At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage housing capital projects, track progress, and support contract administration.
- Company: Harlow District Council, a vibrant local authority in Essex.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work on-site 4 days a week in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere.
- Why this job: Join a thriving team and make a real impact on community housing projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field; strong IT skills required.
Harlow District Council is supporting the recruitment of a temporary Programme Analyst QS with a background in quantity surveying on a 12-month basis. This post requires the successful individual to be based on site 4 days per week.
The role involves:
- Building and maintaining 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.
- Tracking actual progress against forecast on every project and reporting slippage, its causes and its knock-on effect on the wider programme.
- Maintaining live cost projections against the programme – budget, forecast, committed and actual spend – and reconciling these to the programme monthly.
- Producing clear monthly programme and cost dashboards and reports for senior leadership and governance, with variances, risks and recommended actions.
- Supporting in-year and multi-year budget profiling, spend forecasting and cash-flow projections for the capital programme.
Cross-service tracker calibration includes:
- Collating, calibrating and scrutinising the trackers held by Capital Delivery, Procurement, Pre-Construction, Asset Data, Compliance and Fire Safety.
- Challenging and validating the data behind those trackers – dates, scope, cost and status – and resolving inconsistencies with the service area leads.
- Establishing and embedding standard tracker formats, reporting cycles and data standards across service areas.
- Mapping stock condition, compliance and fire safety data through to the works programme so that regulatory deadlines drive project sequencing.
- Attending internal and external stakeholder meetings (occasionally after hours).
Quantity surveying and contract support involves:
- Assisting with the preparation of tender and contract packages, including contract particulars, pricing documents and schedules of amendments.
- Supporting tender evaluations, including commercial assessment, clarifications and recommendation reports.
- Providing contract administration and project QS support across a portfolio of works when demand dictates.
- Supporting the commercial team with early cost estimates, cost plans and risk registers at pre-contract stage.
The experience required includes:
- 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, particularly advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project.
- Working knowledge of the wider Microsoft 365 suite and the ability to quickly learn housing asset, compliance and finance systems.
- 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.
- 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, please apply via the Working for Essex website. For any queries relating to this post, please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk.
Programme Analyst QS in Harlow 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 Harlow
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Essex County Council, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Programme Analyst QS at Essex County Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Analyst QS in Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
