Head Of Major Projects

1. Main purpose

1.1 Provide strategic leadership on the delivery of the Council’s major capital and

revenue projects (excluding highways) ensuring the highest standards of project

and programme management.

1.2 To lead and manage the project management of individual projects that have been

identified and agreed by the Council to pursue across a range of areas including

• Planned maintenance
• Decarbonisation projects
• Major capital delivery

1.3 Ensure excellent programme management with strong and coherent oversight and

reporting of the programme, providing detailed assurance so that projects are

health and safety compliant, delivered on time, within budget and to the desired

quality.

1.4 Advice on project deliverability at inception and lead on project scope,

procurement and contract award for all projects most of which will be high value.

1.5 Act as the lead point of contact for the Council’s client departments.

1. Main duties and responsibilities

Service responsibilities

Lead the relationship with and work collaboratively senior colleagues across the

Council to deliver significant, high value major projects ensuring that the service has a

reputation for successful delivery.

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Lead a team that undertakes all aspects of project management including

• Supports the development of a business case
• Project Initiation Document (PID)
• project plans
• health, safety and risk registers
• communication plans.

Lead the project management of all major projects. For example, commissioning

planned maintenance, refurbishment works, decarbonisation projects and capital

projects across all of the Council’s portfolio.

Take full responsibility for reporting into the directorate and corporate boards for the

major projects.

Establish realistic project plans (including scope, schedule, quality, risk and

communication plans) and track these, ensuring all stakeholder (internal and external)

involvement is clear and undertaken.

Monitor cost, time, quality and resources used and act where performance deviates

from agreed tolerances, including appropriate escalation to the Director / Executive

Director.

Staff

To lead and manage the staff in the team effectively, including recruitment,

performance management and sickness monitoring. Ensuring staff are routinely

supervised, trained and empowered to deliver services independently in this complex

area of service delivery

Monitor the work performance of the Project Managers through the undertaking of

monthly performance management reports, while ensuring the establishment of clear

personal performance targets within the context of the Council’s appraisal scheme is

also delivered.

Tackle poor performance positively and effectively using the Council’s established

Policies and Procedures

Management and Leadership

To be responsible for the direct management of the Project Managers (number

determined by the range of projects) on a range of significant, highly complex and / or

high value capital and revenue major projects.

Be the lead officer and point of contact for all contractors working on major projects.

Fully and positively participate in the Council’s performance appraisal scheme in order

to develop and enhance personal and service performance

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To ensure the team work towards and are up-to-date with council objectives and

targets as allocated.

Lead on corporate and cross sector projects as required.

Governance

Ensure excellent governance.

Work to ensure that legal, financial, procedural and other provisions governing the

affairs of the Council are properly observed and that appropriate action is taken to

protect the best interests of the Council.

Finance and Resources Responsibilities

Lead and manage the budget profiling of significant, high value major projects and

review all contract sign off payments.

Be responsible for tracking project budgets, carrying out reviews and evaluations and

presenting updates and findings to the Director / Executive Director and Project

Sponsors.

Manage and operate the budget for the management of staff and the delivery of

projects, ensuring that resources are utilised efficiently and that services provided are

within the approved budgets levels.

Prepare resources and performance reviews, savings plans, detailed budget plans and

undertaking budget management for all commissioned services

Produce regular reports on consistent with the Merton Approach to Project principles,

the use of resources and financial budgets, ensuring financial regulations, service

forecast planning and payment procedures are followed

Ensure resources are well managed and effectively deployed to the best possible

effects assuring value for money in all activities.

Ensure effective financial management, cost controls and income maximisation of all

projects and programmes.

Ensure change control is effectively managed on all projects to safeguard the Council’s

resources as well as ensure the scope of the project remains as agreed in the business

case and decision making reports.

Procurement

Oversee and manage the procurement and contract management of services and

agreements for the provision of significant, high value major projects.

Risk

Ensure that all projects have a complete risk register which is assessed regularly

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Ensure that operational risks are considered and appropriate actions are taken and

reporting are put into place to manage these.

Data & Technology

Use technology effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and contractors to improve

the effectiveness and efficiency of services delivered

To be responsible for ensuring the data quality of all information related to the duties of

the post.

Commissioning, Contacts and Relationship Management

Ensure that contracted services are able to meet contractual obligations and are

efficiently delivering on and satisfying the Council’s statutory and internal

responsibilities as required.

Lead the relationship with client departments establishing positive and constructive

relationships.

Develop, establish and sustain proactive and positive relationship(s) with contractors

and stakeholders.

Members

Brief and advise Elected Members, Chief Officers and other senior officers, establishing

effective working relationships and including the preparation of service information,

responses and reports to Council Committees, Working Parties,

Community Groups and voluntary sector agencies

Council vision and values

Contribute to the promotion of Merton Council’s visions and missions, including

adopting a “One Team” approach. Role model the values and behaviours of the

organisation and be an ambassador for and represent the Council at all times

Ensure at all times that a corporate view is adopted and that complaints (both internal

and external) are dealt with promptly and effectively

Lead on corporate and cross sector projects as required.

Equalities

Implement the Council’s diversity and equal opportunities policies and its statutory

responsibility with regard to other individuals and service delivery

Health & Safety

Ensure that the Corporate and Departmental Health and safety policies

are implemented at all times and to raise any concerns regarding their operation or any

health and safety matter with the Director or Executive Director.