Candidate Information Brochure
Project Manager
Introduction from the Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services
Contents
• Introduction from the Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services
• About Sussex
Dear Candidate,
roles that will give the post-holders great experience across a diverse range of projects. The role will give the University the capability to deliver best value for money and design quality, ranging from minor projects at circa £0.1m to schemes up to £5m and above. Successful candidates will have gained recent experience in a project management role with responsibility for managing refurbishment, redevelopment and new build projects. We are seeking a customer focused individual who has strong interpersonal skills and the stakeholder skills required to lead internal stakeholder groups as well as a number of external delivery partners.
• The Sussex campus
The University of Sussex is a remarkable institution. The distinctive ethos on which it was established more than 60 years ago is still very much at the heart of the University. Sussex is a leading research- intensive university, highly ranked in the UK and world league tables, and recognised internationally for its research, teaching and outreach. The first of the new wave of UK universities founded in the 1960s, receiving its Royal Charter in 1961, the University now has over 18,125 students and more than 2,000 staff members. The University has a beautiful and diverse estate located in Falmer, to the east of Brighton. It is situated in the South Downs National Park and has amongst its buildings a core heritage estate designed by Sir Basil Spence. Over the past two decades, Sussex has doubled in size in terms of activity, with the University trying to accommodate this growth within its existing constrained campus. Over the past two decades, Sussex has doubled in size in terms of activity, with the University trying to accommodate this growth within its existing constrained campus. The University has therefore developed a £300 million masterplan – a programme of investment to modernise and improve the campus so that we can provide the best facilities for our students, academic and professional staff, and the local community. Given the scale of the investment programme, we now require three Project Managers to provide sufficient resource the Capital Projects Team. Project Managers will have the opportunity to lead on the brief development, design, procurement and delivery of minor to mid-sized projects across the University Estate. These are compelling client-side project management
• The Role
• Person Specifications
• Working at the University of Sussex
• Brighton and the local area
• The appointment process and how to apply
Robert Hutton,
Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services
About the University of Sussex
About the University of Sussex
Since our foundation in 1961, Sussex has valued – and encourages – a pioneering spirit. We’ve pushed for change, and demanded more, creating a better future for individuals and communities all over the world.
Our lecturers deliver pro- grammes of study that inspire students to develop the skills that make their education count, and that give them the confidence to make their mark in their cho- sen field. Our staff conduct original re- search to explore the great questions of our age. Their find- ings impact policy and practice for businesses, NGOs and gov- ernments, ensuring that Sus- sex students are also at the forefront of knowledge in their subject. Creative thinking, pedagogic diversity, intellectual challenge and interdisciplinary have al- ways been fundamental to a Sussex education. The University’s goal is to de- liver teaching and learning pro- grammes that are informed by current research, are attrac- tive to students from all soci- oeconomic and cultural back- grounds, and which deliver skills for life. The University is committed to widening access for students from lower-income families, and awards a high number of scholarships and other types of
financial support.
and resources to create mutu- al benefit and to deliver impact that cannot be achieved by ei- ther partner alone. Professionalism, by upholding freedom of academic enquiry, undertaking activities in a re- sponsible manner using ro- bust, transparent processes and maintaining professional standards in the conduct of all academic and support activi- ties. Equality, diversity and inclu- sion, by making appointments and developing entry routes to the University based on edu- cational merit, and valuing the strengths derived from contri- butions to our mission by people from differ- ent backgrounds, traditions, cultures and perspectives. Service, in which members of the Sussex community seek to use their skills and talents to contribute to local, national and international communities and organisations. Our Sussex 2025 vision re- imagines the pioneering spirit of the original purpose of our University but does so for new times and a new generation. Discover our vision at
In pursuing our mission, we cel- ebrate the values of:
Excellence, through a commit- ment to delivering the highest standards of research, scholar- ship, teaching and learning, in order to provide a dynamic and stimulating environment for students and staff, and to max- imise their social and econom- ic contribution to societies. Interdisciplinary, through tack- ling multidimensional prob- lems, while maintaining a strong, broadly based set of disciplines across the arts and humanities, social sciences, sciences and med- icine engagement, by actively seeking an external and inter- national approach to all our ac- tivities. Challenge, in which all mem- bers of the Sussex community are prepared to explore crea- tively the status quo and alter- natives, within the context of excellence and professional- ism, and to seek to make posi- tive change in society. Partnership, by developing sus- tained relationships that bring together complementary skills
The Sussex campus
Sussex has one of the most beautiful campus locations in Britain.
