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- Tasks: Lead and manage projects, ensuring successful delivery and team performance.
- Company: Join National Highways, improving England's motorways for safer journeys.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options with a minimum of 2 days in the office.
- Why this job: Perfect for experienced pros returning to work after a break; impactful role in a vital organization.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and team leadership; relevant certifications preferred.
- Other info: Diverse environment welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the job.
Are you looking to return to work following a career break of 2 or more years? If you are an experienced professional looking to return to the workplace, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. To apply for this vacancy and join our Returners Programme, applicants must be returning from a career break of 2 or more years or have been freelancing or working in a home business during that time.
As a Project Manager within our Operations directorate, you’ll plan and manage the delivery of projects, managing the performance of a project team, external contractors, and consultants, and ensuring adherence to effective governance, quality assurance, health and safety, technical and specialist standards across the supply chain and National Highways. You’ll be responsible for ensuring a successful delivery of agreed project outcomes and acting in line with mandatory and delegated responsibilities.
We operate on a hybrid working approach with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. This role can be based from any of our National Highways offices.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and agree key project milestones, scope acceptable risks and priorities, ensuring that appropriate governance is in place to achieve successful delivery.
- Manage, lead, and motivate Assistant Project Managers, ensuring effective performance is delivered and to support their personal development.
- Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the Programme Manager, and other key internal and external stakeholders, to ensure full mutual understanding of the projects’ strategic and delivery objectives, to report on and review project performance, and to agree solutions that resolve complex issues.
- Oversee feasibility for proposed projects, to inform the development of business cases and investment proposals.
- Design, agree, and implement project plans, to ensure that all activities are appropriately organised to deliver project objectives, are appropriately resourced to deliver the required outcomes, and comply with locally defined procedures.
About you.
- Demonstrable experience of managing the development of project plans and detailed stage plans in conjunction with delivery partners.
- Strong collaborator, to gain the involvement and engagement of a wide range of senior stakeholders.
- Evidence of managing teams to successful development of complex, medium/high risk projects or high-profile projects.
- Holds or able to attain a certified accreditation project or programme management qualification at IPMA level C: e.g.: APMPQ or APM PPQ, MSP Advanced.
- Experience of managing business and/or value management cases for new projects through company defined governance, review and approval gates.
About us.
Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers, and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork, and ownership.
Operations is at the heart of keeping the strategic road network moving and ensuring our customers get the best possible experience when using our roads.
We address over 39,000 customer enquiries every month, plan and deliver all maintenance activities on the network, drive efficiencies and improvements across our systems and roads, and respond to incidents across 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads that we manage. All to make sure National Highways customers have safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys.
External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.
We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
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Project Manager - Returners Programme employer: National Highways
Contact Detail:
National Highways Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Returners Programme
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your previous project management experience, especially if you've managed complex projects or teams. This will show that you have the skills needed to lead and motivate others effectively.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have returned from career breaks. They can provide valuable insights and may even refer you to opportunities within National Highways.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarize yourself with the specific governance and quality assurance standards used by National Highways. Understanding these will help you demonstrate your readiness to adhere to their processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would develop collaborative relationships with stakeholders. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully engaged with senior stakeholders to achieve project goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Returners Programme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Career Break: Since this position is specifically for individuals returning from a career break, make sure to clearly explain your break in your application. Discuss any relevant skills or experiences you gained during this time, whether through freelancing or personal projects.
Showcase Project Management Experience: Emphasize your previous project management experience, particularly in developing project plans and managing teams. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead complex projects and collaborate with stakeholders.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Customize your CV and cover letter to align with the job description. Highlight key responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the listing, such as governance, quality assurance, and stakeholder engagement.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your career break and how you plan to transition back into the workforce. Be ready to discuss how your past experiences will contribute to your success in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Highways
✨Highlight Your Project Management Experience
Make sure to discuss your previous project management roles and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Share specific examples of projects you've managed, focusing on your ability to deliver successful outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role requires strong collaboration with various stakeholders, prepare to share instances where you successfully engaged senior stakeholders. Highlight your communication strategies and how you built relationships to achieve project goals.
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Given that this position is part of a Returners Programme, emphasize your adaptability and readiness to transition back into the workforce. Discuss any freelance or home business experiences during your career break that demonstrate your ongoing professional development.
✨Prepare for Governance and Compliance Questions
Be ready to discuss your understanding of governance and compliance in project management. Prepare examples of how you've ensured adherence to quality assurance and safety standards in past projects, as this is crucial for the role.
