Head of Projects

Location: London based (travel between the Historic Royal Palaces venues)                 

Responsible To: Adrian Phillips, Palaces and Collections Director   

We are seeking a Head of Projects who will be an instrumental lead in shaping and delivering the major development projects in buildings and conservation that transform the sites in HRP’s care.

Along with project management expertise you will be expected to provide strong leadership within the Palaces and Collections Department and to the Projects team, so strong communication and coaching skills are essential to support the development and motivation of the professional and successful team of Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Project Support, acting as ambassador for their work.

You will have a professional qualification in a construction discipline as well as extensive experience of managing and delivering major projects and a team of professionals.

Find out more about the job and expected experience at www.hrp.org.uk/head-of-projects

Salary:  circa £70,000 plus all the HRP benefits

Closing date:  15^th September 2019

Historic Royal Palaces is an equal opportunities employer and truly values a diverse workforce.  Applications are welcome from candidates regardless of their background.

Purpose of this job

To lead in shaping and delivering the major development projects that transform the sites in HRP’s care and to personally provide Project Sponsorship on selected projects by:

1. Providing leadership within the Palaces and Collection Department and to the Projects team.
2. Managing the Projects Team.
3. Developing and maintaining the Strategic Projects Plan and compiling the annual programmes for each site.
4. Providing the overall management and co-ordination of programmes of projects which together deliver key strategic initiatives/ changes at a particular site.
5. Managing/ overseeing the client side of the projects within the programme, providing the interface between project ownership and delivery.
6. Delivering projects that are effectively managed to meet exacting client requirements, cost, quality and programme criteria in accordance with HRP strategic goals and objectives.

Main customers to this job

Director of Palaces and Collections

Chief Executive, Executive Board and Trustees

Programme and Project Boards, Project Owners

Surveyor of the Fabric team

Other HRP Senior Leaders

HRP Staff

Visitors (now and in the future)

Key areas of responsibility:

1. Leadership

1.1     Accountability (shared with other managers) for the success of the Palaces and Collections Department.

1.2     Proactive membership of the Palaces and Collections Department management team, contributing to the overall direction and development of the department both within and outside functional expertise.

1.3     Leadership of the Projects team.

1.4     Development of clear strategies and Annual Operating Plans to set the direction and objectives for the Projects team within HRP’s rolling Strategic Plan.

1.5     Acting as advocate and ambassador for the Projects team, disseminating and interpreting information in both directions

1.7     Enhanced reputation of HRP in the heritage world through recognition of best practice and achievement.

1. Management
   1. Motivating, supervising, coaching and developing the Projects team to build a strong, professional and successful team.

2.2     Holding regular 1:1’s with each direct report and monthly Team meetings.

1. Managing Annual Performance and Development Reviews. Building an effective working environment with appropriate tools and equipment, continuous improvement and process review. Managing staff resources to achieve the Palaces and Collections Department and Projects Team Purpose and objectives. Managing project budgets to achieve best value and make the best use of available funds.

 

1. Strategic Projects Planning
   1. Ensuring the development and maintenance of Palace Future Plans for each site. Developing and maintaining the Strategic Projects Plan and compiling co-ordinated annual programmes for each site. Reviewing, bi-monthly, the rolling financial forecast for major projects and reviewing the Strategic Projects Plan annually, with recommendations to the Executive Board in time for their Autumn Strategic Planning awaydays.

  4.0 Programme Management 4.1  Supporting the process of project prioritisation, initiation and approval.

1. Supporting the Project Owner by providing advice and guidance on, and in establishing, project governance, management and benefits realisation. Managing the risks arising from the interfaces between projects, monitoring and responding to issues at a programme level. Planning and scheduling (time and resources). Budgetary control of the programme of projects. Co-ordinating outputs of each project to deliver the required outcome for the programme as a whole. Managing HRP and stakeholder engagement and communication. Assisting the Programme Board in championing the project and ensuring its high visibility across and outside the organisation. Reporting to the Programme Board and to Project Boards, where they are established for discrete projects. Project sponsoring individual projects within the programme.

5.0 Project Sponsorship

Act as Project Sponsor (as defined in the Project Management Procedures Manual) where there is no separate Sponsor, acting as a single focal point for the HRP-wide corporate interest and to successfully manage the Client side of the Project:

1.     Developing the project proposal by:

-          Adopting appropriate Stages and Gateways,

-          Developing the Project Mandate into a proposal

-          Agreeing fund-raising strategies, preparing and co-ordinating supporting information for HRPs Development team.

5.2     Defining the Project including

-          Co-ordinating and refining user requirements and stakeholder input.

-          Preparing and refining the Brief, the Plan and the Business Case.

-          Applying conservation strategies and ensuring alignment with other HRP strategies.

-          Preparing options appraisals and providing recommendations

-          Chairing Risk workshops.

5.3     Managing the Client-side Project team

–         Securing and agreeing roles and responsibilities across departments,

-          Co-ordinating and channelling end-user input throughout the life of the project, managing expectations.

-          Fostering teamwork, chairing project team meetings and co-ordination activities and inputs.

-          Allocating work packages ensuring no issues are double-counted or omitted.

5.4     Managing Project Managers of sub-projects:

5.5     Managing Communications

-          Establishing reporting on project progress (time, cost and performance) against eh Brief, Business Case and milestones.

-          Receiving and reviewing regular reports form the Project Manager and Team and reporting toe the Project Owner and Board.

-          Establishing and implementing the Project Communication Plan.

5.6     Formal Project Closure.

Core Qualities and Behaviours (HRP’s Performance Framework)

In addition to your main areas of responsibility, we have identified the core qualities and behaviours that are required from all our people for successful delivery of our Cause and Strategy.  These qualities/behaviours are summarized below.  Further details can be found in HRP’s Performance Framework.  Your role is primarily at level 3 of the Performance Framework.

• Ensure every customer (internal and external) feels delighted with their contact with HRP and the quality of the personal service/experience they receive. (Delighting the Customer)
• Manage yourself and others effectively through planning, organising and anticipating problems ahead. (Planning for Success)
• Deliver work on time and to the high standards required, by taking ownership for outcomes, demonstrating pride in their achievement. (Owning the Issue, Getting it Done)
• Explore and try fresh, novel ways of doing things that are in keeping with HRP’s Cause and add real value to the Organisation. (Having the courage to try new things)
• Continually develop expertise in key areas of your role, to ensure delivery of high quality work. (Developing our Expertise)
• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of the organisation, so that all your actions help achieve the best outcomes for HRP. (Knowing our Organisation)
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across functional and geographical boundaries to ensure the success of HRP. (One Team – One HRP)
• Lead, develop and encourage your team to succeed in their roles and to display the Qualities in the Performance Framework. (Supporting others to Succeed)

Other rules/standards

In addition to Key Areas of Responsibility and Core Qualities and Behaviours above, you are also required to have read, understood and comply with the rules/standards contained in HRP’s Code of Conduct.  These include rules/standards of Health and Safety.  The Code of Conduct can be found in your Staff Handbook.

Please click on the Apply button at the top or bottom of this page to start the application process