Senior Project Manager - Education

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.

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 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.

Determines and arranges project management, technical services and external resources required for the project on an individual and team basis on behalf of client organisation. Collaborates with the team/s (client, design team and other consultants, and contractor) and all stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the project in line with all expectations communicating strategies to the team. Demonstrates Mace's value of Safety First, exhibiting visible safety behaviours and using safety moments and Mace's HSW framework. Provides subject matter knowledge to support the team(s) from the broader Mace projects and business units to assist in ensuring the best project outcome.

Procures and manages design and wider consultant team(s) and project stakeholders to ensure effective completion of responsibilities including project brief/scope, fees, processing claims, deliverable and/or project variations etc. Actively supports collaboration between all parties. Produces design and authorities programme (or works with a planner to produce) to be integrated with procurement and delivery programme. Manages the timely and successful delivery to programme 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 and is accountable for the scope of works relating to the project portfolios.

Delivers the project objectives in line with the Project Execution Plan, leads and manages the project team/s and relevant stakeholders to achieve strategic project key performance indicators (KPIs). Prepares and modifies where necessary project plans and keeps them updated and relevant over the course of the project/s. Oversees project timeframes and budgets, ensuring successful delivery of projects, highlighting any risks, challenges and mitigations. Collaborates with relevant stakeholders and ensures robust quality systems are in place and suitably managed and monitored in line with Service Excellence.

Leads and records relevant meetings, providing relevant parties with contextual information and analysis. Partners with relevant stakeholders and is actively involved in risk management and mitigation treatments. Effectively coordinates and communicates with all project stakeholders, ensuring completion of responsibilities/tasks and that appropriate standards and records are documented and maintained. Takes ownership of project changes, as and when necessary, tracking project changes and ensuring they are progressed and formalised within the agreed timeframes. Responsible for ensuring approved handover documentation is coordinated and provided prior to practical completion.

Promotes and drives the businesses priorities through Construction to Production, Digital provides a safe work environment to learn and mature. Mentors and develops individuals, sharing knowledge and experience. Champions and operates within an inclusivity environment.

Competencies include: Interpersonal ability, Influencing and negotiation, Problem solving and analytical thinking, Technology and Process, Verbal communication, Written communication. Understands personal strengths and weaknesses, seeks learning and support where appropriate.

Substantial previous experience in a project management role on medium sized or complex projects, or leading smaller projects. Experience in the construction delivery phase of projects. MCIOB/MAPM/MRICS/MICE or local equivalent. Tertiary qualifications in related (project management and/or construction related discipline), non-related degree or equivalent professional experience/apprenticeship, combined with a demonstrable intermediate level of role knowledge. Appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card (or local equivalent).

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.