SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
INTRODUCTION
The John Innes Centre is seeking to appoint a Senior Project Manager to play a key role in the phased delivery of the Next Generation Infrastructure project, which is part of a larger programme of change on the Norwich Research Park. The realisation of the Next Generation Infrastructure project will see the creation of the largest net zero carbon laboratory in the UK for the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), in conjunction with the UK Research and Innovation and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). New research and office buildings will sit alongside state-of-the-art horticulture facilities, technology platforms and glasshouses, accommodating two institutes, the JIC and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). Bringing these world-leading organisations together under one roof, accommodating increased staff numbers and their specialist research needs, to create a UK hub for plant and microbial science to address pressing global challenges. The Senior Project Manager will work as part of a team responsible for the delivery of construction project workstream and will lead various aspects of the design, construction and commissioning stages of the project.
INTRODUCTION JOHN INNES CENTRE
NEXT GENERATION INFRASTRUCTURE THE ROLE – JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION WHAT MAKES JIC A GREAT PLACE TO WORK? APPLICATION PROCESS
JOHN INNES CENTRE
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science, genetics and microbiology.
Their mission is to carry out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists for the future and to make our findings available to society.
The scientific research at the Centre makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences, including microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular biology and computational and mathematical biology.
By fostering a creative, inclusive and curiosity-driven approach to fundamental questions in bioscience the John Innes Centre’s research has led to major societal benefits over a 110 year history.
The John Innes Centre is co-located with The Sainsbury Laboratory on the Norwich Research Park, and together their vision Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet (HP 3 ) aims to secure a safer, healthier and more sustainable future through the power of plant and microbial science. Learn more here - https://www.jic.ac.uk
This proposed ‘once-in-a-generation’ investment will create a world-leading hub for the plant and microbial research and innovation. The John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory will re-develop their facilities into a hub for plant and microbial science, bringing together the most talented scientists and innovators in the world to the UK to solve pressing global challenges. It will supercharge our national ability to translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions, ensuring the UK is a global leader in the innovations necessary to feed the world sustainably and protect human health for the next century. NEXT GENERATION INFRASTRUCTURE
expertise with modern, integrated research infrastructure will not only enable the UK to keep pace with rapid developments in research and technology - it will also secure the UK's position as a global leader in bioscience. The new infrastructure will be designed using the latest low carbon technology, including near site energy generation to provide renewable energy to power their research into the future. The programme, with total investment envelope approaching £400m, will comprise a phased approach to delivering new buildings alongside refurbishing existing ones and is earmarked for completion by 2030.
Connecting a critical mass of research and technical
project Issues, Dependencies (RAID) logs, Dashboard reports and highlight reports are developed and maintained, including: plans, Risk, Assumptions, i) Identify and monitor project risks and issues and maintain overview of their potential impact on the wider programme; ii) Develop mitigating actions and escalate as appropriate. • Identify the need for and set appropriate project assurance within the framework outlined in the Integrated Assurance and Approvals Plan (IAAP) to support good governance and scrutiny through project Healthchecks and Gateway Reviews. • The ability to prepare, develop, commission and update business cases to justify the initiation and continuation of projects in terms of benefits, value for money and risk. • Management of project budgets; gaining sign off from stakeholders including Finance and Project/ Programme Boards as required. • Generation of accurate, relevant and timely reporting to enable progress to be tracked centrally. • Embedding monitoring, evaluation and benefits realisation within the project, and importantly stabilising the hand-over into business as usual (BAU) • Providing reports to the delivery’s associated Boards, their meetings as and when required to support effective governance and decision making. • Sharing best practice with, manage and mentor other members within the projects and programme professional community. • Provide constructive support to the wider PMO function associated with the delivery of the Programme. Across these broad elements there is a general requirement to carry out other duties, working independently and as a member of the wider team, on behalf of JIC consistent with the grading of the post, and as agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.
