SENIOR PROJECT LEAD
LIMITLESS AMBITION | LIMITLESS POTENTIAL | LIMITLESS IMPACT
WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF READING
Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in the Senior Project Lead post at the University of Reading.
This is the perfect time to join us as we are embarking on an ambitious estate strategy that builds on the great improvements delivered to our estate over the last 10 years and heralds the start of a new era of change for the University and its estate. It reinforces the importance of providing good quality, flexible accommodation of the right scale and with the right facilities, to accommodate our research and teaching programmes. The ability to provide an enhanced and positive student experience from our research, teaching and recreational facilities is central to the success of the University. We recognise the ever increasing importance of the University estate to attracting and retaining the best student, research, teaching and staff, who in turn are credited with giving the University its world class status and reputation for research and teaching excellence. It is only right that we seek to provide them with accommodation & facilities that help them maintain and build on that reputation. The principal aim of this strategy is to provide the framework and direction for how the estate needs to change and support the University in delivering its strategic objectives. Central to this framework is the development of communities and environments where our students and staff will wish to live and work in the future across our exceptional campus setting. We also recognise that we are part of a wider society and need to integrate with other partner organisations and communities and will, for example, make the most of shared facilities as appropriate. At the same time, sustainability continues to be at the heart of the estate planning and management processes: as we strive to build on our excellent reputation for environmental performance. As a member of the senior delivery team within the Estates & Facilities department you will play a significant role in our future success.
FOREWORD FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
The University of Reading is an institution with limitless potential. That was what attracted me to the post of Vice-Chancellor, and it is a fact that has been reinforced with each passing day. This is a place of global standing, of academic excellence and rigour, of exceptional resources and of real ambition for our students. These attributes provide the foundation for continuing success. However, more is required to thrive in today’s – and tomorrow’s – higher education world. This is the era of globalisation. Universities in the UK are competing against institutions around the world for students, for academics and for research investment. Educational aspirations are changing too. Learning is no longer about a single place and time, but a lifelong experience. Students, of all ages, are increasingly concerned about their employment prospects. Our strategy sets out how the University of Reading will respond to these opportunities. It is based on a rigorous appraisal of our strengths as an institution, as well as a wide-ranging analysis of the higher education landscape. In developing it, we have asked ourselves what kind of a university we are, as well as the one we want to become. We have also asked what kind of a university others – employers, governments, future generations of students – need us to be. The direction of our strategy can be seen on the pages that follow. It sets out an exciting path for the University of Reading. It is a path of real ambition, that will ensure our reputation for academic excellence is matched by a reputation for limitless innovation, relevance and impact. I urge you to join us on our journey.
OUR VISION
Our 10 year vision is that the University of Reading will be a vibrant, thriving, sustainable, global and broad-based institution, responsive to, stimulated by and informing changes in the world around us. As a result, we will also be significantly larger in terms of students, global reach and presence, and revenue. Our ambition, now and the next 10 years, is to enhance our standing as a leader in research and higher education that defines and responds to the needs of individuals and societies, and, by so doing, to be counted among the very best universities in the UK and internationally. We will articulate that ambition through the limitless concept. This reflects our mind-set: optimistic, forward-looking and open to new possibilities. For prospective students and staff, it will capture an aspirational outlook and a commitment to ground-breaking teaching and research. Details of the wider University strategy can be viewed HERE
THE ESTATE
The University of Reading has a complex estate that accommodates many different and interdependent teaching, research and operational activities across 3 locations in the UK and in Malaysia. This extensive estate has an increasingly important role in attracting the best teaching, research and student talent, and supporting the University’s position in a competitive Higher Education sector. The University of Reading owns, occupies and manages a large, complex and dynamic estate comprising 469 assets totalling 392,570 m2 GIA (284,105 m2 NIA). The University estate consists of three main property portfolios, defined by use: • The Academic Estate that provides teaching & research facilities, and business accommodation. • The Investment Estate which includes a variety of properties primarily held to generate third party income and in some cases, support the academic and non−academic requirements. • The Residential Estate, which provides student accommodation. Academic Estate The Academic Estate is primarily located in the UK and on a purpose built campus in Malaysia, with some properties located overseas to support Henley Business School. The majority of the premises within the Academic Estate are located across four locations: • Whiteknights, Reading; • London Road, Reading; • Greenlands, Henley on Thames; and • Educity, Johor Bahru, Malaysia Investment Estate The Investment Estate consists of properties that are primarily located in the vicinity of the University in Reading and includes land, residential, commercial and industrial premises. The University’s investment portfolio and sub−let spaces across the Academic Estate, generates a rent roll of approximately £4.47 million per annum and is split into non−residential and residential asset categories. The primary function is to generate income and capital receipts but this estate does also require capital investment to sustain the revenue streams and support wider operational objectives. Residential Estate The University’s residential estate has been disposed of on a long lease to UPP, who now manage and provide residential accommodation to students on behalf of the University. The University continues to provide some services across this residential estate, such as catering, grounds maintenance, security, bars and student IT, and needs to consider these facilities and services on an on−going basis as part of the estate strategy. The relative scale of the three estates is summarised below.
