At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead diverse capital projects, ensuring timely and quality delivery across various sectors.
- Company: Local authority in North West England with a focus on community development.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and potential for extension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community projects while leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in capital project delivery and strong financial management skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on sustainability-focused projects and engage with senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
An experienced Interim Head of Operational & Commercial Capital Projects is sought to lead the delivery of a diverse capital programme spanning schools, heritage assets, leisure facilities, corporate buildings, transport and operational depots.
This is a senior leadership assignment requiring a hands-on, politically astute interim who can stabilise, accelerate and assure capital delivery across a multi-project portfolio. You will act as the council’s Intelligent Client, ensuring governance, commercial rigour, and programme performance while leading internal teams and external consultants.
Key Responsibilities- Leadership & Team Management
- Lead a multi-disciplinary team of Programme Managers, Senior Project Managers and Project Managers.
- Provide clear direction, coaching and performance management across a busy capital delivery function.
- Embed strong governance, reporting, and quality assurance processes across the service.
- Build a collaborative culture with clear expectations, accountability and proactive problem-solving.
- Programme & Project Delivery
- Oversee a portfolio of capital projects typically ranging from £0.5m to £40m+, ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality.
- Drive projects through all RIBA stages, ensuring robust business cases, options appraisals, feasibility and risk management.
- Champion sustainability, low-carbon solutions, BREEAM considerations and social value outcomes within project scope.
- Conduct site visits and ensure compliance with CDM Regulations, Building Regulations and statutory processes.
- Commercial & Financial Accountability
- Act as Intelligent Client, managing external technical consultants, design teams and contractors.
- Lead procurement strategies including consultancy frameworks, NEC/JCT contract administration and contract negotiations.
- Own programme-level budget management, ensuring accurate forecasting, reporting and cost control.
- Identify opportunities for efficiencies, external funding, grant contributions and cost-saving measures.
- Stakeholder & Political Management
- Engage regularly with senior stakeholders including Directors, Elected Members, corporate leadership and programme boards.
- Provide clear, timely reporting, updates and recommendations for decision-making.
- Build strong working relationships with service leads, asset managers, finance, legal and regeneration colleagues.
- Represent the council confidently in external forums, consultations and partnership meetings.
- Corporate Responsibilities
- Promote and uphold council values, behaviours and performance standards.
- Ensure all activities are compliant with Health & Safety legislation and internal governance frameworks.
- Model high standards of customer service, professionalism and public-sector ethics.
- Significant senior leadership experience delivering complex capital programmes in a local authority or public-sector environment.
- Demonstrable experience managing multidisciplinary project delivery teams and external consultants.
- Strong understanding of RIBA stages, NEC/JCT contracts, procurement, governance and risk management.
- Proven track record delivering buildings, estates, regeneration or civic projects with similar scale and complexity.
- Excellent financial management capability with responsibility for multi-million-pound capital budgets.
- Skilled communicator able to influence, negotiate and build relationships in a political context.
- Professionally qualified (e.g. RICS, CIOB, RIBA, ICE, APM) or equivalent senior experience.
- Experience delivering sustainability, decarbonisation or BREEAM-aligned projects.
- Experience working with heritage buildings, leisure facilities or school estates.
- Experience implementing service transformation or process improvement within capital delivery teams.
Head of Capital Projects in London employer: Trades Workforce Solutions
Contact Detail:
Trades Workforce Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Capital Projects in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or industry contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your next big opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with capital projects and your leadership skills. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and delivered complex projects on time and within budget.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its current projects. Understand their challenges and think about how your skills can help them succeed. This will not only impress them but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be perfect for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, what are you waiting for? Get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Capital Projects in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Interim Head of Capital Projects. Highlight your experience in managing complex capital programmes and leading multidisciplinary teams. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects you've led that relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Let us know what makes you stand out!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior leadership position, make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've built collaborative cultures and managed teams effectively. We love to see strong leadership in action!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trades Workforce Solutions
✨Know Your Capital Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of capital projects, especially those relevant to local authorities. Familiarise yourself with RIBA stages, NEC/JCT contracts, and the types of projects mentioned in the job description. This will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a senior role, they’ll want to see how you lead teams. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style, particularly in managing multidisciplinary teams. Discuss how you've fostered collaboration and accountability in past roles, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
Expect questions about how you engage with various stakeholders, including senior directors and elected members. Think of specific instances where you’ve successfully navigated political landscapes or built strong relationships. This will demonstrate your ability to represent the council effectively.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Given the financial responsibilities of the role, be ready to discuss your experience with budget management and cost control. Bring examples of how you've managed multi-million-pound budgets and identified efficiencies or funding opportunities in previous projects.