Senior Programme Manager (Lifecycle Works) in Pontypridd

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is one of the government’s largest public service departments with a sizeable annual budget, serving over 20 million citizens. The estate spans 1.4 million square metres across 800+ sites and supports around 78,000 colleagues. Our vision includes DWP colleagues, supply chain, partners and, most fundamentally, the customers the Department exists to serve. They are the reason for our existence.

We are responsible for the day-to-day operation of our vast Estate by managing a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as Security Guarding, Maintenance, Property and Leasehold Management, Construction, Cleaning and Facilities Management. DWP Estates is not just about maintaining buildings - it’s about transformation.

Our strategic goals include:

• Transitioning to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate to meet future needs
• Investing in infrastructure through planned replacement works
• Embedding sustainability in line with Government Greening Commitments (GGCs)
• Delivering cost-effective services while maintaining high standards
• Creating a professional, best-in-class working culture across the Government Property profession

Our Estates strategy ambitions have been refreshed to take us through to 2030:

• OPTIMISE: Continue to transition to a more affordable and adaptable DWP estate that creates productive environments
• INVEST: Investment in an improved environment that better meets the needs of customers and colleagues and minimises service disruption
• SUPPORT: the drive for sustainability throughout DWP
• DELIVER: Expertly deliver improving, cost-effective services for DWP
• THRIVE: Continue to develop a working culture for DWP Estates that is best in class across government

This Real Estate specialist role will work closely with project related supplier partners with a key responsibility in the oversight of how operational Project Management services (excluding major projects) are delivered across the portfolio, along with budget challenge and approval for projects. This role will manage and continue to improve a robust process to ensure long term strategic DWP sites are fit for purpose, allowing maximum occupation to support the Authorities business.

The scope of the investment activity includes ‘critical asset’ replacements and enhancements (such as boilers, heating/cooling systems, lifts, roofing etc.) across the DWP’s large, complex and varied portfolio. A typical annual programme will comprise in excess of 200 ‘master’ Lifecycle projects delivering a total investment in excess of £50M. The programme has sustainability at its core and is a key enabler in driving a greener estate. Typically you will lead the delivery of multiple sustainability related initiatives such as LED lighting and Air Source Heat Pump installations.

Key accountabilities:

• Working in partnership with the DWP Estates Strategy & Portfolio Planning, Asset Management and Project Teams to ensure a holistic, cost-effective approach to the planning and delivery of major critical asset replacement and lifecycle works programmes in line with Departmental strategy.
• Act as a key stakeholder contributing, challenging and validating asset investment strategic planning and budget setting which develops a robust and viable multiple year Investment Plan, and understand and deliver the agreed outputs within an agreed budget allocation.
• Deliver the agreed outputs by producing and obtaining agreement on the annual (Financial Year) Lifecycle Delivery Plan.
• Accountable for the effective management and successful delivery to time, cost & schedule of the agreed Annual Lifecycle Delivery Plan (ensuring consequences and dependencies are effectively managed).
• Control lifecycle and variation expenditure and income to meet agreed budgets and to maximise efficiencies whilst achieving the required quality standards.
• Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and internal & external key interfaces in the supply chain to provide a fit-for-purpose and accurate suite of MI, data, reports and forecasts capturing delivery, risk and financial metrics.
• Accountable/responsible for ensuring the Department’s lifecycle management strategy is pro-active, cost-effective and successfully delivers in line with contractual timescales whilst welcoming and responding to views and challenges of others despite any conflicting pressures.
• Ensure the Lifecycle Works Programme is delivered in compliance with all legislative, Health & Safety, contractual requirements and relevant building/engineering standards.
• Provide key stakeholder management as required to support the planning and delivery of the Lifecycle Works Programme.
• Ensure the provision and appropriate discharge of Health and Safety responsibilities in accordance with statutory and Authority requirements.
• Provide input and challenge to ensure that workplace and technical design standards are compliant.
• Liaise closely and build effective working relationships with Estates Commercial/Category Management, Cost Management, Performance and Audit and Finance BP as required.
• Contribute to the procurement of professional services consultants and works contractors to undertake inspections, detailed design and works delivery.
• Review supplier full tender documents and conduct analysis in conjunction with good industry practice.
• Own, and regularly review robust progress, technical and financial management and reporting regime, ensuring appropriate governance, audit and commercial approval arrangements are in place.
• Proactively demonstrate the DWP values and Estates ‘One Team’ culture to all service partners.