The University has developed a programme of investment to modernise and improve our campus so that we can provide the best facilities for our students, researchers, and academic and professional staff, as well as the local community. At the heart of our programme of building and regeneration work is a sensitively thought-through plan to enhance the unique setting of our campus within the South Downs, whilst preserving the character of the distinct architecture.
Situated on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just 9 minutes from Brighton & Hove, the campus combines award-winning architecture with green open spaces. Designed by Sir Basil Spence, the buildings that make up the heart of the campus were given listed-building status in 1993. Falmer House is one of only two post-war educational buildings in the UK to be Grade I listed in recognition of its exceptional interest.
Strategic Plan 2030
• Collections
and physical infrastructure meet and exceed the Univer- sity’s pedagogical and research requirements.
We will celebrate the value of our unique and distinct collections by developing and investing in discovery and preservation services that will deliver items openly for use and reuse where ever possible.
• Open
We will create a sector-leading and sustainable open infrastructure for research and education that will sup- port our community in their cultural transition to Open Practice. • Equitable Our decision-making processes will be underpinned by our commitment to providing equitable access to our spaces and collections. We will ensure that our working processes are focussed on maximising inclusion and through the decolonisation of our collections and associ- ated practices, we will challenge our preconceived ideas and develop our understanding of structural inequality.
• Service model
We will co-create an entrepreneurial service delivery model with students for our new Library Pavilion. The aim of which will be to offer users greater control over their new learning spaces alongside creating employment op- portunities for our students to develop and work.
• Infrastructure
We will fully engage with our community, staff and stu- dents to ensure investments in our supporting technical
Founded in 1961, the University of Sussex Library is an important research library in the UK with exceptional services and internationally significant collections. Today the Library is far more than a building and a collection of printed materials. It plays a central role in the creation, publication, application and preservation of knowledge and research at our thriving University. As a crucial partner in the University’s learning and re- search agendas, the Library constantly seeks ways to be as closely connected as possible to the changing nature of the work of Schools to contribute fully to the enrich- ment of the lives of their students and the advancement of their research. The Library is now entering a period of transformation, seeking to address changes to the educational and re- search landscape and embrace the opportunities offered by the accelerating digital shift. We continue in our tran- sition to digital for our services and collections, ensuring our staff and users have the skills to work with the prolif- eration of tools and techniques which are revolutionising libraries as well as monitoring the shift to ensure that the creation of new digital collections are equitable, accessi- ble and environmentally sustainable.
The iconic main building remains a great resource and stunning representation of the library, though today, its digital presence and exceptional services are equally key to demonstrating its value for the University and its community. It is this digital shift and service-centred ap- proach which will underpin the delivery of every part of this new Strategic Plan and through its implementation the Library will continue to confidently fulfil its role for new times and new generations.
What we will do:
• Space and identity
We will embark on an ambitious Libraries Programme, co-designed with our users, to provide the services and a choice of spaces to inspire and showcase innovative learning and research practices. The Main Library will be refurbished in parallel with the design and construction of a Library Pavilion as part of the University’s West Slope development. The two buildings will complement each other to provide the services and spaces required for mid-21st century learning.
“The whole precinct should have the ‘sense of a university’ and should, if possible, grow out of the soil of Sussex to become a natural part of this beautiful site.”
