Senior Project Manager - Education in Birmingham

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. Within our consult business, we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project.

Responsible for leading projects to deliver the agreed outcomes within time, cost and quality requirements. Guides and coordinates with all relevant parties to understand and deliver project objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs), providing day to day management and leadership of the project and the project team. Delivers internal fee expectations (where appropriate) together with appropriate risk mitigation and change management.

The project: Mace has a significant track record in the education sector, working with schools, colleges, local authorities, and central government to deliver ‘landmarks for learning’ nationally with a strength of vision and concept that are sustainable, inherently flexible and able to change to meet future needs. Mace’s is the leading consultant for the Department for Education (DfE) and is delivering projects across all their principal capital programmes, including the Schools Re-building Programme (SRP), free schools, special educational needs and further education (colleges). We are seeking lead technical advisors/project managers looking to further their careers and lead high performing multidisciplinary teams on a wide portfolio of work covering new build, refurbishment, remodelling and carbon reduction schemes.

Mace’s ability to provide the key multidisciplinary services of design, cost, information management, sustainability and health and safety in house means that clients benefit from an integrated end to end service with a single point of accountability. These are client-facing roles involving developing the clients’ strategy, initial design, contractor appointment and contract management. In addition to supporting our client’s property objectives, our projects typically include BIM, off-site construction, soft landings, social value creation, and people and skills development. All projects typically require NZC in operation and sometimes in construction.

Our values shape the way we consult, and define the people we want to join us on our journey:

• Safety first - Going home safe and well: You will promote Mace's value of Safety First, exhibiting visible safety behaviours, sharing lessons learned and using safety moments and Mace's HSW framework to support the safety and wellbeing of all Mace staff. You will possess technical expertise in local Health and Safety rules and regulations relevant to project portfolio. You will promote a diverse and inclusive working environment, and understand the importance of the wellbeing of the people in your team.
• Client focus - Deliver on our promise: You will ensure robust quality systems are in place, and suitably managed in line with service excellence. You will manage delivery from project inception/brief, through design development and planning, contractor procurement and construction phase in accordance with the overall delivery program and agreed project milestones. You will manage tasks and associated deliverables in support of the Associate Director and other senior leaders, alongside the wider project and client teams, to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of the project.
• Integrity - Always do the right thing: You will manage project budgets and highlight any risks, challenges and mitigations. You will support the long term development of your function or Business Unit (BU), creating a sustainable business future. You will commit to making a positive impact for our people, our clients, and our planet, and take ownership for holding others to account who do not uphold the Mace values.
• Create opportunity - For our people to excel: You will manage design and wider consultant teams in a collaborative manner to ensure effective completion of responsibilities. You will lead and manage the project team and relevant stakeholders to achieve strategic project key performance indicators (KPIs). You will actively network, innovate, and seek understanding of best practice, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace Group, the Centres of Excellence, Mace Way Control Centre and Knowledge Hub.

You’ll need to have:

• Proven successful experience in project management, managing medium sized projects.
• Developed communication, presentation and project planning and development skills.
• Developed budgetary oversight expertise.
• Advanced proficiency in communicating, coordinating activities and collaborating with stakeholders.
• Proven understanding of project management methodologies and practices.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills to support the client/customer focus.
• Proactively manage internal budgets and fees, delivering agreed outcomes (where appropriate).
• Proven competency that understands construction methodologies and sequencing.
• Developed bidding skills.
• Proficient knowledge and expertise in specific sector/market of project/role.
• Relevant technical qualification/certification for project portfolio/s.
• Sound technical expertise in Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (or local equivalent) rules and specific sector/market regulations relevant to project/portfolio.
• Knowledge of consultancy, construction, infrastructure and property sectors/markets and an understanding of estimating, scheduling, contracts administration, procurement, commercial controls and reporting.
• Seeks opportunities for implementing improved working practices.
• Seeks out opportunities for service differentiation and implements.
• Manages relevant stakeholders for project/s.
• Develops effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Uses advanced communication skills to collaborate with others to guide others to achieve project key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Good interpersonal skills to prepare reports, negotiate and build relationships with key stakeholders.
• Problem solving and analytical skills for resolving planning, estimating, contract administration and procurement issues within construction and design activities.
• Developed commercial and financial skills and an ability to build up fee proposals and project workbooks (where appropriate, and developing commercial skills where not).
• Demonstrates Mace values and behaviours.
• Partners with others providing day to day project leadership to achieve deliverables.
• Manages teams providing guidance, direction and coordination.
• Acts as central point of contact for project portfolio for relevant stakeholders, internal and externally.
• Mentors and develops the project team; provides a safe work environment to learn and mature.
• Champions and operates within an inclusivity environment.

You’ll also have:

• Membership of RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE or equivalent demonstrable professional or personal development.
• Substantial experience in the successful delivery phase of projects and programmes in the DfE sector.
• Property or infrastructure project management expertise.
• Commercial and financial acumen.
• Experience of leading parts of projects within large, diverse teams.
• Experience of developing and forming relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of how carbon and sustainability considerations will shape the outlook of the projects you are working on.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation. We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.