THE ESTATE
The Estate Strategy The University of Reading aspires to have an efficient, fit−for−purpose, and sustainable estate, which supports teaching and research delivery, facilitates future growth and is flexible to changing requirements. The University of Reading’s ranking within the top 1% of the world’s universities is accompanied by accolades for its impressive properties and facilities; its exceptional campus environment is a unique selling point. The principal aim of the property estate is to enable the University to successfully deliver its strategy and objectives to sustain and enhance its position in the global higher education and research sector. The University’s key strategic objectives that the Estates Strategy needs to support include: • Provision of world−class higher education and research across a broad range of subjects that can be provided through different delivery models in addition to the ‘normal’ campus−based approach such as: satellite campuses, online/open access programmes of study, specific research commissions, and consulting; • Building partnerships with other universities, education bodies, research foundations, professional organisations and potential employers; • Attracting and retaining the best talent across the staff and students communities – both research and teaching, and professional services; • Responding to market demands by flexing to support the provision of new courses and programmes of study, to a widening range of potential students and customers; and • Supporting wider non−academic strategic objectives, such as fostering new enterprises and enabling the University to play a full part in the economy and civic society of Reading and the surrounding region. Great progress has been made over the last 10 years which has resulted in significant improvements to the quality of the estate, whilst meeting the changing requirements of the University. However, the current estate remains extensive, and still includes properties of sub−optimal standard, suitability or environmental performance for a world−class University. The University has a new vision of ambitious growth plans to secure its place within the global market. The estate needs to support the delivery of this vision and change accordingly. The Estate Strategy has been developed following extensive analysis of the existing estate and consultation with key stakeholders as part of an overall framework of initiatives aimed at maintaining and enhancing the University’s competitiveness within the Higher Education sector. We recognise the ever increasing importance of the University estate to attracting and retaining the best student, research, teaching and staff, who in turn are credited with giving the University its world class status and reputation for research and teaching excellence. It is only right that we seek to provide them with accommodation and facilities that help them maintain and build on that reputation. The analysis of the estate and the consultation exercise identified the following themes that aim to be addressed: • Scale • Functional Suitability • Space Type • Condition • Green Campus • Location • Carbon Management • Management & Service Delivery • Multi site portfolio • Sport & Leisure The Estate Strategy responds to these issues and has set performance targets against each theme. Projects and initiatives will be assessed for their ability to address these issues and contribute towards the strategic targets set. This Estate Strategy provides the framework for the development and delivery of projects through to 2026 and will be subject to annual updates and five yearly reviews. The full estates strategy can be viewed at http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/fmd/EF_Strat.pdf
SENIOR PROJECT LEAD
Purpose The role of Project Lead is a client side internal Project Manager to deliver a full range of capital and maintenance projects to specification, cost and time within a safety conscious and multi-stakeholder environment. Projects can include new build, refurbishment, maintenance and service infrastructure. Main Duties and Responsibilities • Comply with the conditions of employment, protocols and practices of the Projects department, and follow a professional code of conduct; • Undertake the duties and deliverables specified in the “Duties of the University Project Leader” framework agreement; • Undertake any other duties which may be reasonably be requested commensurate with the grade; • Prepare invitations to tender for consultants and contractors and assess tender returns and recommend appointments; • Seek approval of “in Principal limits “and subsequent budget uplifts throughout the project stages to reflect the Gateway approvals. Raise orders & progress interim payments for appointment of professional services, surveys, and contractor services as applicable and oversee final accounts; • Taking due account of the requirements of the CDM Regulations and in doing so, discharge the duty of Clients Representative directly or ensure others are appointed to do so; • Develop the project scope to meet the University’s and Sponsors’ requirements and establish the project budget and programme, managing and controlling them throughout the course of the project through RIBA stages 1 – 7; • Assembling, leading and directly managing the project team, comprised of our framework partners and others to deliver