Job Description

Project Manager, Housing PKC11331

£46,193 - £49,799

Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5GD

Based within the Housing, Capital Projects and New Build Team, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Project Manager to support the Housing Service to meet the requirements of the net zero targets set by the Scottish Government and the priorities identified by Perth & Kinross Council in meeting the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2019, EESSH2, Housing to 2040 and the Heat in Buildings Strategy. As the Project Manager you will have a lead role in overseeing various projects and delivering on their aims and objectives. With the support of a small team, which you will manage, the Project Manager will take a lead role in:

• Programming work to ensure all properties, where appropriate, are on track to meet the EEESH2 standard by 2032, including the options for refurbishment and regeneration programmes for hard to heat, end of life and non-effective stock

• Engaging with external consultants and colleagues from within Perth & Kinross Council to develop a Climate Change Strategy to plan improvements programmes to meet the targets of Climate Change legislation

• Managing programmes of work to retrofit existing housing stock properties

• Installing new technologies within our tenants’ home to support energy efficiency and behavioural changes

• Completing funding bids and applications for grants and investigation of other potential funding solutions, including HEEPS ABS, Warm Homes Fund and Decarbonisation Fund for Social Housing as examples.

• Engaging in innovative projects, including involvement in the Smart Cities Alliance and in the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) which are Council-wide projects.

As a Project Manager, you will report to the Team Leader for Capital Projects and New Builds. You will work in collaboration with colleagues across the Housing Service as well as other internal teams. A key part of the role will also be to work with external consultants to prepare a Climate Change Strategy and develop Capital delivery programmes that would ensure the service has a plan to address the obligations of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2019 and to meet the targets of EESSH2, Housing to 2040 and the Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Requirements

You will generally be required to work Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 5pm but due to the nature of the role and remit, there will be an expectation that you will be able to work flexibly, and this could include evenings and weekends especially for attending public meetings and carrying out surveys and consultation with community members.

To support and deliver on the role and remit of this post, the key areas of focus will be to:

• Assist the Team Leader in leading and managing the Council’s Housing Capital Investment Programme to meet the obligations of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2019 and to meet the targets of EESSH2, Housing to 2040 and the Heat in Buildings Strategy.

• Develop and manage projects focused on ensuring:

• All social housing to be EPC Band D by 2025 in order to be re-let.

• All fuel-poor households to reach EPC Band C by 2030

• All social housing to reach EPC Band B by 2032.

• Net zero emissions from heating buildings by 2045.

• Prepare project briefs, including managing and directing external consultants

• Review project proposals to ensure compliance with the Council’s design, financial and contract criteria

• Work closely with the Council’s Procurement section, manage the procurement of contractors in accordance with the Council’s requirements

• Ensure effective project management of programmes on site and ensure they are compliant with Health and Safety legislation and Construction and Design (CDM) Regulations

• Provide effective project management and financial monitoring to ensure programmes are delivered and financial targets achieved

• Engage, communicate, and consult with tenants, owner-occupiers and other customers to pursue opportunities to shape and develop improvement and energy efficiency projects and services within Housing and liaise with other Council services, utilities and external agencies

• Ensure completion of all required reports and documentation to meet all corporate and internal governance arrangements

• Assist the Team Leader with performance management and quality assurance to ensure project outcomes deliver Best Value

• Manage the performance of your team ensuring their services maintain high service standards and show commitment to sustainable and continuous improvement

• Create, develop and manage project plans for your team, including setting and measuring targets to achieve key service outcomes.

• Ensure your team are equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver the project outcomes under your control.

Responsibilities

Applicants must have experience of working in a housing, construction or surveying environment with a strong track record of successful project delivery and project management. To help in the delivery of the workload for this team, we are looking for a highly organised and motivated individual who is enthusiastic, innovative and creative. You must hold an HND or equivalent in a property, surveying or construction industry discipline or similar and a Project Management related qualification (eg. Prince2) along with a comprehensive working knowledge and significant working experience in building, construction and housing. Given the focus of the post, you should have a thorough knowledge of CDM Regulations and ability to carry out the role of Principal Designer with an extensive knowledge of contract management and partnering arrangements.

We are looking for someone who excels at project and programme management and has sound experience of budget management and financial control of contracts with strong IT skills (to use databases effectively and design spreadsheets to report statistical information). You must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to translate strategy and policy into clear messages which can be easily understood at all levels.

You must be receptive to new ideas and welcome change and new approaches and take positive steps to carry out improvements in service delivery.

You must also have the ability to manage and prioritise constant and often conflicting demands and be able to manage a number of projects and work streams simultaneously whilst responding to complex issues – with a “think YES approach” but still ensuring compliance with regulation, policy and legislation. Having excellent decision-making skills and the ability to use initiative and resolve problems independently will be essential for dealing with and resolving complex problems and complaints in this role. We are looking for a person who sets high standards for themselves and others and who is able to demonstrate the importance of working well with service partners in other departments and external agencies and who can build positive working relationships. Importantly, you should have a non-judgemental attitude, be empathetic and sensitive to tenants and resident’ needs.

You should be able to drive and hold a clean, current driving licence.

The Individual

For purposes of connection and collaboration with colleagues and with the community we serve, our full-time employees work from a work-related site two days per week, with the arrangements for part-time employees being agreed on a basis which will ensure that they benefit to an equivalent degree. We are committed to being a more inclusive employer - to ensure we can consider any reasonable adjustments, please either contact the recruiting manager to discuss any individual circumstances, discuss at interview or, if you prefer, after any conditional offer is made.

If you need more information about this exciting project and position, please contact Jim Griffin, Team Leader at jgriffin@pkc.gov.uk.

When completing your application for this post, please ensure you provide current contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees, one should be your present or most recent employer. However, if you are an existing employee of Perth & Kinross Council, you are only required to provide reference details for your current employer.

At PKC our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Offer. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about PKC and you could soon be joining our team!

Please APPLY ONLINE. Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.

As part of our safer recruitment measures, any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of mandatory checks including eligibility to work in the UK, Disclosure Scotland or PVG, qualifications, references, and fitness to undertake the post. This may also include an Overseas Criminal Records Check if you have spent time living overseas.

Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender.

A healthy work life balance is important to Perth & Kinross Council and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

Perth & Kinross Council welcomes applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

What we can do for you

If you are successful in a role with Perth & Kinross Council, you will have access to a range of benefits to help your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Find out more about working for Perth & Kinross Council and living in one of the most scenic areas of Scotland Jobs, careers and employment.