Location: Aylesbury
Overview
In April 2020 Buckinghamshire Council became the UK’s newest unitary council, ensuring that the residents of Buckinghamshire are served by a single, unitary council.
Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected– only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage.
The Construction Team sits within the Communities directorate Portfolio and has one of the largest revenue income and expenditure budgets. It also has an ambitious capital programme covering commercial, operational and community development.
We have an exciting opportunity within Construction where we are seeking an Interim Contract Manager (Construction), to be part of the organisations Construction team. Reporting to the Senior Contracts Manager this is a key role that will bring together skills in service provision delivery as well as the ability to work in a changing operational environment and the continuing work of bringing together the service provision from all the legacy organisations.
The appointment will be for a 12 month FTC/Secondment to cover maternity with the potential to extend a further 2 months.
About us
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Buckinghamshire, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. This will in turn support community services and create new schools, housing, regeneration, and income to support public services.
We also aim to provide a proactive construction management service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. Our Construction Team provides a consistent, high quality professional service that is responsive to customer demands. We are expanding the team to meet increasing demands on the services we offer.
As part of the Communities function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile construction projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK.
About the role
As an experienced Construction Professional, you will assist in the management and deliver an expert professional/specialist service providing commercial guidance in relation to capital projects pipeline up to a value of £100m per annum. Provide commercial guidance in relation to capital projects commencing at pre-tender/pre-appointments stage (RIBA 0-1) and through the project life cycle (end of RIBA 7), you will need to influence and motivate stakeholders, internal and external, to be able to assess and take the best commercial solution for risk management for the Council.
You will assist and lead where required on the day-to-day delivery of Strategic and Major projects. Including the adoption and management of project standards/governance, terms and conditions of appointment and contracts to meet the council requirements.
We want to play to your strengths but also provide support and the opportunity for you to develop and broaden your skills and experience.
We also want you to help others to grow and develop by mentoring and supporting colleagues enabling them to progress as they gain more experience and responsibility.
We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. Not only will you be an integral part of the unique and exciting transition through the unitary process, you will also be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.
On-the-go:
Our ‘on-the-go’ roles mean you’ll usually start and finish your day from a base, moving around between different locations throughout the day. You won’t need a fixed desk to work from, but you’ll have access to our network where you can keep up to date with admin and the latest staff updates.
About you
We are seeking an individual with significant demonstratable experience in the field of property construction with a preferable understanding of the Buckinghamshire County area would be helpful. An understanding of how construction can support the regeneration and place-making aims of the Council as well as experience of managing construction projects across the entire range preferably including housing.
A degree in a relevant subject (or substantial relevant work experience) is a must in this role, in addition full membership of RICS/CIOB is essential. You should apply if you have as a minimum:
1. A proven track record of managing and delivering major construction projects from either a client side or main contractor environment.
2. Have significant demonstrable experience of appointing and managing external consultants related to the delivery of construction projects.
3. Have a proven track record of effectively managing significant budgets.
4. Have an excellent understanding of procurement, building contracts and services.
5. Have a proven ability to work effectively in a professional and/or political environment establish positive and productive relationships with services providers and stakeholders.
6. Have substantial demonstratable experience of administering the terms of JCT Standard Forms of Contract, predominantly managing Design & Build Contracts via a 2 stage tendering procurement as the Employer and experience in other JCT form of Contract i.e. SBCXQ, SBCQ