SIR BASIL SPENCE Architect of the original Sussex campus buildings, 1961
How we will do it
We will seize opportunities offered by the digital shift to use new technology, continuously enhancing how we deliver our library services, spaces and collections. We will use technology to ensure our students and our staff are equipped to engage with new methods of learning and research. All of our student-centred work will feature the Student Voice; we will co-design our services with students and where possible, services for students delivered by students. We will be fully aligned with strategies and contribute to the delivery of business plans of the Academic Schools and Professional Services Divisions. We will be a leader in open scholarship in the University and our wider sector. We will provide the sustainable infrastructure for open research and education that enables us to curate, preserve and disseminate the University’s outputs. Our libraries will become laboratories of knowledge, working with staff and students to offer inspiring and innovative spaces for
them to learn and engage with each other in research. We will work with our wider academic library community (in particular RLUK) to collaborate on providing sustainable access to knowledge in the UK through initiatives around collective collections and joined up discovery systems. The Library will act as visible catalyst and space for civic engagement, providing accessible and inclusive spaces to engage with both the university and the wider community to connect with the research of the institution. We will enhance access to our unique and distinctive collections and lead our sector in areas such as discovery and data mining. We will open them out for use and reuse as far as possible to the wider community. We will embed environmental and operational sustainability in our physical and digital infrastructure. Understanding and reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring data-driven decision making for efficient operations and space management.
We will also use green roof technology to encourage biodiversity in our soft landscaping.
Water conservation and a waste management will also be thoughtfully engineered throughout.
Read more about how important sustainability is to the University.
The Role
Job Title:
Project Manager
• Coordinate project, service and business readiness activities • Work with the project team and project office support colleagues, to deliver the project objectives, coaching and guiding as needed, manage the team members in a matrix environment. This will include project induction, coaching, guidance and training to project team members to ensure the effective implementation of the project. • Work with stakeholders ensuring delivery to project specification • Stakeholder Engagement • Identify and manage project dependencies; work closely with business areas to identify priorities and jointly ensure that the most appropriate way is found for the priorities to be met. • Build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and networks, providing information and ensuring technical information is understood exercising judgement on timeliness, the most appropriate methodology and approach to be used, seeking feedback where necessary for inclusion in project development. • Ensure stakeholder training is considered as part of the project plan and undertake all necessary stakeholder training. • Procurement and contract management • Undertake project procurement activity • Manage supplier contracts connected to the project delivery. This Job Description sets out current duties of the post that may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or level of responsibility entailed and to carry out any other duties that are within the employee’s skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed. INDICATIVE PERFORMANCE CRITERIA • Leading a team of Consultants and Contractors to programme, budget and quality expectations. • Manage an annual budget of £1m +. • Responsible for the delivery of designated Capital Projects on Campus to programme, budget and quality expectations. • Responsibility for ensuring sustainability is designed and built in to Capital Projects.
Grade: G7 School/Division: Estates& Facilities Management Location: Bramber House Responsible to: Head of Capital Projects. Direct reports: Internal & external Project Resource Key contacts: External Consultants & Contractors PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES • Work with key stakeholders to develop an initial project plan, including scope, resource plans and costs of an implementation project based on the outcomes from an initial feasibility project. Get the project plan through initial approval. • Provide the day-to-day leadership and management of project, through all aspects of the project life cycle, co-ordinating project members, managing team members in a matrix environment and liaising closely with the project sponsor. • Work with key stakeholders across the institution, manage the key communications for the project, liaising with project team members and internal and external stakeholders. • Undertake product selection and procurement activities to ensure the achievement of project objectives, product fit and best value. • Coordinate project, service and business readiness activities via a transition plan.
