Project and Development Manager

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

About the role

In September 2022, North Northamptonshire Council developed a new service 'Culture, Tourism and Heritage'. This new service has brought together departments across the council including Tourism delivery, theatres, events and heritage assets which now all sit within the Communities and Wellbeing Directorate.

North Northamptonshire Council has the vision:

'To create a new sustainable, efficient, and engaging heritage, cultural and tourism service that will shine a light on the outstanding assets we have within North Northamptonshire, whilst protecting and preserving heritage for future generations. Working with partners, we aim to improve and increase the tourism economy by developing infrastructure and introducing pioneering marketing strategies to attract inward investment and visitors.'

The Culture, Tourism and Heritage Service includes the following areas:

• The Chester House Estate (CHE)
• Corby Heritage Centre
• Cornerstone
• Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre (ARC)
• North Northamptonshire Council Events
• Discover North Northamptonshire Hub
• Destination Nene Valley (DNV)
• The Greenway Project
• Theatre Contracts for the Corby Core Theatre, The Lighthouse Theatre and The Castle Theatre.
• Visitor Attraction / Park contracts for Stanwick Lakes, Twywell Hill and Dales
• Cultural, Heritage and Tourism Partnerships including with Made with Many, Love Corby, The Northamptonshire Heritage Forum, Northamptonshire Surprise, Rockingham Forest Trust and The Nene Rivers Trust.

We are seeking an experienced Project and Development Manager to lead and deliver capital projects across the diverse landscape of Culture, Tourism, and Heritage within North Northamptonshire. This role involves overseeing major operational sites, including heritage visitor attractions and museums, ensuring the successful execution of capital developments across all our locations.

The ideal candidate will be skilled in project delivery, planning and monitoring, with a strong financial acumen to forecast and manage spending across multiple projects. Strong stakeholder management is essential, as you will collaborate with contractors, design teams, funders and colleagues, holding everyone accountable to project goals. Additionally, this role involves securing grants and funding to enhance the region's tourism, cultural and heritage infrastructure. You will manage consultants and contractors, with a dotted line to the Business Operations Manager.

As a key member of the Service Leadership Team, you will oversee several capital projects in North Northamptonshire. You will tackle strategic development challenges, delivering large-scale projects while driving improvement plans across the service. Your expertise in project management will guide project teams to meet their objectives, lead the design, development and execution of projects and support stakeholders in creating robust business cases. You will also manage project documentation, ensuring a comprehensive monitoring framework for activities, outcomes and risk management.

This position may occasionally require additional tasks as reasonably requested. All employees are expected to maintain a commitment to a safe and positive working environment.

The role includes working on a flexible 5/7-day roster, covering weekends and bank holidays.

If you are adept at managing complex projects with a passion for cultural and heritage development, we invite you to apply.

What will you be doing?

Overall purpose of the post

1. Lead the delivery of the service capital programme, ensuring excellence in facilities while adhering to financial constraints.
2. Prepare, maintain and publish project plans and other documentation to project boards for transparency and accountability.
3. Oversee the entire lifecycle of capital projects, from feasibility studies to timelyand budget-compliant completion, collaborating closely with project teams and construction partners.
4. Ensure all capital projects are executed to the highest standards, incorporating best sustainable practices and delivering value for money.
5. Manage the Projects Officer, providing guidance and support to ensure successful project outcomes.
6. Act as a deputy for the Head of Service, stepping in as needed to ensure continuity and effective management.
7. Develop and implement risk management strategies to identify, assess and mitigate potential project risks.
8. Foster strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
9. Continuously monitor project progress, implementing necessary adjustments to keep projects on track and within scope.
10. Promote innovation and continuous improvement within the project management process, seeking ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
11. Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, standards, and organisational policies throughout the project delivery process.
12. Lead efforts to secure grants and funding for future projects, enhancing the tourism, cultural and heritage infrastructure within North Northamptonshire.

Main accountabilities

1. Oversee the long-term delivery and development of the North Northamptonshire Greenway Project, managing contractors, funders, key stakeholders and a £12+ million funding allocation.
2. Manage the delivery and funding of projects at the Chester House Estate (£1.2 million), including constructing a restaurant, events space, restoring a historic greenhouse and building a 'phase 2' NLHF project.
3. Coordinate the Kettering Library Roof restoration and replacement (£4 million) in collaboration with the corporate capital projects team.
4. Oversee the upcoming Corby Heritage Centre rebuild project.
5. Lead upcoming heritage, culture and tourism capital projects across North Northamptonshire.
6. Serve as the key liaison and project manager with contractors, QS, Clerk of Works and designers.
7. Lead capital project procurement in alignment with NNC procurement guidelines.
8. Monitor and document project progress reports for funders and NNC governing boards.
9. Manage capital finances, track and forecast spending and oversee the spend approvals process within the council.
10. Identify funding opportunities by writing grants and bids for future infrastructure improvement projects within the service.
11. Develop funding bids and applications for future projects, both revenue and capital.
12. Support the Head of Service in creating long-term projects and investment plans for the service.
13. Conduct site visits and assessments.
14. Act as the main point of contact for key stakeholders within the projects, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
15. Manage planning permission, scheduled monument consents, and listed building consents.
16. Be the primary contact for consultants.
17. Manage contractual relationships with stakeholders.

This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

About you

We are looking for a dynamic and highly qualified individual who brings a wealth of experience in capital development and project management. The ideal candidate will have a professional or academic qualification at the degree level, complemented by further management or relevant professional certifications such as Chartered Status with RICS or CIOB. They should have a solid professional background with significant specialist knowledge in architecture, construction or project management, and a proven ability to manage large-scale projects within "live" environments, including estates and capital management.

The candidate we seek will possess excellent organisational skills, particularly in managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously. They will have a deep understanding of commercial, governance, operational and legal structures, as well as sound knowledge of corporate governance and risk management. Their ability to formulate and implement strategic and operational plans, write detailed reports and manage project budgets effectively will be crucial. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with the capability to write specifications, undertake tender exercises and successfully manage grant and funding applications.

Moreover, the successful candidate will demonstrate a confident, flexible, and relaxed management style, able to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders. They will have strong relationship management and influencing skills, with the ability to lead a diverse permanent and seasonal team. A commitment to equal opportunities and understanding the diverse physical, social, and welfare needs of others is essential, as is a dynamic leadership style and strong monitoring, evaluation and analytical skills. First aid training and a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH, preferably NEBOSH) would be advantageous.

Our benefits

We offer:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.

About us

We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.

Our priorities are:

• helping people live active fulfilled lives
• caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
• enabling a thriving and successful economy
• leading on a green and sustainable environment
• ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
• providing modern public services

Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.

Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.