Project Assistant

Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.

**Purpose of the role**:
Our core values reflect the need to focus on safety, sustainability, and customer value. We are a looking for a VMS Project Assistant, to join the ITS team who will actively contribute to the success of the Variable Message Sign (VMS) contracts and projects across the UK, with a specific focus on contracts and projects on the National Highways Strategic Road Network.

Colas Ltd. have an opportunity for a VMS Project assistant to join based in Grantham, **NG31 7LG** will support the VMS contract manager in planning, executing and closing variable message sign projects in line with contract requirements. This role involves collaborating with multiple stakeholders, ensuring programmes are met on time with a focus on safety, whilst adhering to budget, and quality standards.

**Main Responsibilities**:
As a VMS Project Assistant you will be involved heavily in project management, this will include: assisting in developing programmes, logistics, and budgets in accordance with the contract requirements, coordinate project activities and resources, ensuring compliance with contract specifications and monitor project progress and provide regular updates to the contract manager. Communication is key within this role, you will facilitate regular communication between staff, stakeholders, and suppliers to ensure adherence to contract requirements and prepare and distribute project documentation, including meeting notes, progress reports, and contract updates. You will be involved in risk management, being able to identify project risks related to the engineering contract and assist in developing and monitoring mitigation strategies and track issues and escalate to the project manager as necessary. You will be responsible for providing the accounts team with the information required to prepare and submit accurate invoices for project deliverables in accordance with the contract terms. You will assist in reviewing project deliverables to ensure they meet quality standards and contractual obligations. You will ensure project documentation is maintained and filing systems, ensuring all contract-related materials are organised. You will support the project manager in administrative functions as needed.

As a Project Assistant, it is essential you Excellent verbal and written communication skills, be detail orientated and diligent and have strong administrative skills. You will have ambition and passion and be self-motivated, which is important in this role.

**Package Description**:
Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:

- A salary of £25,000 and £32,500 (dependent on experience)
- Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
- Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
- 25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
- Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
- Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
- Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
- Ongoing personal / professional development
- Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal

**Note to Recruitment Agencies**:
**In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring and we will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.**

As a business, we hold three core values **Caring**, **Sharing** and **Daring**. We are committed to **Caring **for our colleagues, promoting, equality and diversity, and maintaining a culture of fairness, transparency, and respect for all employees, clients, communities, suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders. We harness a productive environment where talents are being fully utilised and organisational goals are met,** Sharing** our knowledge and expertise with colleagues to progress and expand on new ideas, promoting trust, responsibility, and solidarity. Our culture is built on an innovative and pioneering mindset, **Daring** to welcome new ideas and approaches. We are driven to invest in our employees and encourage them to participate in innovation, moving forward and striving to provide sustainable infrastructure solutions.