At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and report on housing capital projects, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence.
- Company: Harlow District Council, a vibrant local authority in Essex.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a thriving district with excellent transport links.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real difference in community housing projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field; strong IT skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Essex County Council are delighted to be supporting Harlow District Council to recruit a temporary Programme Analyst QS on a 12-month basis. Please note that this post requires the successful individual to be based on site 4 days per week.
The role involves joining the Housing Operations team to support a large housing capital construction programme. The role owns the master programme and cost forecast across the pipeline and live projects, and provides QS and contract support to the commercial team when demand dictates.
Programme management and reporting
- Build and maintain a high-level master programme of all pipeline and live projects across the housing capital programme, presented as a Gantt chart with clear milestones, dependencies and critical path.
- Track actual progress against forecast on every project and report slippage, its causes and its knock-on effect on the wider programme.
- Maintain live cost projections against the programme – budget, forecast, committed and actual spend – and reconcile these to the programme monthly.
- Produce clear monthly programme and cost dashboards and reports for senior leadership and governance, with variances, risks and recommended actions.
- Support in-year and multi-year budget profiling, spend forecasting and cash-flow projections for the capital programme.
Cross-service tracker calibration
- Collate, calibrate and scrutinise the trackers held by Capital Delivery, Procurement, Pre-Construction, Asset Data, Compliance and Fire Safety, so that a single, consistent version of the programme is reported.
- Challenge and validate the data behind those trackers – dates, scope, cost and status – and resolve inconsistencies with the service area leads.
- Establish and embed standard tracker formats, reporting cycles and data standards across service areas.
- Map stock condition, compliance and fire safety data (FRAs, remedial actions, statutory deadlines) through to the works programme so that regulatory deadlines drive project sequencing.
- Attend internal and external stakeholder meetings (occasionally after hours).
Quantity surveying and contract support
- Assist with the preparation of tender and contract packages, including contract particulars, pricing documents and schedules of amendments.
- Support tender evaluations, including commercial assessment, clarifications and recommendation reports.
- Provide contract administration and project QS support across a portfolio of works when demand dictates – valuations, variations, cost reporting and final accounts.
- Support the commercial team with early cost estimates, cost plans and risk registers at pre-contract stage.
The experience you will bring
- Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or similar; RICS / CIOB / APM membership (or working towards) desirable.
- Demonstrable experience planning and programming multi-project construction or housing capital programmes.
- Strong IT skills are essential, in particular advanced Microsoft Excel (complex formulas, lookups, pivot tables, data modelling and dashboard building) and Microsoft Project (building, resourcing, baselining and updating multi-project programmes and Gantt charts).
- Working knowledge of the wider Microsoft 365 suite (SharePoint, Teams, Power BI) and the ability to pick up housing asset, compliance and finance systems quickly; experience of Asta Powerproject or Primavera an advantage.
- Proven ability to organise and structure high volumes of programme and financial data into clear, robust reporting.
- Quantity surveying background with practical experience of tender documentation, tender evaluation, contract administration and JCT contracts.
- Experience of housing refurbishment, building compliance and fire safety works programmes, ideally local authority or housing association.
- Confident working across service areas, challenging data and holding others to account for programme information.
If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website. If you have any queries relating to this post please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk.
Locations
Programme Analyst QS in Chelmsford, Essex employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Social Workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people with disabilities. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, innovative practices, and professional development, our team enjoys a nine-day working fortnight and numerous opportunities for growth within a dynamic local authority. Join us in Chelmsford, where your contributions will be valued, and together we can empower the next generation to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Analyst QS in Chelmsford, Essex
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Essex County Council.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Essex County Council appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Analyst QS in Chelmsford, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Essex County Council know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Essex County Council is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
