Capital Project Manager

The role of Capital Project Manager is to be responsible for the briefing, procurement, design and delivery of an 1880s warehouse in the London Borough of Newham. Following an open tender process, Create London recently secured the lease of the building and Levelling Up funding. Our ambition is to unlock the potential of this iconic local landmark and transform the building into a thriving and dynamic hub for creative workspaces, culture and community wellbeing. Working closely with Newham Council and local stakeholders, the Capital Project Manager will lead the onsite day-to-day delivery of the project. You will be working closely with a wide team of consultants and specialists including architects, M&E, Structural & Civil Engineers, QS, Heritage & Conservation Consultant and engagement coordinators.

We are looking for a person with strong capital project management skills. The successful candidate will bring a positive can-do attitude and be able to manage multiple tasks and activities. As a keen problem-solver and an excellent communicator, the postholder needs to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders to effectively meet overarching programme deadlines and navigate complexities across all phases of the capital project. The candidate will also monitor project budgets, oversee reporting to funders and chair project meetings.

Also essential is an appreciation of the fluid and responsive nature of a small arts organisation and willingness to contribute to an environment where creatives, audiences, staff and supporters feel valued and are encouraged to thrive.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management

• Act as the main liaison between the Client Project Team and the external Project Team, specifically the Design Team, the Council and the Contractor. Deliver on client-side items of priority, managing the project workstreams using the RIBA Work Plan to ensure project objectives and milestones are met; Manage, update and report on the project risk register in close liaison with the Head of Strategic Operations and review mitigation strategies; Manage and monitor the programme of activities to ensure that key milestones are met. Work closely with the Create London Senior Curator and Engagement Coordinator to collate feedback from local stakeholders, ensuring these are reported back to the working group and are informing the project to deliver the required Social Value and Impact; Manage procurement of consultant services; Schedule, chair and manage fortnightly project team meetings with internal and external stakeholders; Schedule and minute Steering Group meetings; Manage change request processes on behalf of the Client Team and in close liaison with the external Project Manager. Input project updates into Progress and Monitoring planning document, providing progress briefings as necessary; Attend funder review meetings when required; Actively contribute to environmental sustainability, working to reduce the project’s carbon footprint. Oversee, and when appropriate, draft project policies and plans, including but limited to the Health & Safety, Environmental Sustainability Strategy, Management and Maintenance, Heritage & Conservation Plan and Access Plan.

Finance

• Manage and monitor the project budget with oversight from the Head of Strategic Operations; Monitor expenditure and project cash flow to ensure spending is in line with funding conditions; Lead value engineering exercises on behalf of the Client Team, in close liaison with the external Project Manager and QS; Work with the external Project Manager, Create London’s Head of Development and QS to ensure invoices and cost estimates are included as part of funder claims.

Legal

• Ensure that all areas of the capital project meet current legal requirements and that required insurances and other legal frameworks are in place at all times; Broker agreements with project partners and ensure all contracts and agreements are in place; Ensure that all funding agreements and deliverables are agreed with external partners in advance, understood internally and kept on track throughout the lifespan of the projects.

Other

• Work closely with the Communications Manager and external project partners to ensure the capital project is visible and promoted effectively, in line with the corporate communications strategy; Support project advocacy with invested and interested parties including but not limited to the Local Authority, funders, local community groups and wider staff; Work closely with the Head of Development to develop and sustain effective relationships with Create London’s major funders and supporters, and to ensure the project meets obligations to funders; Contribute to fundraising reporting and evaluation as necessary; Report to Create London’s Board of Trustees as required; Protect and enhance the reputation of Create, presenting the organisation in an appropriate and professional manner to stakeholders.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• At least 5 years’ experience in capital project delivery work, and/or Buildings & Facilities Management; Experience of managing consultants, construction contracts and expert advisors; Knowledge of health & safety, CDM regulations and planning procedures; Experience of managing consultant and, acting as or on behalf of the client Knowledge and the ability to use project management techniques, tools and documentation, such as Gannt charts and change control procedures; Sound working knowledge of IT systems and networks; Experience of scheduling, attending and chairing formal and informal meetings; Understanding of the legal requirements for capital projects;

Desirable

• Experience of managing people, with a strong ability to build team-spirit in the workplace; Experience of working in arts organisation or charity, including the legal requirements of a public building; Experience of working across and beyond the arts and cultural sector, including local authorities. Experience of managing a budget over £1mill.

Competencies

• Excellent administrative and communications skills, both written and verbal; Excellent ability to multitask, delegate and prioritise within a busy working environment; Strong cultural diplomacy and interpersonal skills to manage a range of externals stakeholders; Ability to work at both an operational and strategic level; Flexible and adaptable, able to adjust quickly to changing priorities and cope with complexity and change. Interest in architecture and visual arts, and working with architects, artists and communities.

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