Senior Project Manager - Higher Education Sector

Winchester, England, United Kingdom

12/11/2024

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 strategy site.

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

A variety of university projects across the southeast region. This role is to work as part of the wider university UK team as part of the senior leadership team. The UK university sector is undergoing continuous change as a result of the pandemic that will change the way the built environment meets the needs of its users, becoming more flexible and adaptable to blending ways of learning. Decarbonisation of the university estate continues more than ever to be a priority and in line with the Mace priorities, we continue to support universities in achieving their own ambitions in response to the climate emergency declarations. At Mace, we have extensive experience delivering projects, estate strategies, estate master planning and supporting the decarbonisation of their estate for a wide range of university clients across the UK.  

We are currently expanding our university team and are seeking a talented senior project manager to join us, this opportunity will support and grow our project and programme management services and will be instrumental in driving numerous high-profile projects, making it an essential addition to our team. The role will involve taking responsibility for end-to-end service delivery, often with respect to large and complex commissions within the public and private sectors. You will get the opportunity to work on prestigious projects with high-profile clients in an exciting time for Mace as we continue to develop our market offerings.

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

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 the project portfolio.
• You will promote a diverse and inclusive working environment and understand the importance of the well-being of the people in your team.
  
  

Client Focus - Deliver On Our Promise

• You will ensure robust quality systems are in place, and suitably managed in line with service excellence.
• You will manage delivery 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 the associate director and other senior leaders, alongside the wider project and client teams, to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of the project.
• Successful delivery of the project or programme - managing, monitoring and coordinating all key aspects of the project, including but not limited to, cost, value, risk, logistics, neighbour relations, safety, quality, M&E, design and environment.
• Ensuring project control and admin documents are produced and regularly reviewed/updated (PEP, programme, risk register and etc.).
• Managing and monitoring the performance of the professional team and the main contractor with one vision throughout the project lifecycle.
• Establishing appropriate project reporting procedures and systems and preparing regular/monthly quality, cost and progress/programme reports to the client.
• Setting up and chairing regular progress meetings throughout all RIBA stages and reporting on project and commercial progress, issues and risks.
• Managing and developing the team to ensure the client’s vision is adhered to, goals are met and that the project team are supported and motivated throughout. 
• Line management as and when required.
• Overseeing the production of tender schedules and contributing to the procurement of trade contractors.
• Issuing the instructions, on behalf of the client, to the contractor and any professional team in accordance with the terms of their appointment or the building contract.
• Advising the client of any decisions required and obtaining
• Setting up and chairing regular progress meetings throughout all RIBA stages and reporting on project and commercial progress, issues and risks.
• Managing and developing the team to ensure the client’s vision is adhered to, goals are met and that the project team are supported and motivated throughout. 
• Line management as and when required.
• Overseeing the production of tender schedules and contributing to the procurement of trade contractors. Issuing the instructions, on behalf of the client, to the contractor and any professional team in accordance with the terms of their appointment or the building contract.
• Advising the client of any decisions required and obtaining authorisation.
• Assessing resources available on a regular basis and bringing in additional support/specialist expertise.
• Ensuring close-out and practical completion schedules are completed and issued.
• Preparing detailed project plans and providing financial authorisation.
• Assessing resources available on a regular basis and bringing in additional support/specialist expertise.
• Ensuring close-out and practical completion schedules are completed and issued.
• Preparing detailed project plans and providing financial reports on time (forecasts, budgets, income, fees and etc.).
  
  

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 the design and wider consultant teams in a collaborative manner to ensure the effective completion of responsibilities.
• You will lead and manage the project team and relevant stakeholders to achieve strategic project key performance indicators (KPIs).
• You will actively network, innovate, and seek an understanding of best practices, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace group, the centres of excellence, Mace way control centre and the knowledge hub.
  
  

You’ll Need To Have

• A degree qualification in a relevant discipline.
• A member of a professional body institute such as RICS, CIOB or APM.
• Proven experience with higher education clients.
• Track record of winning and delivering work for new build, refurbishment, and infrastructure works and estate master planning experience in delivering complex HE projects.
• Wide experience of strategic advice on the built environment such as estate strategies, master planning, decarbonisation, and technology.
• Experience in contract administration and using various forms of contract, in particular, NEC will be preferable.
• Experience in negotiating, influencing and communication skills to command professional respect at all levels.
• Cost consultancy practice in a commercial environment.
  
  

You’ll Also Have

• Substantial experience in the successful delivery phase of projects and programmes in the consultancy sector.
• Property or infrastructure project management expertise.
• Commercial and financial acumen.
• Experience in leading parts of projects within large, diverse teams.
• Experience in developing and forming relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of how carbon and sustainability considerations will shape the outlook of the projects you are working on.
  
  

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.