THE ROLE
Main Purpose of the Role The Programme Management Office (PMO) within JIC is established to deliver the JICTSL Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) programme of work involving various physical and soft projects, and business change/ improvement activities across the organisation. The impact will primarily be across JIC and TSL who are joint principal stakeholders responsible for delivering the shared benefits. The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for leading the implementation of a full lifecycle project or multi projects and business improvement activities, which may be part of a wider programme across the JIC businesses, its partner organisations, community and stakeholders. This appointment will also contribute towards the Programme Office vision of developing as a professionally organised and appropriately resourced department that directly supports and contributes to the delivery of the JIC- TSL NGI strategic aims and objectives. Key Relationships Post holder will work closely with stakeholders from across JIC / TSL and the wider park as well as the consultant design team and any contractors that are appointed to the programme of work.
Main Activities & Responsibilities As a senior member of the Programme Office pool of resources, provide support and contribute to the delivery of JIC-TSL NGI strategic aims and objectives by: • Day-to-day project management of a project or multiple projects throughout the full lifecycle from inception through to close; potentially working within a wider programme of work, including: i) Delivery Leadership - create project plans and lead projects to deliver agreed outcomes within time, cost and quality constraints; ii) Project Management - Set project controls, design the project structure appropriate to stage, select and apply appropriate delivery methodologies and report against control measures and milestones; iii) Change Management - Ensure effective change management processes are in place to agree and document changes to deliverables as agreed with stakeholders; iv) Business Cases - identify where new business cases are needed to support the overall development programme, coordinate development and sign-off of Business Cases; v) Resources - identify and schedule resources and manage resources to deliver projects;
• Supporting and deputising for other senior members in the construction projects workstream, such as the Project Director and the Programme/PMO Manager. • Management of stakeholders to define scope and objectives, addressing issues with senior stakeholders ensuring they are fully engaged and able to support delivery, including: i) Identify key stakeholders and develop effective relationships; ii) Management of stakeholder relationships, including regular, appropriate and timely communications throughout the project. • Coordination of multi-disciplined teams, both internal and third party, to achieve the project deliverables to schedule, to budget and to the required quality, including: i) Being a champion for continuous improvement, not only for the project or programme but also for JIC and the wider stakeholder organisations. ii) Line managing, mentoring and nurturing in-house support staff and providing ‘on- the-job’ training to more junior members as required to promote continuous improvement of the team. • Ensuring appropriate processes and project documentation are established, including
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Desirable: • Previous
• Ability to work independently and autonomously as necessary to meet the requirements of the role, whilst operating transparently as a member of a wider team • The ability to recognise, anticipate and effectively deal with existing or potential conflicts at an individual, team or strategic level Desirable: • Able to work in an environment of uncertainty and continual change. Feel comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture and re-focus as details emerge. Apply knowledge and techniques to reduce ambiguity • Able to plan, lead and effect positive cultural change, securing commitment and buy-in and promoting a positive long-term vision. Also, able to recognise when broader culture change is necessary to deliver a project Additional requirements • Promotes equality and values diversity • Attention to detail • Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required • Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate • Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the JIC/ TSL / NBI, ensuring it is a great place to work • Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute
experience
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working
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infrastructure projects on the NRP
Education and qualifications Essential:
• Where a CDE is absent, demonstrable knowledge and skills of establishing project communications and protocols to control information flow and ensure audit trails of decisions made and good project governance Desirable: • Understanding of the constraints and protocols of working on infrastructure projects in a specialist research environment • Knowledge of the various stakeholder groups at JIC, other institutes and NRP organisations • Understanding the relationship that needs to be established and nurtured within the PMO environment Relevant experience Essential: • Able to evidence a good understanding of Project methodologies and lifecycles • Experience working as a member of a large or high complexity project team, or as a specialist or workstream lead for small to medium, low complexity projects with multiple interfaces • Demonstrable broad senior project management experience gathered from a wide cross-section of industries enabling best practice to be brought to the role and ability to challenge the status quo • Able to evidence experience of successfully engaging with and influencing a range of internal and external stakeholders • Able to deputise for the Project Director at times of absence
Interpersonal and communication skills Essential: • Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills • Document production to a high standard, able to proofread and redact work as required to deliver effective and cogent outputs • Attention to detail, delivered consistently including managing data and maintaining audit trials • Ability to identify and summarise key points from complex discussions and meetings and documents • A willingness to challenge preconceptions and offer well-reasoned and considered judgements to all levels of stakeholders • The ability to understand and communicate detailed processes quickly • Excellent interpersonal and team working skills with friendly and approachable disposition • Highly developed analytical and problem- solving skills, including the ability to quickly understand new and complex issues and to apply solutions • The ability to create and present a compelling vision, set clear direction that motivates others to work towards a common goal. Whilst also being able to adapt to ambiguity and change as well as engaging and communicating with stakeholders • Self-organisation skills and a demonstrable ability to manage and prioritise a workload and multiple project or work streams
• Project Management Qualification such as Agile Foundation, PRINCE2 Foundation, APM Project Management, or transferable skillset • Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience in a professional environment Desirable: • Membership of a professional body e.g. APM • APM Registered Project Professional (RPP) / Charted Project Professional (ChPP) • PRINCE2 Practitioner, Agile Practitioner, or equivalent higher-level Project Management Qualification
Specialist Knowledge and Skills Essential:
• Knowledge of industry standard procurement approaches commonly used in public sector projects and ability to determine practical solutions whilst considering JIC procurement rules • Good working knowledge of MS Office packages (i.e. Word, Excel, Power Point etc.) • Knowledge of Microsoft Project, Visio and other project management related software and tools • Understanding and knowledge of the workings of a common data environment (CDE) on construction projects for information management and document control and ability to influence how the CDE can be used to protect the interests of the client
WHAT MAKES JIC A GREAT PLACE TO WORK?