projects of varying size and complexity; • Delivering of the project and all associated documentation to the project sponsor / end user to meet safety, quality, schedule and cost objectives by implementing the project strategy, using the defined project management arrangements / partnering framework agreements within the University’s integrated management system; • Lead project teams to identify opportunities that will reduce the University’s energy consumption and help with its aim to reduce its carbon footprint in its drive to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2021 against our 2008/09 baseline; • Lead project teams in their duty to prevent environmental and ecological impacts on projects; • Undertaking end of stage and lessons learned workshops / post occupancy evaluations with the project team, stakeholders and users; • Comply with the University project delivery procedures as defined in the Estates and Facilities Projects Manual, contribute to its development through regular review ; • Manage project sponsor / end user and stakeholder expectations for project delivery and deal with project related queries from students, academic staff and other members of the University;
SENIOR PROJECT LEAD
• To work with stakeholders ensuring that the project deliverables are compliant with the appropriate EIR’s / AIR’s and that all consultants have obtained stakeholder’s approval to issue the final tender documentation in a timely manner. Ensure that any VE or alternative supply proposals are agreed with stakeholders and approved. • Conduct all procurement activities in a manner which complies with the University’s policies, financial regulations and audit procedures, and ensure best value-for-money, working with the Universities Procurement team; • Listen to and respond accordingly to customer feedback in a timely manner, issuing regular project updates keeping stakeholders informed; • Manage the handover of projects, including the delivery of as-built records upon completion of projects in accordance with the University of Reading AIR’s and Handover Procedures; • Review project performance ensuring deliverables and milestones are met, early identification of variances and provide corrective action via an effective agreed change control process, ensuring resources are appropriate and risk registers, Project Execution Plans are updated to track any changes ; • To prepare project reports and forecasting as required and present to University senior management; • Ensure the project team proactively identifies hazards and proactively eliminates or reduces risks as appropriate. Where this is not practical, provide options for consideration and implement management controls to drive timely decision making; Key Safety Responsibilities & Accountabilities • To ensure that line management responsibilities for Health, Safety and Environmental matters are established and understood at all levels of a project and ensure that procedures are established and maintained that support the University’s Health & Safety Policy; • To take an active role in monitoring the application of the CDM Management Arrangements and general University’s Health and Safety Policies throughout the design, procurement and construction process and reporting on the same; • To assist in ensuring a safe, efficient and effective environment to the University within the resources available and to the required programmes, to enable the University to carry out its functions; • To work with other members of Estates and Facilities and the Projects department to promote a positive health and safety culture, improve performance, meet targets and establish and maintain a lessons learned log for future project delivery; • To ensure all projects comply with, and are constructed to University policies & procedures, standards and specifications, ensuring that all appropriate approvals, including statutory standards and approvals are identified and obtained at appropriate timescales to meet the agreed delivery programme;
SENIOR PROJECT LEAD
Supervision received The Project Lead will report to the Projects Director and will be expected to work with minimum supervision. Supervision given There are no direct reportees but the Project Lead will manage, direct and guide framework Project Managers and other framework / specialist consultants and advisers. Contact Main Internal Contacts Internal contacts include VC, CFO, Pro VCs and other senior management, projects team, site-wide logistics interface, procurement, University and Non-University Stakeholders, Academics, students, and administrative departments. Main External Contacts External contacts include statutory authorities, governmental bodies, consultants and contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and purchasing consortia. Terms and conditions This role is full time, permanent. The nature of the Department’s operational activities to support the University business needs means that work times will vary in line with Senior Project Leader duties. Because of the operational requirements, work is office based. This document outlines the current duties required as an indicator of the level of responsibility that the post requires. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list and the line manager may vary duties from time to time which do not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed.
