OR107583 - Project Manager

Aatom Recruitment is looking for a Project Manager on behalf of a Local Authority.

Contract Duration: 6 Months

Hours Per Week: 37

Work Pattern: Minimum 1 day in the office and the rest as required.

Principal purpose of the role:

• To lead and manage the successful delivery of business change projects by overseeing planning, execution, governance, stakeholder engagement and transition to business-as-usual, ensuring alignment to project scope, costs and timeline.

Main activities of the role:

• Lead the planning, execution and delivery of projects working within project scope, budget (i.e. resources, costs/savings targets) and timeline.
• Work closely to support the business lead and Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), providing professional advice tailored specifically for the circumstances of each project. Where necessary, deputise for the Business Planning and Change Manager in their absence.
• Prepare and present reports to stakeholders including senior leaders; facilitating workshops where required, to refine project requirements.
• Develop detailed project plans including key milestones, risk and issues registers, resource requirements and key dependencies.
• Develop effective solutions by working with the business to problem solve issues and develop solutions that arise.
• Manage and maintain project documentation/processes ensuring appropriate governance and audit trails are maintained.
• Monitor project performance using the preferred project planning and resource management system. Provide regular updates to key stakeholders, challenging progress and issues as appropriate.
• Engage with the business and key stakeholders to ensure communication of the proposed change is transparent and inclusive.
• Manage relationships with external partners and third-party suppliers working within public sector guidance to ensure compliance.
• Manage project budgets on behalf of the project owner/sponsor, monitoring expenditure, use of resources and savings targets for the duration of the project lifecycle, and advise responsible budget owners, as appropriate.
• Maintain effective links with the PMO and other change teams, championing continuous improvement and innovation in project delivery.
• Ensure successful project implementation through to closure, ensuring successful transition from project to business as usual, completing end of project activities including lessons learned and close-down reports.

Essential Criteria:

• Significant experience in project managing the full lifecycle of major organisational projects, with a track record of timely and successful implementation.
• Recognised professional qualification in project management such as Prince2 at practitioner level or equivalent (e.g. APM accredited).
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills (including business case, report writing and presentation skills) for effective communication to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Well-developed influencing and negotiation skills with proven interpersonal skills to deal with conflicting positions and a resistance to proposals/change.
• Proven organisational ability which demonstrates effective planning, management, prioritisation and sequencing of workload of self and others with minimal supervision.
• Experience of managing budgets across a spectrum of projects, including capital and revenue budgets.
• Basic keyboard skills and a proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications Word, Excel, Visio and Project.

Desirable Criteria:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the issues facing Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies at a local, regional and national level.
• Experience of delivering projects which have required contract negotiation/management plus the ongoing supplier management.
• Experience of managing change in both the public and private sectors.