The role of Project Manager Main Purpose of Job
The Project Manager will lead on brief development, design, procurement and project delivery on minor to mid-sized projects or provide lead support on large, significant projects across the University Estate. This is a unique client-side project management role that will give the post-holder great experience across a diverse range of projects. The role will give the University the capability to deliver best value for money and design quality, ranging from minor projects at circa £0.1m to schemes up to £5m and above. Successful candidates will have gained recent experience in a project management role with responsibility for managing refurbishment, redevelopment and new build projects. We are seeking a customer focused individual who has strong interpersonal skills and the stakeholder skills required to lead internal stakeholder groups as well as a number of external delivery partners. If you are a Project Manager or Assistant Project Manager from an architecture, surveying, construction or engineering background this is an excellent opportunity to develop your career leading a range of projects.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Deliver and lead the project lifecycle
• Within the scope of the project, manage all aspect of the project lifecycle including; scope, timelines, resources, budget, risks and issues, relationships, training and communication. • Develop and implement a rigorous planning and ensure it is delivered by appropriate parties, using guidance where available, adapting guidance where needed, undertaking research and analysis as necessary on each stage of the project cycle, making recommendations to stakeholders on proposals. Ensure appropriate risk assessments, method statements and project management documentation, etc., is completed and subjected to the appropriate project governance methodology. • Project Leadership and management • Ensure project managed in line with institutions project management methodology
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA • Project Management qualification at diploma level or equivalent experience • Membership of appropriate professional institute or equivalent experience. • Sound track record of initiating and managing small to medium capital construction projects with a value of £0.5m + within a complex organisation. • Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple project streams. Ability to prioritise, delegate and ensure tasks are completed. • Ability to build effective relationships with, and command the respect of, a wide range of stakeholders, including senior staff members, influencing as necessary and resolving conflict. • Demonstrably strong influencing, negotiating and communications skills with the ability to listen and respond to the needs of a wide range of stakeholders at all levels • Analytical skills with the ability to assess data, generate effective solutions and make effective decisions • Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as an ability to communicate technical and complex messages effectively with all levels of staff. • Demonstrable Project Management experience of small to medium scale Capital Construction projects with a value of £0.5m+. • Demonstrable Commercial experience of small to medium Capital Construction projects with a value of £0.5m+. ESSENTIAL ROLE-SPECIFIC CRITERIA • Ability and experience to manage professional consultant and contractor teams. • Ability and experience to project manage the delivery and commercial performance of small to medium construction projects. • Health & Safety, construction, logistics and technical experience of problem solving on construction projects. • Experience of Modern Methods of Construction. • A natural collaborator, working cross functionally and at all levels, internally and externally. • Excellent technical expertise and understanding of building systems, legislation and service requirements across a diverse portfolio. • Business administration including business planning, budget management, IT and business processes. • Strong customer focussed approach. • A positive and creative “can do” approach.
The post holder reports to the Head of Capital Projects, working under general direction within a clear framework, the post holder will manage their own work (and possibly their direct reports) to achieve their agreed objectives. The role holder will play a key role in supporting the Divisional leadership team to achieve the strategic and operational goals of the University, Professional Services & their Division. The post holder is expected to work collaboratively across the University and with key stakeholders to deliver single team working that efficiently and effectively supports the achievement of those goals and objectives. Support achievement of the Division’s/Unit’s/ School’s compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory compliance obligations, including (but not limited to): UKVI, Health & Safety, the Prevent Duty, data protection, Competition and Markets Authority requirements and equal opportunities, as appropriate to the grade and role. Additionally, to promote good practice in relation to University policy, procedure and guidance in relation to those compliance matters in respect of students, staff and other relevant parties. Balance effectiveness and cost-efficiency in the management of the budgets you are accountable for, demonstrating compliance with Value for Money and Return on Investment principles to support the University’s strategic aim to achieve a world-class standard of teaching and research by managing our resources effectively and efficiently
DESIRABLE CRITERIA • Prince 2 certification or equivalent experience. • HE Sector Capital Project experience.
Working at Sussex
Working at Sussex
SUSSEX CENTRE FOR LANGUAGE STUDIES
CHI LDCARE
There is a nursery on campus for children aged three months to five years, operated by The Cooperative Childcare. It is open daily from7.30am–6.30pm.
The Sussex Centre for Language Studies provides a range of courses throughout the calendar year in English Language and Modern Languages that are open to staff as well as students. You can also use the Language Learning Centre to study over 50 world languages.
