Infrastructure Project Manager

On behalf of DEFRA - Environment Agency, we are looking for an Infrastructure Project Manager (Inside IR35) for a 15 month contract. This is a hybrid working role (two days per week office based - Newcastle). In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people's lives. We are responsible for England's environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future.
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production.
• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Job Purpose: At the Environment Agency (EA) we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community wishing to join a company which embraces difference and welcomes everyone. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.

Do you want to lead and deliver important and innovative projects that reduce the risk of flooding and enhance the environment? We are looking for Project Managers to join us in Programme & Contract Management (PCM) in a rewarding and prominent role within our integrated project teams taking responsibility for the management of projects as the Client project manager.

As an Infrastructure Project Manager, your main responsibilities will be:

• You will put health, safety and the environment at forefront of project delivery. By applying strong commercial understanding in project, contract and risk management you will manage the project delivery process from initial strategic planning, through to feasibility, detailed design and then into implementation, construction and handover.
• You will make project decisions informed by technical leads whilst following governance procedures, project assurance and legislation.
• You will build a collaborative working environment to establish effective relationships and create high performing teams which include our suppliers, client representatives, technical specialists and other partners, such as statutory authorities, landowners and local communities to negotiate agreements, consents, approvals and external funding.
• Responding to incidents is a central part of what the EA does. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. Supporting incident response may attract an additional payment as well as facilitating further career development as it gives you the opportunity to see how other parts of the business works. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

Essential:

• Proven experience in project delivery and contract management, ideally within engineering, construction and/or flood & coastal risk management
• Effective at communicating with a wide range of people, as well as interpersonal and influencing skills to build collaborative relationships
• Confident and proficient using MS office (teams, excel, word, project etc)
• Active management of health, safety and wellbeing

Desirable:

• Experience of working with FastDraft, Projects Online, NEC4 contracts
• Chartered membership of a professional body such as ICE, APM or CIWEM
• A degree (or equivalent) in an engineering, environmental or geography related discipline
• Technical expertise in areas such as asset management, business case development, cost monitoring/forecasting, scope preparation, CDM, engineering design and construction and river modelling

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident: As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DEFRA guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant: DEFRA guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following 'this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different'.