JOB SUMMARY

From the design and development of policies to the delivery of services supporting work, welfare, pensions and child maintenance, DWP is the Government’s largest department.
People are at the very heart of what we do. We ensure disabled people can live more independent lives; help tackle poverty and homelessness; provide a financial foundation for a secure old age; and support families ensuring children can fulfil their potential.
DWP has the largest commercial estate in government and our team is committed to being smaller, greener and better – helping people to work, grow and thrive. Our estate provides accommodation for colleagues who support millions of daily customer interactions in Jobcentres and Health Assessment centres, back of house offices delivering frontline services and hub sites housing expert functions such as Policy, Finance, Digital and HR.
The DWP Estates function ensures the smooth and efficient operation of this network on a day-to-day basis. We manage a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as security guarding, maintenance, property and leasehold, construction, cleaning and facilities management. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them.

Our ambition is to

• Transition to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate
• Invest in improving DWP’s buildings and infrastructure, conducted mainly through an extensive programme of planned replacement works
• Meet our agreed Government Greening Commitments - creating a culture where sustainability is embedded
• Expertly deliver cost effective services
• Create a professional working culture that is best in class across the Government Property world

There is no better time to join us as we transform our estate and make our buildings fit for the future.
This senior management role plays a significant part in the delivery of services to our customers on a day to day and strategic basis and you are required to be qualified in line with GPU professional framework. As a Real Estate specialist, you will lead the planning, delivery and assurance of £multi-million Lifecycle and Minor Refurbishment works programmes delivered either directly or through our extensive third party supplier partner network. It is therefore key this role drives a One Team collaborative approach, across a large and complex Authority Real Estate portfolio, implementing a totally new way of working.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)

This role sits within the following:

• Job Family – Property & Construction Projects
• Core Role - Property & Construction Project Management
• Level – Senior Practitioner

Estates has performance and audit management responsibility of key suppliers in the Estates organisational structure including the Integrator (management) level and four key supplier partners across FM, Security, Landlord & Lease Management, as well as Projects to ensure:

• All contract performance obligations are met in a timely and effective manner
• Compliance against specific performance criteria
• Appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place
• The value of the contract remains undiminished

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• DWP ownership of the planning and delivery of significant real estate investment programmes from inception to completion, working in partnership with Asset Management and on occasion, Real Estate Leasehold and Portfolio Planning teams to lead a collaborative and holistic approach to the end-to-end programme delivery function
• To act as a senior leader and subject matter expert for all minor works project delivery, fire safety improvements and Planned & Preventative Maintenance (PPM) Lifecycle Works delivery on behalf of Estates, in partnership with supply chain partners and all business and customer stakeholders
• Communicate effectively with senior leaders and work in collaboration with Asset Management colleagues to influence future investment strategies based on accurate asset data
• Senior leadership, governance and direction of the project management function across the lifecycle works and minor CAPEX projects portfolio, with contractual responsibility for and management of supplier partners implementing the delivery of all construction works
• Provide strategic direction to the communications and stakeholder engagement function linked to real estate investment programmes
• Accountable for the implementation of best practice across all projects
• Strategic oversight of the financial performance, commercial assurance, budget transparency and achieving value for money across all projects and programmes within your area of responsibility
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a strategic and fit-for-purpose supply chain procurement strategy, tailored to the specific deliverables of all projects and programmes, in full alignment and compliance with Framework Agreements and Public Sector procurement regulations
• Provide senior leadership to ensure all projects are delivered in compliance with all commercial, planning and quality targets and industry standards and are delivered with maximum efficiency, avoiding conflicts and eliminating poor planning
• Support the DWP Asset Management Function to produce a Life Cycle Plan for PPM works, with clear links to investment budgets and accurate estates asset data schedules
• Use best industry practice to critique, challenge and enhance lifecycle works plans to ensure they are fit for purpose and responsive to the strategic aims of the Estates function
• In partnership with the DWP Asset Management Function, demonstrate that all lifecycle works plans are appropriately prioritised and ensure budget applications are accurately formulated
• Act as a senior enabler to the delivery of the lifecycle works programme, ensuring the annual budget is appropriately and fully utilised, developing streamlined reporting and assurance mechanisms and ensuring complete transparency of data
• Responsibility for the management of risk across the Lifecycle, Fire Safety Improvements and Minor Works portfolio, resolving and mitigating where possible, escalating where appropriate
• Work collaboratively with Category Management to develop and maintain an engaged, agile and high performing network of supply chain partners
• Ensure that all project activity is delivered in full compliance with industry Health & Safety, statutory compliance obligations and Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP’s), taking swift corrective action on areas of non-compliance

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Significant demonstrable project management experience in a complex estates function
• Extensive experience and a proven track record of delivering major asset driven PPM programmes
• Detailed working knowledge and proven ability to deploy a full range of construction procurement and contracting strategies
• Detailed understanding and practical experience of ensuring compliance with all construction industry Health and Safety legislation
• Strong working knowledge and demonstrable experience in the practical application of the NEC4 suite of contracts for both professional services and construction works
• Experience of analysing and providing assurance of detailed real estate asset data and developing PPM schedules aligned with investment budgets
• Strong commercial experience gained within the Property/FM division of a complex, matrix organisation
• Management of external suppliers/contractors who deliver a wide range of project activities, from design phase onwards
• Influential and able to lead key senior stakeholders towards Commercial solutions that give a balance of optimal commercial performance whilst delivering on business and portfolio strategy
• High level management of key suppliers in negotiations, managing and escalating issues, and engaging in key decision making with strategic consequences
• Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making
• Extensive experience of Project Management - excellent organisational skills supported by robust planning and prioritisation
  Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential

• Working towards membership of a construction industry professional body, e.g. MCIOB, MRICS, MAPM, IWFM with a preference if already held

Desirable

• Honours degree in a construction related discipline
• Working towards a recognised health and safety qualification, e.g. IOSH, NEBOSH or SMSC with a preference if already held
• Working towards a recognised project management qualification, e.g. Prince2, with a preference if already held

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

This role sits within the following:

• Job Family – Property & Construction Projects
• Core Role - Property & Construction Project Management
• Level – Senior Practitione