Senior Project Manager

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our

Within our consult business, we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential of every project. 

The project:

Mace has a significant track record in the education sector, working with schools, colleges, local authorities, and central government to deliver ‘landmarks for learning’ nationally with a strength of vision and concept that are sustainable, inherently flexible and able to change to meet future needs. Mace is a leading consultant for the department for education (DfE) delivering across all their principal capital programmes, including the schools re-building programme, free schools, special educational needs, further education (colleges) and institutes of technology.

We are seeking project managers looking to further their careers working in a high performing team on a wide portfolio of work covering new build, refurbishment, remodelling and carbon reduction schemes. Mace’s ability to provide the key multidisciplinary services of design, cost, information management, sustainability and health and safety in house means that clients benefit from an integrated end to end service with a single point of accountability.

This is a client-side secondment role, working closely with DfE colleagues, with responsibility for planning, coordination and control of DfE capital projects from inception to completion, aimed at meeting DfE’s requirements to produce a functionally viable and sustainable project that will be completed safely, on time, within authorised cost and to the defined quality standards.

Mace people share a common drive to succeed, enthusiasm for their work and a passion for providing exceptional service to our clients and communities. This is embodied within our purpose “To redefine the boundaries of ambition,” underpinned by our three distinct priorities; pursue a sustainable world, grow together, and deliver distinctive value.

Mace has an agile working approach with duties performed from home and Mace offices. Occasional travel will be required to project sites and Mace hub offices. The roles are flexible and allow for full or part time working.

A series of remediation projects comprising infrastructure, fabric to existing laboratory and research facilities.

Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

Safety first - Going home safe and well: 

You will promote Mace's value of safety first, exhibiting visible safety behaviours, sharing lessons learned and using safety moments and Mace's HSW framework to support the safety and wellbeing of all Mace staff. 

You will possess technical expertise in local health and safety rules and regulations relevant to project portfolio. 

You will champion a diverse and inclusive working environment and understand the importance of the wellbeing of the people in your team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: 

You will ensure quality systems are suitably managed in line with service excellence. 

You will deliver and manage project plans from project inception/brief, through design development and planning, contractor procurement and construction phase in accordance with the overall delivery program and agreed project milestones. 

You will manage tasks and associated deliverables in support of senior project managers and other leaders, alongside the wider project and client teams, to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of the project.

Working with property and legal teams to agree and finalise commercial terms for the site acquisition.

Developing an overall project programme that incorporates any commercial key dates agreed as part of the heads of terms for the property deal.

Reviewing the site report provided by the property team to ensure the department of education project team is briefed on the terms of the site acquired for the school project, such as planning, long stop dates, financial commitments, licences to carry out works.

Ensuring that the department of education project team understand the assumptions around the scope, procurement route and budget for the project.

Managing the external technical adviser to complete a feasibility study for submission to department of education for approval in accordance with department of education processes.

Ensuring the procurement process undertaken by the technical adviser is compliant with government procurement assurance standards.

Managing department of education processes to seek approval for any change in scope, procurement and budget.

Ensuring all programme dates, risks and issues are accurately reported.

Liaising with commercial managers to ensure all legal agreements are in place to access the site to undertake and works.

Ensuring all financial reporting is accurately forecasted.

Overseeing the handover strategy to be agreed by the technical adviser and contractor.

Ensuring all statutory approvals and contract certifications.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: 

You will manage project budgets and highlight any risks, challenges and mitigations. 

You will support the long-term development of your function or business unit (BU), creating a sustainable business future. 

You will commit to making a positive impact for our people, our clients, and our planet, and take ownership for holding others to account who do not uphold the Mace values. 

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: 

You will manage design and wider consultant teams in a collaborative manner to ensure effective completion of responsibilities. 

You will manage the project team and relevant stakeholders to achieve strategic project key performance indicators (KPIs). 

You will actively network and seek understanding of best practice, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace group, the centres of excellence, mace way control centre and knowledge hub.

You’ll need to have: 

You have a degree qualification in a relevant discipline and will be working towards membership of a professional body institute such as RICS, CIOB or APM. You have experience in contract administration and using various forms of contract, in particular, NEC will be preferable.

You have experience in managing complex projects with public sector clients and thrive on delivering positive outcomes. 

You are digitally savvy, can build lasting client relationships and work well as part of a team. 

You will have experience in delivering projects in a consultancy environment, keen to grow your career and enjoy the opportunities Mace has to offer.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation. 

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role. 

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