Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Newcastle University

Senior Project Manager

 Working Pattern:  Full Time

Posted Date:  19 Mar 2024

Salary:£45,585 to £48,350 with progression to £54,395 per annum with potential for market factor supplement

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 07 April 2024

Based within the Estates & Facilities Service, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced construction professional to join our Capital Team of Project Managers.

The Capital Team are an in-house service that is responsible for the design, development and management of capital development projects across the University. Our 50-acre Newcastle City Centre Campus is the hub of teaching, research and collaboration and we have a strong pipeline of projects that seek to respond to a number of key strategic priorities, including; a net zero carbon target of 2030 and ensuring our facilities enable high quality education and world class research. This role will play a significant part in providing a campus for the future.

We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience managing building projects in the construction industry, this could be as a contractor, consultant or in a client-side role. You will oversee the supervision of the University’s major capital developments, as well as occasional long-term maintenance and improvement projects within the service. Project values range broadly and therefore your workload will be both varied and interesting.

The Senior Project Managers operate within a team of four, reporting to a Team Leader – James Adshead. There are five other team members across the Capital Team including Project Engineers / Project Surveyors and a Soft Landings Manager. Your role is based at our Newcastle city centre campus, with some occasional travel to offsite locations across the North East.

One of our most recent projects is the redevelopment of the Stephenson Building. Information on the project can be found in this link:

The Stephenson Building – Who we Are – Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)

Please reach out to James Adshead, Capital and Planning Manager on james.adshead@ncl.ac.uk to arrange a call to chat about this opportunity.

Please note: The University has funding available for any candidates who do not currently hold a valid CSCS card (Construction Safety Certification Scheme).

*Interviews will be held 23rd April 2024

Key Accountabilities

• To lead capital projects through the RIBA Plan of Works schedule, ensuring project objectives are delivered throughout

• Work in liaison across other teams within Estates and Facilities such as the Sustainability, Planning, Improvement and Maintenance Teams as well as key stakeholders across the University to develop a client brief and determine the optimum project and costs sufficient to allow the business case to be demonstrated and the project to be approved by the University Executive

• Be responsible for the development of comprehensive programmes incorporating all key activities the through the design and construction process through to completion, commissioning and occupation (including soft landings)

• Take financial responsibility for the project to ensure that timely payments are made and recorded and that expenditure is monitored regularly and reported to ensure that any threats / risks to completion of the project within budget are addressed as necessary

• Be responsible for the overall management and associated reporting of projects. To include project progress, governance, finances, quality, risk management, health and safety and other key aspects of the project across University Committees and meetings including Steering groups, project meetings and other forums as required

• Lead the procurement and appointment of architectural and engineering design teams, other specialist consultants, contractors and suppliers to oversee the development of the design and construction to ensure it fulfils the needs and expectations of stakeholders as well as functional, programme and cost requirements

• Work in partnership with colleagues to specify, procure and deliver feasibility reports, options appraisals and impact assessments including external funding bids

• Set up and manage third party relationships as appropriate with external stakeholders, tenants and landlords, local authorities, statutory authorities, funders, utility services and other agencies etc

• Take responsibility for the client role as defined under the CDM Regulations and consult with other sections of the Estates and Facilities and the Principal Designer to ensure the organisation meets its requirements under all Health and Safety legislation

• Implement and promote the use of Building Information Modelling throughout the design and build process and ensure that the electronic drawings and manuals are integrated into the existing Estates and Facilities data systems. Liaise with the BIM Manager

• Direct and work alongside external consultant teams and University colleagues, including the Estates and Facilities Project Surveyor / Project Engineer, throughout the design and construction process and monitor and report progress during the project, to ensure the project is on programme and within budget

• Liaise with client representatives and adjacent occupants to advise on the potential implications and disruption caused by the building programme and to implement and co-ordinate any actions to minimise disturbance

• Contribute to the Post Occupancy Evaluation of completed projects between 1 and 2 years after Practical Completion. Work alongside the Estates and Facilities CDM / Soft Landings Manager

• Undertake other duties as and when required by the Capital Manager

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Proven track record of managing projects in the construction industry, ensuring compliance with design brief and contractual obligations with deadlines, changing priorities, quality requirements, budget and stakeholder management

• Working knowledge of construction contracts and the roles and responsibilities within those

• Solid understanding and experience of construction methods and technologies

• An up-to-date knowledge of public procurement regulations

• Up to date knowledge of statutory requirements, legislation & contract law relating to building projects including Health & Safety

• Proficient in the reading of drawings and technical specifications

• Ability to organise time to manage conflicting priorities within a demanding workload

• Experience of working in a team and stakeholders to support positive outcomes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Good attention to detail

• Good IT skills with working knowledge of software packages, such as Microsoft Office packages

Attributes and Behaviour

• Can demonstrate an ability to think flexibly, have sound judgement, use initiative, be proactive and adopt an active approach to problem solving

• Comfortable working alongside senior colleagues to shape the project direction and programme including the negotiation skills and the ability to influence others

• Ability to working on own initiative and as part of a team

• Collaborative worker who builds on relationships with clients, colleagues, consultants, and contractors with excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills

• Proven leadership skills and ability to promote “ownership” of decisions regarding colleagues and financial resources limited by the overall budget

Qualifications

• Education to degree level, either in a relevant construction discipline, or with substantial equivalent professional experience in an estate development role

Desirable

• Chartered member of an appropriate professional body

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26846