Project Manager in Sunderland

We’re a values-driven, charitable organisation on a mission to make a real difference in Sunderland. Every day, we provide more than 60,000 people with a place they’re proud to call home. Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy-efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland.

If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we’d love for you to join us and help achieve our vision.

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We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a large number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

Salary: £55,858.00

We are currently recruiting for an experienced and knowledgeable Project Manager to join the growing Transformation/PMO team at Gentoo. The Project Manager will support the ongoing delivery of a range of business improvement and transformation projects, as the business embarks on a significant period of change. Working as part of a small team led by the Head of PMO and consisting of Project Managers, Business Analysts and Test Specialists to deliver transformation and IT projects across the business to improve our ways of working and the customer experience.

Based at Gentoo's Doxford Park, Sunderland head office, where you will work a standard 36-hour week, Monday to Friday, with the added benefit of an early 12:30 pm finish every Friday, with an exceptional holiday allowance and other company benefits. We recognise the importance of a positive work-life balance; our hybrid working model provides the flexibility of both office and home-based work. To support collaboration and innovation, you will be required to work from the office for part of the working week and be flexible to attend on-site meetings as required.

The PMO is responsible for the governance and delivery of medium to large-sized projects across the Group; it is part of the newly formed Business Improvement and Change function, which combines many core disciplines into one team to support change throughout the Group. It is an exciting time to join the team, with scope to help shape things as they develop successful project delivery using the Gentoo project management handbook and standards, is critical to support the business in its mission to create thriving communities, improve service standards for customers and spend money wisely.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Delivery of a portfolio of both IT and Business projects using the appropriate methodology (Agile/Waterfall/Hybrid). Focus on Change and Transformation.
• Efficient project mobilisation in line with the Group’s project management framework including: Project team set up – project scoping – risk management and escalation processes – resource requirements – financial assessment – governance processes.
• Ongoing project management/project delivery: Ensure successful project execution – project planning – risk identification and mitigation – cross-functional team collaboration/motivation – identification/management of interdependencies – resource and capacity planning – tracking agreed KPIs – documentation with clear audit trail – project close down/lessons learned.
• Delivery of individual objectives within context of “bigger picture” – strategic alignment and vision; Business Change and Implementation Team goals; PMO process and priorities.
• Change management techniques such as change impact assessment, stakeholder management and communications planning.
• Assign duties and responsibilities to project personnel and define the scope of their authority.
• Coordinate and manage project personnel to ensure the project progresses on schedule and within budget.
• Stakeholder management across the business to ensure that information and Risks are communicated in a timely and effective manner.

What we are looking for:

• Degree qualified (or equivalent)
• A recognised project management or change management qualification at practitioner level or training (or equivalent experience)
• Experience in managing a range of complex projects – Business and IT with multiple work streams is essential. Experience in managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Proven experience in successful delivery of projects on time and achieving project deliverables (time, cost and quality)
• Proven experience of delivering successful change management as part of project delivery.
• Demonstrable experience of identifying and managing interdependencies between projects.
• Experienced in developing and maintaining a positive teamworking environment
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of project management approaches (Business and IT) including planning, stakeholder management, risk management and governance, communications, and change impact assessment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of people change management methodologies and their practical application is essential.
• The ability to facilitate and influence key stakeholders, internal and external to the business.
• The ability to lead and bring together cross-functional teams to achieve a common goal without a direct reporting relationship.
• The ability to identify and escalate risk-driving discussions with risk owners and within the business as needed.
• The ability to positively challenge and have difficult conversations constructively and engagingly.
• The ability to multitask and work on and lead multiple projects concurrently.
• The ability to react to a changing environment, working as part of a team to identify solutions to project-related issues.
• A delivery-focused individual who gets the job done whether leading or being part of a team.

Some of our great benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.
• Early finish on Fridays
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover.
• Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan.
• Competitive Aviva pension scheme - Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution.
• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme
• Enhanced family-friendly leave
• Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary.