Programme Lead

For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is one of the governments largest public service departments with a sizeable annual budget, serving over 20 million citizens.

The estate spans 1.4 million square metres across 800+ sites and supports around 78,000 colleagues.

Our vision includes DWP colleagues, supply chain, partners and, most fundamentally, the customers the Department exists to serve. They are the reason for our existence.

We are responsible for the day-to-day operation of our vast Estate by managing a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as Security Guarding, Maintenance, Property and Leasehold Management, Construction, Cleaning and Facilities Management.

DWP Estates is not just about maintaining buildings - its about transformation. Our strategic goals include:

• Transitioning to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate to meet future needs
• Investing in infrastructure through planned replacement works
• Embedding sustainability in line with Government Greening Commitments (GGCs)
• Delivering cost-effective services while maintaining high standards
• Creating a professional, best-in-class working culture across the Government Property profession

Our Estates strategy ambitions have been refreshed to take us through to 2030:

OPTIMISE: Continue to transition to a more affordable and adaptable DWP estate that creates productive environments

INVEST: Investment in an improved environment that better meets the needs of customers and colleagues and minimises service disruption

SUPPORT the drive for sustainability throughout DWP

DELIVER: Expertly deliver improving, cost-effective services for DWP

THRIVE: Continue to develop a working culture for DWP Estates that is best in class across government

There is no better time to join the award winning DWP Estates team.

This Programme Management role is based within DWPs Estates Function as part of Corporate Transformation and will be responsible for proactively managing the project related professional services consultancy and contractor supplier partners with a key responsibility in the oversight of how Project Management services are provided to successfully deliver a range of Capex Programmes across a large portfolio, along with budget challenge and approval for projects and give assurance to stakeholders in the delivery of projects. This role will work closely with colleagues across the Estates function and a full range of supply chain partners.

Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)

This role sits within the following:

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

Travel - Travel and overnight stays as required in line with project and programme expectations

Key accountabilities

• Develop and deliver a comprehensive strategy for Project Stakeholder management and engagement, including liaison with senior clients, internal and external stakeholders and supply chain partners to successfully deliver projects within their portfolio.
• Support the definition of a robust process to ensure long term strategic DWP sites are fit for purpose, allowing maximum occupation to support the Authorities business.
• Evaluate and approval of project feasibility reports
• Support colleagues in the development of Financial Business Case documentation for projects, and take responsibility for FBC2, ensuring projects are initiated on the basis of a defined scope, with robust cost and programme parameters.
• Responsibility for the successful E2E delivery of projects within their portfolio with contractual responsibility for and management of the supplier partners implementing the design and delivery of all construction/fit out works
• Support decision making on project procurement strategies
• Lead the project teams through the governance/financial approval and reporting processes for projects throughout the various RIBA stages.
• Taking corrective action at project level to mitigate against cost and/or programme overrun and provide clear escalations where appropriate
• Supports the Estates PMO through ensuring accurate contributions from the professional services and Contractor supply chain regarding projects scheduling, risk review, cost reporting, commercial compliance, change control and technical compliance with design and sustainability standards.
• Approval of detailed and technical design of projects
• Prepare and approval of FF&E schedules and procurement as require
• Provision and authorisation of Environment, Health and Safety standards, along with reporting of non-compliance and issue resolution
• Where deemed appropriate in partnership with professional services providers and in house commercial teams, prepare project bid documents, contribute to concept design, and undertake due diligence of main contractor selection
• Manage Project change and approval process
• Support a full independent cost management and review process, from estimating, cost planning, tender, contract award through to approval and settlement of final account
• Oversee and manage commissioning of snagging works, obtaining completion certificates and hand over to Service Delivery and the Integrator for BAU. Apply Government Soft Landings and BIM where appropriate.

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Project delivery experience gained within a Property, Facilities Management or similar complex function within a large, matrix organisation [Lead Criteria]
• Experience in a wide range of CAPEX related projects and activities from inception to completion, applying good commercial principles to multi-site CAPEX works delivery
• Influential in leading key stakeholders towards commercial solutions that give a balance of optimal commercial performance whilst delivering on business strategy
• High level management of key suppliers, able to support negotiations, management or escalation issues, and engage in key decision making that has strategic consequenc
• Knowledge and understanding of public sector procurement legislation and processes
• Proven track record of successfully delivering CAPEX projects within a real estate function, on time, within budget and to the highest standards of qualit
• Capable of providing detailed and accurate information to support Business Case submissions/funding application
• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in the successfully delivery of projects, acting as a focal point in problem-solving and escalation
• Knowledge of construction industry and workplace health and safety legislation

Qualifications/professional memberships

Desirable

• Member of a real estate/commercial professional body (RICS, CIOB, APM, IWFM, CIPS) or similar or working towards
• PRINCE2 or similar relevant project management qualification
• A relevant qualification to HNC level in property/real estate would be preferable