Natural History Museum - Head of Project Delivery

HEAD OF PROJECT DELIVERY CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK

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ABOUT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

We are a world-class visitor attraction and lead- ing science research centre. We use the Museum’s unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world to- day. We care for more than 80 million objects span- ning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website. Today the Museum is more relevant and influen- tial than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advo- cates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world. This is an exciting time to join the Museum as we have secured investment from the UK Government to build a new science and digitisation centre at Thames Valley Science Park, University of Read- ing. The purpose-built centre will house much of the Museum’s collection and will include laborato- ries, digitisation suites, collaborative research spac- es, conservation labs and workspaces

Diversity and inclusion matter to us.

Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are commit- ted to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

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VISION & STRATEGY We are creating advocates for the planet. We face a planetary emergency. Our future depends on the natural world, but we are not combating our own destructive impact on the planet. Earth is now changing fast under the influence of human behaviour. Climate change and biodiversity loss are just some of the manifestations. By threatening natural systems, we threaten our own future. We must act now, we must act on scien- tific evidence and we must act together. Our vision is of a future where both people and plan- et thrive.

Our hope

Understanding life on Earth is the greatest scientif- ic challenge of our age. We cannot hope to develop solutions without research that unlocks the underly- ing biology and applied science. Alongside the science, all of us need hope: hope that there is a future where both people and the planet thrive. Building and spreading this hope through evi- dence and action will be the foundation of our strat- egy in the coming decade. In today’s challenging times, we will create advo- cates for the planet: individuals who feel sufficiently informed, confident and motivated to make wise de - cisions, to get involved, and to use their influence and actions to make a positive difference to the global future. To achieve this, we will harness our collection, our research and our reach.

Our success

Given the urgency of the issues facing the planet, we are aware that we have a global responsibility. We need to shape the future by learning from the past and seeking solutions which will bring a prosperous future. Success lies in solutions and action. Once peo- ple can begin to feel optimistic about the op- portunities to create a sustainable future, we will have achieved success. We can’t change the world alone, so we will work in partnership with others towards a common goal.

Our mission is to create advocates for the planet.

Our Strategy to 2031 sets out the part the Museum will play as a global, scientific and cultural leader.

Our priorities

Five strategic priorities will be at the core of the Museum's activities until 2031: • securing the future of the collection • transforming the study of natural history • developing the gardens and galleries • creating a resilient and sustainable organisation • engaging and involving the widest possible audience

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MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

lawful, safe, secure and sustainable in line with the Museum’s values. • Lead the team responsible for the pro- ject management, resourcing, planning, oversight, scrutiny and governance of the Museum’s capital infrastructure pro- gramme. • Lead the team responsible for the project management of the public programme which includes temporary exhibitions, gallery enhancements and public space programmes. • Lead the process of development of the capital investment programme including developing business cases for the Mu- seum’s Executive Board and Trustees, DCMS, HM Treasury and other funders.

• Manage a large team of profession- al project managers to deliver projects across the Museum portfolio. • Work with senior managers across the museum to identify resource require- ments and develop the annual operating plan. • Work with senior managers within Es- tates, Projects and Masterplanning to ensure that a joined-up service is pro- vided from project identification and in - ception through handover and into oper- ations. • Work with senior managers within the Finance and Corporate Services Directo- rate to ensure that the work of the team is financially sound, properly procured,

JOB SUMMARY

• Establish robust financial processes for setting realistic project budgets, cost plans, cash flows and forecasting across the project portfolio. • Establish systems to manage and report across project, programme and portfolio indicators to ensure successful delivery. • Develop delivery models that provide flexibility and expertise including the use of consultant project managers, survey- ors, designers and cost managers.

Projects and Masterplanning De- partment and will work closely alongside other section heads as well as the team delivering NHM Unlocked. You’ll be supported by the Director of Estates, Projects and Masterplanning and work closely with other Executive Board members and Trustees who rec- ognise that good project manage- ment is essential in delivering the Museum’s priorities. The post-holder will provide leadership to the Project Deliv- ery Team, set the strategic direc- tion for project management and maintain a culture of exceptional delivery. Given the challenges of working within an estate that has developed over nearly 150 years, the post-holder will have demon- strable skills in one or other con- struction discipline.

It could not be a more exciting time to join the Museum. As well as the development of our new Science and Digitisation Centre, the Urban Nature Project is underway and we have big plans to develop our galleries and other public spaces. All of this is on top of a working on our iconic buildings, delivering a rolling public programme of tem- porary exhibitions and a capital infrastructure programme running to £50 million over the next three years. You will lead the Project Delivery Office, managing some 40 project professionals to oversee the pro- grammes of work to ensure that the museum’s vision and strategy are delivered. A separate team de- livers ICT based projects. The post sits within the Estates,

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Knowledge

Essential • Expert knowledge and practical experience of delivering design, development and delivery of projects. This includes a commitment to safe and environmentally sustainable ways of working. • Advanced knowledge and demonstrable expe- rience of overseeing the delivery of multiple pro- jects at any one time. • Ability to deliver effective procurement solutions in a challenging economic environment within the boundaries of public procurement policy. Experi- ence in a central government department or arms- length body would be desirable. • Experience of working in an heritage estate or with listed buildings. Desirable • Experience of work in academic, scientific research or museums sector. • Experience in a central government department or arms-length body.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience • Experience of running a major portfolio of diverse construction and non-construc- tion projects in a complex customer fac- ing organisation. • Significant experience of managing peo - ple, budget (over £50m) and risks at a senior level. • Proven ability to plan strategically and advanced knowledge and demonstrable experience of overseeing the delivery of multiple projects at any one time. • Demonstrated experience in running multi-disciplinary teams and making the most of data and technology to driving ef- ficiencies and performance improvement.

