Skip to Content

Head of Project Management

Reporting to Managing Director – Professional Services

Summary of responsibilities:

  • Overall leadership responsibility for the Project Management (PM) business unit. The PM business unit is in growth mode and expanding services to support Vercity growth into new sectors.
  • Responsible for PM vision, business plan, setting objectives, growth, integration and development of the PM team and the quality of its services proposition in conjunction with the MD, Group Finance Director and Vercity’s CEO.
  • Financial and service delivery accountability for the PM business unit.
  • Manage client relationships at strategic level including obtaining feedback on service improvement and seeking new business opportunities.
  • Responsibility for the necessary resourcing, setting the professional standards for performance management and service quality of PM service delivery, working in collaboration with all other teams and departments within Vercity.
  • Internal ‘service expert’ on PM, including sharing knowledge internally across the business relating to, e.g. best practice, value for money, planning and delivery of works, e.g. defects, lifecycle, variations, refurbishments and new builds); and the management of project Professional Team appointments.
  • Leads on selection and implementation of PM systems and data management.

Information

Location

UK

Hours

Monday - Friday 9am-5pm

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities:

General

  • Provide regular reports on financial and service delivery performance of PM business unit as determined by the MD and Vercity’s CEO.
  • Communicate wider Vercity objectives and company information to the PM team.
  • Lead the PM management team on the delivery of all aspects of PM services, and team performance. Acts as a role model demonstrating Vercity values and behaviours in everything you do.
  • Ensure delivery of projects in line with Vercity’s Management System, national standards, best practice and relevant legislation. Acts as custodian for Vercity standard operating procedures relevant to PM.
  • Ensure that applicable Health, Safety and Environmental principles are implemented and maintained
  • Deal with escalations and where required escalate issues to MD and Vercity’s CEO as appropriate.
  • Coach, mentor, motivate, line-manage and supervise direct reports and influence them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned tasks.
  • Manage, produce and issue weekly time sheets for yourself and the team under your control
  • Undertake Individual Performance Reviews (IPR) for yourself and the team under your control.

Business Planning and Development

  • Proactively develop with the MD Vercity’s PM service proposition, in accordance with Vercity’s vision of quality of output and high standards of Client satisfaction.
  • Support the MD in relation to all Business Development and related Marketing activities, including identification and networking with existing and new clients, generating appropriate leads.
  • Collaborate with the Vercity Marketing and Communications lead.
  • In coordination with other Professional Service Directors develop multi-disciplinary consultancy offering to internal and external clients.

 

Growth

  • Work with the PM management team to identify and progress new or existing opportunities which may exist for delivering PM services to existing and new clients.
  • Support the MD for Consulting Solutions and the MD Strategic Growth where required in work winning, business development and client engagement activities.
  • Organise, support and promote Vercity events which may foster client interest in Consultancy services generally including PM services.
  • Deliver high quality bid writing and presentation of PM seeking to appropriately combine multi-disciplinary skill sets for the benefit of Professional Services.
  • Protect Vercity interests ensuring robust commercial decision making and ensure governance in line with Vercity’s Delegation of Authority.
  • Ensure that the PM team’s consultancy appointments are in accordance with standard terms and otherwise prepared, agreed (in accordance with Delegated Authority) and issued to the client for agreement and signature as well as counter signature by the relevant designate within Vercity.

 

Delivery

  • Oversee and manage the quality of the service (including the quality of cost plans, progress reports and advisory reports generally), prepared by the PM team, aligned to fulfil the requirements of the appointment with the client and in accordance with Vercity policies and procedures, including ISO 9001 requirements.
  • Attend client board meetings where appropriate to observe the service leader’s report on progress of Vercity’s services.
  • Undertake Quality Assurance reviews of PM team reports, programmes, budgets and other outputs before submission to the client.
  • Meet with clients (external and internal GMs) to obtain feedback on the performance of Vercity’s deliverables and quality of PM deliverables.
  • Provide regular reports to Vercity’s MD of Professional Services and CEO in relation to performance of Vercity’s services.
  • Liaise with Vercity’s Legal and Commercial Director to allow them to inform insurance brokers and underwriters about current PM Services ensuring that commercial risk is covered by relevant insurance policie
  • Lead and manage the process for continuous improvement including team audits and internal audits, implementation of guidance, procedure and policies generally, with reference to MyPolicies.

