Project Manager

Venesky-Brown’s client, a public sector organisation in Walsall, is currently looking to recruit a Project Manager for a 6 month contract on a rate of £500/day (Inside IR35) – working 37 hours per week. This role will be remote based with occasional requirement to attend the office.

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Responsibilities:

- To be responsible for the successful project management of large, complex, interdependent programmes of business change activity across the Council, its Partners and related organisations. To engage with senior executives within the organisation (in the conception, development, planning, monitoring, and implementation of the business change activity and align to Working Smarter Principles) and to proactively and effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders and customers to capture requirements and through innovative thinking delivery fit for purpose solutions.

- To be accountable for the project budget reporting any risk / slippage to the Programme Manager / Assistant Director of Transformation & Digital. The post holder is expected to comply with all Council financial and procurement regulations.

- Ensure the provision and availability of appropriate evidence and documents to demonstrate probity and transparency in respect of all Business Change related activity.

- Research best practice and maintain strong links with other public and private sector organisations that have already successfully implemented business change programmes and projects. Prepare and present documentation which brings forward this learning and knowledge into the wider organisation by way of recommendations to the Executive Directors, Programme Senior Responsible Owners and Project Executives.

- Contribute to complex policy development related to Business Change Projects that require the development and drafting of new policies, procedures and safety management standards and/ or propose amendments to existing ones where required together with implications for any changes.

- Lead, design, implement and monitor new ways of working which may lead to proposed policy and procedure changes

- Lead on complex process development to introduce new ways of working, develop and author all newly required procedures and make amendments to existing ones where required.

- Lead, design, implement and monitor detailed pilots to test untried proposed procedure changes

- Ensure outcomes and benefits that result from the Business Change projects of work are promoted, embedded and presented to affected stakeholders in respect of any potential changes to contracts of employment, job descriptions, employee specifications and risk assessment templates.

- Undertake governance activities including Gateway Reviews and Project and Project Health-checks including equality impact assessments and cost benefits analysis for each change as required. To provide levels of assurance to stakeholders with regards to risk assessment, ongoing validity of business case and the benefits associated.

- Prepare develop and present complex and robust business change business cases for sign off by Executive Directors.

- Promote the benefits of Business Change activity throughout the Council including the creation of case studies and other documentation and materials to all stakeholders, Executive Directors, Members, interested groups including trade unions, staff and equality groups.

- Provide project management advice and professional guidance and advice to Executive Director and senior management teams on the implementation of complex and contentious changes related to the specific Business Change activity.

- Monitor, review and evaluate the implementation of new Business Change activity (in terms of cost/benefit analysis, impact on productivity & wellbeing and enablement for the project) and manage the benefit realisation and savings and where appropriate modify/implement further changes to keep projections on track where required.

- Undertake detailed equality impact assessments and detailed cost benefits analysis for each change as required.

- Facilitate the appointment of individuals and other specialist providers to enable the successful delivery of the Business Change project.

- Ensure Business Change projects are of the appropriate level of quality; delivered on time; within budget and in accordance with governance arrangements.

- Proactively manage risks that may impact projects successful outcomes.

- Initiate additional or alternative actions and other management interventions whenever gaps are identified or issues arise.

- Manage the quality assurance, integrity and coherence of the Business Change programme and associated work streams within the programme. To proactively manage inter-dependencies across other strategic Business Change initiatives.

- Report detailed progress of the Business Change programme to Executive Directors, Scrutiny panels and CMT, and other stakeholders including Portfolio Holders and elected members as required at regular intervals. This will involve deputising on occasions for Senior Responsible Officer / Project Executive. Direct line management responsibility for all human resources allocated to the Business Change Programme using matrix management methodologies where necessary for seconded staff.

- Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

- Allocation and monitoring of work packages including performance management and undertaking EPAs.

- staff assessments and development of their personal training requirements

- selection and recruitment both internally and externally of the programme /project team resources

- managing teams of professional people in a multidisciplinary environment including external suppliers

- To chair and facilitate project meetings consisting of key stakeholders. Present procedure changes and new ways of working to the project / programme board Members for consultation and approval.

- Establish case studies and other marketing materials to sell the benefits of the change projects to all stakeholders across the organisation.

Essential Skills:

- To influence and lead people at all levels in the organisation

- Ability to influence policy and practice and manage change, influencing other professionals to adopt new ways of working

- Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to relay complex information to those at varying levels of understanding

- NOTE: The ability to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

- Demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain collaborative working

- Effective budget management skills

- Commitment to equality of opportunity

- Strong leadership skills

- A good understanding of working within a political environment

- Ability to write and present reports, strategies and action plans

- Track record of successfully managing a team

- An awareness of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity

- Demonstrate specialist knowledge of programme management including large scale change programmes

- Experience: specify type, level and qualitative (not quantitative required); if any.

- Significant experience in delivering large scale change projects

- Matrix Management - Experience of successfully managing the delivery of projects outside of own line management control

- Qualification: Specify any qualifications that are a minimum requirement, please include any equivalent qualifications that would be deemed acceptable or if this can be obtained through a on the job experience.

- Educated to Degree level or Postgraduate Diploma

- Prince 2 or equivalent recognised project management qualification

If you would like to hear more about this opportunity please get in touch.