Project Manager

Project Manager (Major and Strategic Development)

Location: Penrith, Kendal or Barrow

Contract: Permanent

About this opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Thriving Places Directorate within the Sustainable Transport Team. This team develops and delivers strategies, policies, and projects to support inclusive, sustainable and integrated transport projects across the Westmorland & Furness area.

This is a key post based within the Major and Strategic Development Team supporting the development of infrastructure projects, responding to major projects (including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)) and contributing to place-based economic growth.

About the role

This is an exciting, high-profile role supporting the management of the Council’s formal and technical responses to large and complex development projects, including the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project and the expansion of BAE Systems in Barrow. The project manager will work closely with colleagues within the team, as well as working collaboratively with project promoters and external partners where appropriate, to manage the Council’s project engagement. The aim is to ensure that major development is planned, approved and implemented with proper regard to meeting local needs, protecting and enhancing the environment and achieving the best overall outcome.

The project manager will be responsible for defining, developing, and delivering projects on time and to agreed outcomes, that are complex and strategic in nature or carry a high level of risk.

You will:

• Manage the delivery of major projects to high-quality standards,
• Prepare project documentation, define project objectives, plans, costs, and performance measures to ensure that work is carried out efficiently and effectively, meeting budgets and deadlines
• Actively engage and communicate with project sponsors, owners and stakeholders (internal and external) throughout the course of each project to deliver the project efficiently and identify and agree solutions.
• Manage the work and priorities of the project team to ensure the project delivers quality products and outcomes
• Conduct analysis and research to identify improvements and best practice

Who are we looking for?

To fulfil this role we are looking for a passionate, motivated and organised individual who has the following:

• Degree level qualification or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Experience of developing and delivering complex projects in a large organisation
• Experience of supervising staff or co-ordinating project teams
• Experience of working with external partners, managing stakeholder relationships, managing conflict and resolving problems
• Commitment to excellent customer service and service improvement
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• Good interpersonal skills, including communication, negotiating, people management and motivation
• Political awareness and an ability to manage sensitive project issues.

We are supportive of a hybrid approach to working, including working from home and from our offices in Penrith, Kendal and Barrow.

Would you like more information? For an informal chat about the role, please contact Guy Kenyon, Senior Programme Manager, on 07881 007838.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 4th January 2025