Senior Project Manager - The Learning Centre
Candidate Information Pack
Executive Summary
RBG Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, leading visitor attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and its world-class herbarium. Set in 120 hectares, Kew Gardens is a beautiful place to work and employs staff committed to achieving Kew’s mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. Kew has a second site at Wakehurst, West Sussex, and a field centre in Madagascar. In 2020 Kew published its ambitious new 10 year corporate strategy (Our Manifesto for Change) laying out its strategic priorities to 2030 to tackle the twin global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Estates Projects Team plays a key part in this ambition delivering a multimillion-pound programme of new build, conservation, refurbishment and decarbonisation projects, across a diverse, complex historic estate. Kew is now seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the delivery of a New Learning Centre at Kew, alongside supporting other projects in the Capital Programme. As a leading provider in public education, focusing on plant and fungal science, conservation, and horticulture, Kew engages with over 1,350 schools onsite each year, as well as providing learning opportunities for a range of other audiences, including families, early years, youth, communities and access audiences. However, the current learning facilities are sub-standard and a new dedicated learning centre is required to extend our educational reach and inspire the next generation of environmental scientist and botanists. To this end, Kew plans to build a dedicated, state of the art Learning Centre on the site. Plans have now been produced to RIBA stage 4 and statutory consents have been applied for. The budget for the Learning Centre is £8m (construction cost) and will deliver a bespoke, safe and accessible space, designed to inspire learning at all ages. The building has been designed to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and Passivhaus accreditation.
Aiming for Passivhaus Plus The proposed learning centre aims to be built to zero carbon standards, both in material construction and ‘in-use’ performance. A central element of the client brief was for the building to be certified Passivhaus and early modelling of the design has confirmed that this will be achieved, even potentially achieving the Passivhaus Plus level. Heating and energy systems currently being considered include air source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic cells. The Centre aims to generate sufficient renewable energy using solar photovoltaic panels to offset the embodied carbon of the building materials. A building carbon assessment is underway and will inform the number of renewables required for the site to pay back the embodied carbon of the structure.
RBG Kew commissioned a masterplan exercise in 2017 to highlight development opportunities and a site hierarchy for future building developments. The new Learning Centre formed a part of that masterplan and highlighted the need for 7 formal teaching spaces for students of all ages, office space for the Kew Learning team, gallery space for exhibits and learning materials and space for learning in external and sheltered external areas. Space to learn The new Learning Centre will replace a redundant building, which is not suitable for refurbishment or adaptive reuse. The Centre aims to be an inspirational space for users of all ages, appeal to a broader range of audience, and be more flexible than the current space. The space comprises
• Learning spaces (x 6) • Toilets (public & staff) • Open plan office • Individual office • Meeting rooms (x 2) • Welfare & kitchen
Job Description
and teams will often bring varied exemplary skills and talents to the organisation but may have limited experience in design and construction, therefore the post holder will be expected to provide professional guidance and expertise to brings these groups together and reach successful project outcomes. Finally, the Senior Project Manager will work col - laboratively across all departments at Kew, they will be expected to act as an ambassador for the Estates Department and the work of the Projects Team. They will therefore be required to act with integrity, share best practice and innovative ideas, and seek to build helpful relationships across the organisation. Job Context: The post holder will: • As a senior members of the Kew Projects Team, the Senior Capital Project Manager has responsi- bility for delivering large and complex capital pro - jects at Kew. These projects are high profile and play a key role in supporting strategic priorities of the organisation and Kew’s Manifesto for Change. As such, the post holder will be highly visible and will work with stakeholders across all departments to ensure projects meet their aims and deliver value for money. • The Senior Project Manager also supports the De- fra Capital Infrastructure programme and other programmes when required to reduce reliance on Interim Resource and help to build Estates and organisational resilience through retained PM knowledge and expertise. Accountabilities: Responsible for leading the development and delivery of capital projects (including learning Centre 10m) are Kew and Wake- hurst project through expert project management, ensuring the projects is delivered on programme and on budget and to the clients required standards. • Ensure the project meets the needs of the client (and business) by establishing and maintaining robust and good relations with all stakeholders.
