Programme Manager

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About the role

We are looking for an exceptional candidate to join our team on a fixed-term basis (6-month FTC) and manage the successful delivery of a range of projects in the architecture and infrastructure space.

We are seeking a passionate individual who wants to accelerate place-based innovation by design and to influence others to see place- and infrastructure as fundamental to our societal transition to a sustainable and regenerative world for all.

In this role, you will be responsible for the development and programme management of a portfolio of projects in our place and infrastructure team, working with Design Council Experts, and managing client relationships to deliver exceptional project outcomes and in doing so, to support the Design Sector in taking a key role in tackling the climate crisis.

Key responsibilities and activities

Business and Programme Development

• Leading on the planning, delivery and day-to-day management of programmes of work in the place and infrastructure sectors with a focus on our infrastructure portfolio
• Managing projects to deliver effective, high-quality outcomes, and efficiencies, in line with agreed project objectives.

• Working with the Place Innovation Lead and Senior Programme Managers to define, scope, develop and convert new business opportunities and projects.

Client and Programme management

• Development and day-to-day management of high-quality client relationships across the project portfolio

• Successfully and efficiently manage projects to time and budget

• Managing resources and relationships with key partners, clients and Design Council Experts to ensure exceptional standards of service and content development and delivery in this mission

• Ensuring projects are delivered to agreed contracts, meeting high quality standards, financial targets and deliverables on time

• Supporting in the professional development of colleagues

Design Council representation

• Providing insight, advice and support regarding sustainable and regenerative place-based design to internal and external audiences
• Developing contacts and influence in relevant external networks extending beyond existing projects' and clients' focus to gather and promote insight and best practice and position Design Council

Skills & Experience

Programme and Project Management

• An experienced programme manager with a proven track record of success in managing multiple complex projects with delivery on time and to budget.
• Experience and expertise working in the place and infrastructure sector and a solid understanding of sustainability challenges and approaches within the sector.
• Confidence in effectively engaging with clients and managing client relationships.
• Ability to build successful relationships with external stakeholder organisations including local authorities, government bodies and community organisations.
• Experience of or exposure to developing community-led responses to planning, eg. through engaging in neighbourhood plans.

• Confident and adaptable user of IT systems including project management tools.

Design thinking and skills

• Familiarity with applying systems thinking to complex problems, and understanding of how to incorporate it into client conversations.
• Strong experience of overseeing a portfolio of programmes while extracting insights from them and continually improving them.
• Ability to articulate and assess design quality in the context of programmes such as Design Coding and Design Reviews.
• Examples of creating Thought Leadership and an ability to raise the profile of the organisation and its work.

• Motivated and excited to evolve current design practice to prioritise climate-relevant approaches, specifically within place and infrastructure.

People management and skills

• Ability to work collaboratively, building creative consensus through a consultative approach and working across multiple stakeholders.
• Understanding and appreciation of the importance and value of diversity, equity and inclusion in building a positive workplace culture.

Expert Knowledge & Qualifications

The successful candidate will also have the following:

• Academic and professional qualifications, or associated discipline, or equivalent experience in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, environmental design, or planning
• Professional experience of engaging with and operating across the built environment system in a variety of roles or contexts
• Experience and skills across a selection of the following practices relevant to design, placemaking and the climate and biodiversity crises:

  - Housing delivery;

  - Retrofit and repurposing of existing assets

  - Town centre regeneration;

  - Sustainable planning and development;

  - Landscape character appraisals and assessments;

  - Environmental impact assessments;

  - Developing green and blue infrastructure frameworks, and ecological assessments;

  - Biodiversity net gain;

  - Flooding and drainage assessments;

  - Assessing embodied and operational carbon performance;

  - Whole life cycle analysis

  - A project management qualification is an advantage.

Our Values & Behaviours

• Boundless Curiosity. Curious, up to date with design debates and relevant sustainability environments.
• Inspire Possibility. Passionate about creating change through design and the impact on our Design for Planet mission.
• Powerful Together. Inclusive and collaborative and supportive of others across the organisation

Corporate responsibilities

• Proactively identify and manage risks and financial controls in relation to the Design Council and your specific area of responsibility
• Comply with the Design Council's operational policies and procedures including financial and risk management, project management and evaluation processes, brand guidelines, GDPR, information security and internal health and safety policy.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and ethical behaviour at all times.