Education

• Member of a related Property based Professional Body (such as Char- tered Surveyor, Chartered Building Surveyor or Chartered Architect or Chartered Structural, Civil or Me- chanical Engineer, or BIFM) • Recognised project management and/or programme management qualification (e.g. APM, MSP, PRINCE2) or experience commensu- rate with this

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OUR OFFER

Pay We operate a pay and grading structure that benchmarks us against similar institutions in our sector. Our salaries are competitive, while re- maining appropriate for a publicly funded body. Salaries are reviewed annually and we prioritise professional progression among our staff, under- pinned by a comprehensive learning and devel- opment programme. Holiday Our staff enjoy 27.5 days of annual leave plus bank holidays. Season ticket loan & cycle to work scheme You can apply for an interest-free season ticket loan to cover the cost of a travel season ticket, or you can apply to the cycle to work scheme. Pension We offer a defined contribution pension scheme. The Museum contributes 4-10% of your salary.

Life insurance We offer a death in service benefit. As a member of one of our pension schemes, you will receive cover at four times your basic salary. Income Protection Scheme As a member of one of our pension schemes, you may be entitled to financial support in the event of illness or injury that leaves you unable to work. Reaching your potential Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential. We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. We also can support professional de- velopment, financially and with paid study leave. Wellbeing Ours is a supportive, nurturing and caring cul- ture, and we offer a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to ensure that our staff

have access to professional care. We also offer an occupational health service and a free health MOT that includes blood pressure and cholester- ol checks. We encourage all our staff to join Civil Service Sports and Social Club (CSSC) which gives you the chance to take part in a sports club to en- courage good mental and physical health. With many clubs and classes on offer ranging from sports like football, softball, ping pong and tennis to classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and tai chi, there is something for everyone. Some activ- ities are free, while others have a small joining fee. It’s a wonderful way to meet your Museum colleagues while enjoying your favourite sports and pastimes. Membership also includes an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selec- tion of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, re- tailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry

to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures. Exhibitions and discounts Staff can visit our exhibitions for free, as many times as they like. We also offer 10 complimenta- ry tickets to our paid exhibitions for your friends and family to enjoy. Staff are invited to our popular Friends and Fam- ily evenings, the staff summer party, lectures, seminars and science events. Through a reciprocal entry scheme, staff can visit exhibitions for free at many other arts institu- tions and museums across London, the UK and New York City. We want to maximise your op- portunities for enriching experiences while work- ing at the Museum.

Staff also enjoy discounts in our shops and cafes.

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We are ambitious.

We are curious.

We share the wonder.

To make a difference on a global scale we are big and bold in our thinking and set goals which may seem im- possibly high. We act with integrity, but we are not rigid or inflexible. We are excellent at what we do and look for opportunities to make a difference for the Museum wherever we can.

We never stop learning. We look outwards beyond the Museum and ask questions to advance our under- standing. We seek out and actively listen to different perspectives. We take time to reflect, are thoughtful and open to new ideas.

We are captivated by the natural world, proud of our treasures and trusted guardians of our collections. We are passionate about the Muse- um, enjoy telling its stories and shar- ing our knowledge and expertise to inspire others. We don’t take this for granted; we feel proud to work here.

THRIVING AT THE MUSEUM: THE WAY WE WORK We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

We are pioneering.

We team up.

We act with pace.

We are not afraid to try something new and use good judgment and ev- idence to take risks. We experiment, innovate, and embrace complex problems by adapting our approach. We do not dwell on setbacks or get preoccupied with problems. We find solutions.

We respect the expertise of others and recognise that we produce the strongest outcomes when we put the best ideas together. We trust each other, keep things simple and make it easy for others to do the right thing. We share information and skills so everyone is equipped and enabled to succeed. We never let bad moments grow into bad relationships. We in- spire and empower each other to give our best.

We focus our efforts where we know we can make the biggest impact. We take tough decisions and once a plan is set, we all get behind it to make it happen. We take responsibility and don’t wait to be told what to do. We are racing against time in this plane- tary emergency, so we work with a sense of urgency.

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HOW TO APPLY

For a confidential conversation, please contact our advisors

Nick Coppard nicholas.coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk or Ben Duffill ben.duffill@mrgpeople.co.uk of The Management Recruitment Group.

Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV and a covering letter and applications should be sent to nicholas. coppard@mrgpeople.co.uk

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