Consulting senior managers, scientific stakehold - ers, building users, operational estates teams and all other relevant parties through every stage of the project lifecycle (concept, feasibility, design and procurement, completion, and handover). • Manage and report on approved project budgets in an accurate, clear and responsible way, high - lighting exceptions and risks early. • Manage and report on project risk throughout each stage of the project life cycle. • Responsible for ensuring Health, Safety and Envi - ronment is an integral part of all project activities and work programmes from planning through to implementation and all staff, consultants, advisors and contractors operate in a safe, efficient way and to Kew’s standards, expectations and policies, at all times. • Champion the project within and outside the organisation assisting the Development team with funding applications, events or other activities as necessary. Use the project as a platform to com- municate the ambitions for the estate and the wider aims of RBG Kew. • Manage and maintain project records throughout the design, construction and handover phases en - suring all project information is properly commu- nicated and handed over to the client and relevant building stakeholders. • Provide Project Management support to develop and deliver projects for other Departments at Kew and Wakehurst (Horticulture, Events, Catering, Science, etc). • Lead and inspire internal and external project teams to work collaboratively to deliver Kew pro- jects. • Procure and manage services of consultants, con - tractors and suppliers, use their knowledge of the design process, construction and contracts. Advis - ing the client on value for money, quality and the best routes to market. • Explore and implement opportunities to engage the public in the project. • Champion good design and sustainable outcomes,
ensuring the proposed projects are exemplars of new innovative design in a sensitive/protected environment. • Ensure projects meet current best practices in pro- ject management. • Liaise with other RBG Kew project managers to share best practice and common approaches. • Undertake any other duty reasonably required to deliver the Estates project programme. Assist the head of projects in managing the development and delivery of Kew’s Capital Programme • Assists the Head of Estates Project Services in the day-to-day delivery of the project programme by supporting, coaching and advising the Estates Pro - ject Managers in the delivery of their projects. • Assists the Head of Estates Project Services to de- velop a strategy for the developing RBG property, both at Kew and Wakehurst, in response to RBG Kew’s Corporate Plan and changing building needs. • Assists the Head of Estates Project Services to prioritise, develop, manage, and deliver major and minor programmes works in collaboration with the Head of Estates of Operational Estates, Head of Sustainability, and other departmental stake - holders. Management of Resources: Financial Responsibilities: All staff are responsible for management of their own time and resources. • Major Capital Projects £8m+ (construction cost) Management of People: • Management of Kew Staff in the development of projects and programmes. • Management of external consultants and technical advisors in the development of projects and programmes. • Management of contractors in the delivery of capital work programmes.
Job Title:
Senior Project Manager (capital programme)
Band: F7 Directorate: Resources Section/Dept: Estates No. of Indirect Reports:
Indirect management of
internal project team and external consultants Reports to (Position):
Head of Estates Project
The Role: The Senior Project Manager will play a lead role in the planning, development and delivery of capital projects at Kew, including the new Learning Centre. The post holder will be a highly skilled, client-focused project manager with significant experience of deliv - ering complex construction projects (including signif - icant M&E packages) on protected and constrained sites. Acting as client representative, the role requires expert communication skills and an ability to manage a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders. The post holder will use their professional skills and experience to ensure the project is delivered on time, on budget and to the agreed standards. They will lead and inspire the internal and external teams to work together to deliver projects that meet the needs of the client and showcase Kew’s ambitions The Senior Project Manager will have a firm under - standing of the funding and commercial drivers for projects and will have excellent financial management and reporting skills to control cost and risk throughout each stage of the project. The post holder will be comfortable delivering pro- jects using a structured management system and will have excellent written and verbal reporting skills. They will be used to reporting to a project board attended by senior executives and will be competent at manag - ing in-house project teams with members from across the organisation. Staff members on both the board
Position within the team
Benefits Joining the team at RBG Kew comes with a range of benefits and development opportunities, some of which are detailed below: • 30 days annual leave per annum, excluding bank holidays. This will also rise after 5 years of service. • Group Personal Pension Scheme through Royal London, with an employer contribution of 8% of salary. This is a non-contributory unless you decide to make a voluntary contribution as a % of salary. If a voluntary contribution is made, RBG Kew will match up to a further 2%, making the total possible employer contribution 10%. • You can take the opportunity to develop your skills and career, including access to Civil Service Learning programmes • You can enjoy flexible and family-friendly working arrangements that allow you to balance your work and home life • Generous and comprehensive family-friendly policies: maternity, paternity and adoption leave, career break. • Free admission to the Gardens at Kew and Wakehurst for two accompanying adults and two children. • The opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports Club (CSSC), a not-for-profit organisation aimed at public sector workers positively promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace. CSSC aims to help you to have fun, get active, try out new hobbies or activities and experience the great diversity of the Civil Service. • Vodafone Employee scheme: discount on any Vodafone tariff for the employee and up to 5 of their family and friends. • Eye Care Scheme