       

      Financial Management

      • Assess and track PM Business Unit financial performance against forecast and budget.
      • Assess profitability and optimise financial returns on PM commissions.
      • Regularly review financial performance with the Vercity financial controller and update the financial forecast as required.
      • Ensuring invoicing is properly administered with all necessary reporting documentation appropriate to the commission.
      • Monitor and approve billing and payments and approve client and sub-contractor invoices in line with Delegation of Authority.
      • Regularly review debtor days, accrued income and cost status.
      • Escalate issues related to late payment within Vercity’s client base as required to MD and/or CEO.

      People and Leadership

      • Ensure compliance with Vercity MyPolicies, including guidance, policies and procedures applicable to consultancy.
      • Review reports on team utilisation, productivity and team performance.
      • Plan, coordinate and chair PM Management and Team meetings effectively and efficiently.
      • Champion professional development of PM team members to support succession planning objectives.
      • Ensure appropriate team resourcing in accordance budget and service delivery requirements.

       

      Compliance

      • Ensure HSAW legislation is fully observed always and that Vercity’s HSAW policies and procedures are adhered to.

      Undertake other duties as requested by Vercity in accordance with Vercity’s delivery of contract arrangements.Assess and track PM Business Unit financial performance against forecast and budget.Assess profitability and optimise financial returns on PM commissions.Regularly review financial performance with the Vercity financial controller and update the financial forecast as required.Ensuring invoicing is properly administered with all necessary reporting documentation appropriate to the commission.Monitor and approve billing and payments and approve client and sub-contractor invoices in line with Delegation of Authority.Regularly review debtor days, accrued income and cost status.Escalate issues related to late payment within Vercity’s client base as required to MD and/or CEO.

    This job description is intended to reflect, in outline, the responsibilities of the post-holder which may change over time with the Corporate and local business needs of Vercity and the particular PFI contract. It will therefore, be subject to periodic review.

    Person Specification

    Experience and Competencies

    • Proven delivery of projects – small, mid, complex – minimum £10m value desired.
    • Extensive Cost and Project Management experience.
    • Is seen as a thought leader in the marketplace.
    • Comprehensive understanding of costing and estimating and the cost management of project, works procurement, project management and delivery, and stakeholder management.
    • Project management portfolio includes, but not limited to: construction works, building, mechanical and electrical.
    • Proven experience in project management, including all aspects of process development and execution in a high-profile, high-volume environment
    • Understanding of the relationship between PFI project parties (including Lenders)
    • Experience of PFI Projects (desired not essential)
    • Experience of building and managing teams.
    • Senior manager and leader with 10 plus years of experience
    • Experience of working within the built environment, including commercial, direct public sector and PFI schemes.
    • Being confident in advising clients on complex issues and managing conflict.
    • Experience of interpreting complex information and undertaking analysis of information from differing sources to formulate a conclusion.
    • Experience of picking out key information and reporting it in a timely manner using appropriate means of communication.
    • Gravitas and the ability to influence clients, senior managers and leaders.
    • Building strong working relationships with other stakeholders whilst ensuring that the best interests of the projects are promoted and maintained.

    Skills

    • Possess a high degree of interpersonal skills utilising these to build trust and confidence.
    • Problem solving in complex environments.
    • Excellent written and presentational skills.
    • Articulate and competent communication.
    • Computer literate with Microsoft Office suite of programmes.
    • Demonstrable ability to plan, organise and prioritise workload with limited guidance.
    • Manage time to meet changing priorities and deadlines whilst ensuring the core tasks are delivered.
    • Effectively and actively participate in internal and external meetings.
    • Ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships.

    Personal Attributes

    • Catalyst – You are self-motivated to act towards achieving a goal. You are confident using your own initiative to take forward actions.
    • Change Agent – You are positive and inspirational in leading and supporting others through change.
    • Confident – You take charge of situations, people and decisions. You communicate with confidence and give direction.
    • Service focused – You look for ways to serve customers putting their needs at the heart of everything you do.
    • Visionary – You create and share a clear vision of the future.
    • Professional in approach, outward looking, and confident.
    • Promotes effective teamwork, shares information widely.
    • Willingness to undertake Continued Professional Development (CPD)

    Qualifications

    • Degree level education or equivalent experience desired.
    • Professional Membership of a related organisation; CIOB, APM, RICS, IET, IMechE.
    • The candidate should hold a relevant professional qualification in quantity surveying, building surveying, project management or similar.

    Vercity believes that diversity is paramount to driving creativity, innovation and value for our clients and for our people. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, or social background.

    Job Applicant Privacy Notice

    Apply now

    Please send us your name, contact details, CV and cover letter here.