Date assessed: January 2018
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria Essential
Desirable
Skills Required
Proven Project Manager delivering a wide range of construction related projects from feasibility through to hand-over • High level of skill controlling key project elements – cost, programme and scope • Able to communicate clearly (written and Oral) with an unambiguous exchange of information to University Board level • Ability to interface successfully with senior management • Sound IT and business systems literacy skills • A positive and proactive approach to managing Health & Safety and for promoting its importance on all Projects • Ability to manage project risks and devise appropriate mitigations • Motivating a multidisciplinary team, and influencing the project team to achieve desired behaviour and action • Managing effectively multiple stakeholder communications and requirements
• Experience of Soft Landings • Experience of BIM
Attainment • Membership of a relevant professional body such as RICS, MCIOB, RIBA, M.I.Mech.E, MICE, MIStructE, MCIBSE or IET • Degree qualified or relevant experience Knowledge • Project Management of multi-disciplinary teams in a multi-stakeholder environment • Excellent technical background in a related discipline • Procurement processes • Cost control, scheduling, change control, reporting, value engineering, risk management
• Member of the Associations for Project Management (APM) • PRINCE2 –Practitioner level or similar project management qualification • Understanding of JCT contracts • Understanding of BIM and Soft Landings • Awareness of current statutory requirements • Relevant experience in a higher education environment • Use of an HE project delivery methodology with gateways • Knowledge/experience of partnering contracts
Relevant Experience
• Project management experience within a large facilities environment or construction related background • Managing a portfolio of projects at any one time • Experience of managing multi-million pound projects
• Design, Construction, Building or Engineering background
Disposition • Extremely organised and structured in approach to all work activities • Proactive and self-motivated and able and willing to take responsibility and to take the lead • Articulate, reliable and punctual • A strong commitment to a high standard of customer focused service and improvement of the student experience • A good team player who takes a positive role within the team • Flexible with drive and responds successfully to changing demands and conditions Other • Able to access construction sites including all aspects of construction and all University facilities
FURTHER INFORMATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be sent to; ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk
The post offers a salary level which will ensure that the University is able to attract industry leading professionals across a variety of sectors with a wide starting salary ranging from £50,618 to £56,950 per annum plus £8,000 Market Supplement. In addition to basic salary the University offers a generous benefits package including: • USS pension scheme with 18% contribution from the University • 31 days holiday (including closure days at Christmas and Easter) + bank holidays • Concessionary course fees • Interest free season ticket loans and a range of other optional salary exchange tax benefits Application Process Applications should consist of a CV and covering statement outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post.
For a confidential and informal discussion, please contact the University’s appointed recruitment partner Ben Duffill at The Management Recruitment Group. Ben Duffill T: 020 7959 2368 M: 07976125010 E: ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk The closing date for applications is 23rd February 2018. Following the closing date, applications will be reviewed and The Management Recruitment Group will undertake preliminary meetings with selected candidates during the weeks commencing 26th February 2018. 1st stage interviews and campus tours will take place at the University the week commencing 16th March 2018.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
Regal House 70 London Road Twickenham TW1 3QS Tel 020 8892 0115
68 King William Street London EC4N 7DZ Tel 020 7959 2368
111 Piccadilly Manchester M1 2HY Tel 0161 638 0936
LIMITLESS AMBITION | LIMITLESS POTENTIAL | LIMITLESS IMPACT
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