There are a range of staff benefits at Sussex, including generous annual leave entitlement and pension schemes, access to world-class resources, discounted gym and sports memberships, interest-free season ticket loan and staff activities throughout the year.
L IBRARY
Library facilities are available to all members of staff. The Library is open around the clock during term time. The Library’s special collections, now housed at The Keep, include the papers of Rudyard Kipling, the New Statesman Archive, Virginia Woolf’s Monks House Papers, many of Lord Richard Attenborough’s scripts and papers, and the Mass Observation Archive.
CATERING AND CONFERENCES
Sussexfood offers extensive catering facilities in Bramber House as well as cafés across campus. There are also conference and hospitality services. You can also use the Students’ Union bars and shop.
SUSSEX LECTURES
RETAI L
All staff are welcome to attend professorial lectures by Sussex academics and other talks by visiting lecturers and speakers.
There is a supermarket and post office, the Students’ Union shop, a pharmacy and a bank on campus. In term time, there is also a weekly outdoor market.
ATTENBOROUGH CENTRE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS
SPORT
Sports facilities include sports halls, fitness rooms, a dance studio, squash courts and outdoor pitches. There is an extensive drop- in group exercise and courses programme including yoga, dance, Pilates, trapeze, circuit training and aerobics. Sussexsport holds an annual boundary walk and boundary run for staff and students around the Sussex campus. It also offers children’s birthday and sports parties from age two upwards and a full programme of sports camps and activities in the school holidays for children aged five–16 years.
The Attenborough Centre is a state-of-the-art performance and display space that reopened in 2016 after extensive refurbishment. The Attenborough Centre has a growing programme of performances and events and is a Brighton Festival venue.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
The University of Sussex has more than 18,500 students, of whom 4,500 are postgraduates.
Brighton and the local area
Brighton and the local area
THE UNIVERSITY’S LOCATION
BRIGHTON AND THE WIDER REGION
The University campus is located at Falmer, on the outskirts of Brighton & Hove, and is just 55 miles (90 km) from London. Frequent trains from central London take as little as 50 minutes to Brighton & Hove, with a quick nine-minute connection to Falmer to reach campus. London Gatwick airport is only 30 minutes from Brighton, and London Heathrow is just over an hour’s drive away.
The city of Brighton & Hove has much to offer students, and also offers a quality of life for young families that is hard to match. As well as a fabulous variety of shops, restaurants and pubs, the city also has a range of good schools and a very relaxed and tolerant atmosphere. Brighton has a truly diverse cultural scene with a wealth of theatres, cinemas and galleries. From pre-West End premieres at the Theatre Royal to the variety of experimental fringe productions staged throughout the year, and with the famous Brighton Festival every May, there is plenty on offer. The historic market town of Lewes is also close to campus, and many members of staff choose to live there because of its wide choice of housing and excellent schools.
The appointment process and how to apply
The University is being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy The Management Recruitment Group (MRG).
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
The University values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of society. It is committed to promoting equality and diversity, providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all. The University aims to ensure that job applicants and members of staff are treated solely on the basis of abilities and potential, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, trade union membership or non-membership, socioeconomic background or any other inappropriate distinction. In order to ensure the effectiveness of this policy, it is necessary to collect information from all applicants on factors which relate to equal opportunity in employment and applicants are therefore asked to submit a completed version of the enclosed form alongside their CV and letter of application. The information so provided will be handled in strictest confidence and will only be used for statistical monitoring purposes.
To arrange a confidential briefing conversation please contact our advisors
Jane Schofield jane.schofield@mrgpeople.co.uk
Nick Coppard nicholas.coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk
of MRG on 0203 962 9900.
Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV (of not more than four pages) and a covering letter (of not more than two pages). Applications should be sent to Nick Coppard.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment will be subject to: • Confirmation of the right to work within the UK • Higher level qualifications • Satisfactory health clearance and satisfactory references.
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