think clearly and communicate accurately in decisions and framing asks, risks, and issues.
• Good understanding of business cases and benefits management for major infrastructure projects.
• Experience in a complex customer facing organisation and using a recognised Programme and Project framework.
• Knowledge of how to build successful engagement with internal and external clients and stakeholders.
• Ability to drive best practice forward to effective implementation, dealing constructively with setbacks.
• Professional accreditation and/or membership of a relevant body is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of the Project Brief, Project and Portfolio benefits and business cases at different stages, so that solutions are developed that meet the objectives and outcomes of the RIS.
• Ensure investment proposals fit with the longer-term asset strategy and secure the necessary investment to deliver the business case. Ensure there is adequate funding for the project throughout all stages of the lifecycle.
• Ensure commercially viable option appraisal and design management is delivered, taking account of value for money, core business requirements, stakeholder risks, and interdependencies across local and strategic networks.
• Be accountable for the key decision making required throughout the project lifecycle to ensure all desired outcomes are delivered and benefits realised.
• Chair regular Project Committees for each project to ensure it is delivered in accordance with NH and Department for Transport governance requirements.
• Act as an escalation point for major risks, issues and changes, providing clear direction to the project teams throughout the lifecycle. Identify and manage all strategic risks within the project and work with project teams to mitigate them.

Skills

Programme governance

Benefits management

Stakeholder mgmt

Business case

Decision making

Communication

Job description

National Highways have an excellent opportunity for a Sponsor to join our team in Major Projects. As a Sponsor, you will initiate and oversee the delivery of a small project portfolio/sub-programme or a singular large-scale project. This role supports one or more Programme Sponsors to achieve the outcomes of large scale regional or national investment, ensuring alignment with NH strategic priorities and identifying and managing several individual schemes' benefits plans and Business Cases.

This position can be based from any of our UK offices however travel to regional offices to attend team meetings will be required.

Please note that we are recruiting for two positions. One of these opportunities is permanent and one is for a 23-month fixed-term contract. Candidates will be considered for both permanent and fixed-term opportunities unless they indicate a preference during the recruitment process.

• Assist in the development of the Project Brief, Project and Portfolio benefits and business cases at different stages, so that solutions are developed that meet the objectives and outcomes of the Roads Investment Strategy (RIS).
• Ensure that investment proposals fit with the longer-term asset strategy and secure the necessary investment to deliver the business case. Ensure that there is adequate funding for the project throughout all stages of the lifecycle.
• Ensure commercially viable option appraisal and design management is delivered, taking account of value for money, core business requirements, stakeholder risks, and interdependencies across local and strategic networks.
• Be accountable for the key decision making required throughout the project lifecycle to ensure all desired outcomes are delivered and benefits realised.
• Chair regular Project Committees for each project to ensure it is delivered in accordance with NH and Department for Transport governance requirements.
• Act as an escalation point for major risks, issues and changes, providing clear direction to the project teams throughout the lifecycle. Identify and manage all strategic risks within the project and work with project teams to mitigate them.

About you

• Ability to evaluate situations, think clearly and communicate accurately in making decisions and framing asks, risks, and issues.
• A good understanding of business cases and benefits management for major infrastructure projects,
• Experience of working in a complex customer facing organisation and using a recognised Programme and Project framework
• Knowledge of how to build successful engagement with internal and external clients and stakeholders.
• Ability to drive best practice forward to effective implementation, dealing constructively with setbacks.
• Professional accreditation and/or membership of a relevant body is desirable.

About us

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Major Projects are responsible for major enhancements to our road network. We make roads safer, journeys more reliable and unlock economic growth. At the same time, we seek out ways to create opportunities for sustainable travel, help nature to thrive and support our journey to net zero carbon.

Our team work closely with the supply chain to design and construct road projects, as well as develop a pipeline of possible projects as we look to the future.Our skills span many areas from customer experts, land and property advisers to project management. We understand the potential that our road schemes can bring.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.