Our scientific reputation is built on our commitment to training future scientists and developing staff to achieve their full potential. We provide a broad range of opportunities for personal and career development for all staff and students to enable ‘lifelong employability’. We aim to equip staff and students with transferable skills for their chosen career pathway. In our 2022 Review of Research Culture, the most common words used to describe the culture at JIC were: collaborative, inclusive, welcoming, collegiate, supportive, excellence, dedicated, international, family, challenging, and open to ideas. This was echoed in our 2022 Staff Survey, where 90% of respondents said they would recommend JIC as a great place to work. We are committed to an equal opportunities agenda that encourages flexible working, career development and work-life balance. The Institute prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We are proud to hold
a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science, and to be members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme.
Learning and Development: A wide range of specialist scientific training is available, alongside support for leadership and management, career development and coaching and mentoring. Voluntary Employee Benefits scheme: ‘NBI Lifestyle’ gives employees access to a great range of discounts on: travel bookings, high street vouchers, gift cards, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities and day to day spending. The scheme offers something for everyone and endless ways to save online and in store. Sport and recreation facilities: The John Innes Society provides employees and their families with access to a range of sports and recreation events and facilities, including a barbeque, swimming pool and sports hall. Programme: Employees and their families can also access wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme, part of NBI Employee Assistance
Lifestyle. In addition to articles, webinars and information on many work, home and health related matters, the scheme offer a 24/7 telephone counselling service. Family/Dependent Support Fund: The Family/Dependent Support Fund provides some financial support for staff who wish to attend conferences, networking events, workshops and professional development opportunities but who have childcare or dependent responsibilities which may make this difficult. Cycle to Work Scheme: Available via NBI Lifestyle, a Cycle to Work scheme allows employees to Chestnut Nursery School at the Norwich Research Park: On-site childcare for babies, toddlers and young children (0-5 years old) is available at the Chestnut Nursery School. The nursery also runs Holiday Clubs for children aged up to 11 years.
We offer a broad range of employee benefits and support:
Pension: We operate a Group Personal Pension (GPP) plan which is a defined contribution scheme. The employer’s contribution is 10% of your salary and employees contribute 5% of salary. Employees may, if they wish, pay higher contributions. Life Assurance: is provided and includes a Death in Service benefit which equates to three times basic annual salary. Please note that the life assurance is only available to members of the GPP. Any pre-existing health conditions may impact on any life cover payment made by the insurer. Holidays: 25 days on appointment, rising to 28 days. Plus 8 Public holidays and 2.5 Privilege days.
For a confidential discussion please contact our retained advisors Ben Duffill and Nick Coppard of The Management Recruitment Group. APPLICATION PROCESS
Ben Duffill T: 020 3962 9900 M: 07976 125 010 E: ben.duffill@mrgglobal.com
Nick Coppard T: 020 3962 9900 M: 07896 079 495 E: nicholas.coppard@mrgglobal.com
This post is offered on a 5-year fixed term contract basis.
The closing date for applications is 27th August 2023.
Interviews will take place on 13th and 14th September 2023.
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