Project Sponsor in Belfast

Hours of Work: Full-Time

Location: Office location Greater Belfast with expectation to travel across the wider PSNI Estate

Closing Date/Time: 23rd February 3pm

Reference Number: HRPS0526

Job Background: The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) operates a diverse and complex estate that must support a wide range of policing functions, operational demands and community needs. Maintaining a safe, modern, efficient and resilient estate is essential to enabling effective service delivery, supporting staff wellbeing and ensuring value for public money. Estate Services is responsible for the strategic planning, management and oversight of this estate, working in partnership with internal stakeholders, external advisors and contracted service providers. The Project Sponsor (Estates) plays an important role within this structure by providing senior client-side support across asset management, contract and maintenance management, project planning, project delivery oversight and reporting. The post holder ensures that estate-related activities and projects are aligned to operational policing requirements, delivered safely and efficiently, and governed in accordance with organisational policies and statutory obligations. Working closely with operational leaders, the Property Maintenance Services (PMS) contractor, consultants and internal colleagues, the PS contributes to the development and implementation of estate solutions that are robust, compliant and sustainable. The role supports the delivery of the PSNI Estate Strategy by ensuring that assets are effectively managed, maintenance programmes are prioritised and monitored, and capital and revenue projects are planned and delivered with strong governance, financial control and assurance.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 37 working hours per week.

Salary: £47,304 - £49,515 plus £1,422 environmental allowance.

Main Activities:

• Asset & Estate Management: Lead the development and maintenance of long term estate and asset management plans, ensuring alignment with policing functions, operational priorities and the wider Estate Strategy. Direct space planning, modernisation and utilisation reviews to ensure facilities remain efficient, sustainable and fit for purpose. Provide oversight of asset inspection data and assure the quality, accuracy and completeness of Asset Management Plans. Identify estate related risks, constraints and dependencies across locations and agree robust mitigation strategies with delivery partners. Periodically review maintenance strategies to ensure assets remain safe, compliant and operationally effective. Engage senior managers to assess current and emerging estate requirements and ensure estate plans remain responsive and future-focused.
• Contract & Maintenance Management: Act as the client lead for the PMS contract, providing strategic oversight of planned, reactive and cyclical maintenance activities. Set priorities for maintenance and works programmes, approving budgets, specifications and delivery plans. Monitor contractor performance against KPIs and service standards, ensuring issues are escalated and resolved. Review and approve risk assessments, PPM regimes and maintenance specifications to ensure safety, compliance and value for money. Ensure adherence to Health & Safety, procurement, contract management and governance requirements. Authorise payments, variations and final accounts within delegated financial limits.
• Project Sponsorship & Governance: Act as Project Sponsor for capital and revenue projects, providing strategic leadership across varying scales and complexities. Ensure projects are clearly defined, justified and approved through appropriate business case processes. Approve the Project Brief, Project Execution Plan and Risk Management Plan to establish clear direction and governance. Provide strategic decision making and direction throughout the project lifecycle to maintain alignment with organisational priorities. Ensure robust financial control, cost planning and change control arrangements are in place and adhered to. Chair or participate in key project meetings and gateway reviews to provide assurance and maintain delivery confidence.
• Project Delivery Oversight: Ensure projects are delivered in line with agreed scope, programme, budget and quality standards. Oversee feasibility studies, options appraisals and design development to ensure solutions are viable, compliant and aligned with estate strategy. Ensure procurement strategies meet Construction and Procurement Delivery requirements and support value for money. Monitor project performance, manage risks and resolve escalations to maintain progress and control. Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, security and risk management policies throughout construction and delivery. Review contractor and consultant performance, addressing underperformance and ensuring contractual obligations are met.
• Reporting, Assurance & Continuous Improvement: Establish and maintain clear reporting arrangements covering progress, cost, risk and quality across all estate activities. Provide timely briefings, reports and updates to senior stakeholders, governance boards and oversight bodies. Ensure post project evaluations and lessons-learned reviews are completed and inform future practice. Oversee post-contract audits and ensure final accounts are agreed, closed and fully documented. Drive continuous improvement in estate management, project delivery and contract management processes.

The main duties and responsibilities reflect the main elements of those associated with this position. It is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive.

Person Specification:

Essential Qualifications: Bachelor's degree, or equivalent Level 6 qualification, in an estates, property, construction, engineering, or built environment-related discipline (for example: Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management).

Essential Skills and Experience: Applicants will be required to evidence that they have a minimum of five years experience in each of the following areas:

• Experience developing strategic plans and conducting utilisation or efficiency reviews across multiple sites, services or operational functions.
• Proven ability to manage external contractors or service providers, including performance monitoring, compliance oversight and delivery of planned and reactive work programmes.
• Demonstrated experience leading estate related projects from initiation to completion, including stakeholder engagement, governance and financial control.
• Strong understanding of Health and Safety, procurement of regulatory requirements, with experience conducting audits, evaluation and continuous improvement activities.

Essential Other: IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (Including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook). The post holder will be expected to travel on official duty frequently and regularly throughout Northern Ireland. This includes travel to remote and rural locations, often inaccessible by public transport. It is therefore essential that applicants have access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirement of the post in full.

Desirable Skills and Experience: Experience of Computer Aided Design (CAD) software such as AutoCAD and Revit and/or Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) software. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development in construction related areas especially project management and contract administration. Working knowledge of NEC contracts. Chartered membership of a relevant construction institution (e.g. RICS, CIOB, RIBA, ICE, CIAT or equivalent). N.B All professional qualifications and chartered memberships must be fully completed by the closing date of the competition.

Additional Information: Appointment will be dependent on the individual satisfying the vetting requirements for the post which will vary according to the work area appointed to. Please note that for all appointments there is a minimum requirement to have a three year checkable history, which includes a requirement for candidates to have resided in the UK for the three years immediately preceding their vetting application. Shortlisting will be carried out based on essential criteria. Please note in some instances, for example, where there is a high volume of applicants, desirable criteria may be assessed. Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising. We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence.

Selection Methodology: PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) which sets out nationally recognised behaviours and values to support all policing professionals. You will be assessed against the values and at the competencies level as indicated below. This will include both past and future focused questions. Further guidance and information about the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) is available here on our website. Please use the 2024 CVF for this role. Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential qualifications, skills and experience will be required to demonstrate their experience for the following criteria:

Competency and Values Based Presentation and Interview

Values Public Service Competencies Level 2

• We Support and Inspire
• We Are Innovative and Open Minded
• We Analyse Critically
• We Take Ownership