Person Specification
Education and Experience Essential
clear communications to produce innovative solutions • Demonstrating leadership and management skills to motivate, coach and mentor teams. • Demonstrating ethical behaviour at all times and promoting it in others within the department. • Understanding how to plan financially and manage a budget. • Researching, writing and presenting robust and comprehensive business cases. • Ability to produce project plans using Microsoft Project. • Representing the Estates Department at a senior level in relation to the capital programme and Site Master Plans • Keeping abreast of latest changes and development in areas relevant to post (e.g. CDM legislation, project management, energy management, H&S, etc.) Kew Competency Framework • Leading and Influencing • Collaboration
knowledge and experience of Health, Safety & Environmental management. Especially relevant to major refurbishment works and new build projects on occupied, operational sites with direct contact with the general public. • Proven experience and knowledge of managing and successfully delivering significant/complex projects using a structured project management and reporting system. • Good knowledge of construction related Health & Safety and Environmental legislation e.g. Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Environment Act 1990 and CDM Regulation 2007. Must have a working knowledge of the CDM regulations with proven understanding of duty holder’s roles and responsibilities. • Experience and knowledge of building contracts and their administration. Must also be able to demonstrate experience resolving significant contractual/cost disputes. • Proven experience and knowledge of procurement and engagement of construction design professionals, in support of major capital projects and work programmes. • Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstratable experience of reporting and presenting to senior management. • Experience of successfully managing and supporting project team members either directly as a line manager or indirectly as the a project lead. Job Specific Competencies – Skills and abilities specific to the job Essential • Successfully managing and delivering all projects using the principles of Best Practice project management methodology. • Negotiating using logic and reason to persuade and influence others to find the solutions that everyone will accept. • Building and maintaining strong working relationships both internally and externally in a collaborative style. • Influencing key stakeholders at all levels. • Working co-operatively with customers/ stakeholders, maintaining regular, consistent and
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant building/ construction discipline (Architecture, building Surveying, project management). • Member of a recognised building/construction related professional body: CIOB, RIBA, RICS or CIBSE. • Significant and proven experience of leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex and diverse projects (including significant M&E and the use of sustainable/ green technologies), acting in the role of Client representative. • Track record of consistent delivery against time, cost, and quality targets. The basis of this experience should have been obtained from delivering projects of at least £5+m. • Proven experience of managing and delivering projects which have achieved BREEAM and Passivhaus certification. • Proven experience of delivering projects on sites containing significant heritage assets or environmental restrictions (SSSI, AONB, SAC, etc) from concept through to completion. • Proven experience managing projects with statutory consent requirements/needs/issues (planning, listed building consent, building control, etc). Must have thorough understanding of the process and requirement of planning process. • Extensive and sound knowledge of construction techniques, construction technology and building pathology gained through study and worked experience. To include green infrastructure and sustainable approaches to design. • Experience of managing and reporting project budgets throughout the project lifecycle. This must include monthly forecasting, developing project cost plans, appraising third party cost information, assessing valuations, and providing initial cost estimates (order of cost) for prospective projects. • Experience of assisting in the development of multi-year project programmes that take into account, condition, business need, client operations, budget, sustainability goals and site context. • Extensive, successful, construction based working
• Making Effective Decisions • Delivering Value for money
Our mission & strategy Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of all life on Earth. Our aspiration is to end the extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. To deliver our mission we have five priorities. Kew commits to: • Deliver science-based knowledge and solutions to protect biodiversity and use natural resources sustainably • Inspire people to protect the natural world • Train the next generation of experts • Extend our reach • Influence national and international opinion and policy Our five strategic priorities are underpinned by a sixth internal priority – to ensure we have the people, financial health and infrastructure to succeed.
Our Values
We CARE about the future of the planet and its biodiversity Care We cherish the DIVERSITY of our plant collections and we seek diversity in our workforce and audiences Diversity We work in COLLABORATION and build trusting relationships with each other and our partners Collaboration
We have CONFIDENCE and believe we can succeed Confidence We strive for EXCELLENCE and try to improve continuously Excellence We have AMBITION. We will be bold with a strong desire to innovate and inspire Ambition
How to Apply
For a confidential discussion to learn more about the role and opportunity please contact Kew’s appointed recruitment partner Nick Coppard or Ben Duffill of The Management Recruitment Group. Nick Coppard E: nicholas.coppard@mrgglobal.com Ben Duffill E: ben.duffill@mrgglobal.com Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV and supporting cover letter outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post. The closing date for applications is Sunday 4th February 2024. Following the closing date, applications will be reviewed and The Management Recruitment Group will undertake preliminary meetings with selected applicants. Interviews will take place in mid to late February 2024. Applications should be sent to nick.coppard@mrgglobal.com.
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